Next year Polish entrepreneurs must prepare for a crucial increase in financial burdens. The government's latest forecasts, revealed by the diary of Newspapers, indicate drastic increases in ZUS contributions and wellness contributions in 2026. The full monthly cost of moving business for many companies will increase by more than 270 PLN, which means an additional charge exceeding PLN 3200 per year. This is urgent information which requires immediate inclusion in the budgets and financial strategies of Polish companies.
Why are ZUS contributions increasing? fresh Government Forecasts
The amount of contributions to the alleged ‘large ZUS’ is straight linked to the projected average monthly remuneration in the economy. The basis for calculating contributions for entrepreneurs is 60 percent of this forecast national average. The government, as part of the update of the multiannual macroeconomic assumptions for the period 2025-2029, adopted on 16 July this year, revised its wage projections.
Although the fresh average wage forecast for 2026 PLN 9420, is somewhat lower than erstwhile assumptions (9518 PLN), this inactive means a crucial increase compared to the current levels. This change in forecasts translates straight into an increase in ZUS contributions to 2026, which may increase 8.6 percent. This is simply a key driver of the upcoming increase in costs for entrepreneurs.
What precisely will entrepreneurs pay?
The analysis of the data provided by the diary of Legal Newspapers and the calculations of experts indicate specific, severe amounts. The increase in contributions to the ‘large ZUS’ (without voluntary sickness insurance) alone will be around PLN 153 per month, which each year gives additional PLN 1836. But this is not the end of the raise.
The increase in the minimum wellness premium, which will besides increase, should besides be added to this amount. According to Piotr Juszczyk, the chief taxation advisor at InFakt, the full monthly cost of contributions paid by entrepreneurs, including both the Social safety Office and the minimum wellness contribution, may increase next year by PLN 270.38. On an yearly basis, this means an additional burden of almost PLN 3255.
According to the government forecast, the full monthly amount of ZUS contributions to entrepreneurs, including voluntary sickness insurance, will be 1926.76 zł. This is simply a crucial increase that requires companies to urgently revise their financial plans.
Who will the rise touch? Not all entrepreneur will feel the same way
It is worth noting that the upcoming increases concern primarily entrepreneurs who pay alleged "big ZUS". This means that these changes will include economical operators who are not subject to preferential arrangements specified as ‘start-up relief’ or ‘small ZUS plus’. These preferences are intended for recently established companies or those with lower revenues, providing them with lower loads in the first period of business.
For thousands of experienced entrepreneurs who have been making full contributions for years, growth will be felt directly. These companies, frequently with a well-established position on the market, will gotta include these higher costs in their current spending, which may affect their margins and competitiveness. This is so a challenge primarily for mature and unchangeable business in Poland.
What does this mean for Polish companies? Consequences of increased loads
The increase of ZUS contributions and wellness contributions by over PLN 3200 per year is simply a crucial burden, which may have broad consequences for the Polish SME sector. First of all, it means reduction in liquidity many companies, especially those with lower margins or operating in sectors with advanced competition. Entrepreneurs will gotta find ways to cover these additional costs, which could lead to respective scenarios:
- Increase in prices of products and services: To keep profitability, companies can be forced to rise prices, which will yet affect consumers.
- Investment limitation: Smaller measures in the company may consequence in a simplification in investment in development, innovation or modernisation.
- Pressure on employment: Increases in fixed costs may discourage occupation creation or, in utmost cases, force occupation cuts.
- Competitiveness decline: Polish companies can become little competitive compared to entities operating in countries with lower taxation and premium charges.
For entrepreneurs will be crucial urgent revision of budgets for 2026 and take into account these projected increases. It is besides worth consulting taxation advisers to optimise the remaining financial aspects of the business and minimise the negative effects of the increase in premiums.
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Bad news for companies. ZUS and wellness contributions will increase by over PLN 3200 per year
