Applications for certificates from the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS), such as US-56 and A1, are used to obtain official documents confirming the social security status of an entrepreneur, employee, or contractor. Depending on the purpose of the application, they differ in form and content, but both are intended to confirm the situation related to social security and health insurance.
US-56 is a form used to apply for a certificate of the amount of social security and health insurance contributions paid by an entrepreneur or their employees. It may apply to both contributions for themselves and for their employees. Such a certificate is often required by banks (e.g., when applying for a loan), courts (in alimony proceedings), or other institutions.
A1 is a form issued by ZUS (Social Insurance Institution) which certifies the social security status of a person working in more than one country of the European Union (EU), EFTA, or the United Kingdom. The A1 certificate confirms in which country social security contributions should be paid when working in different countries. It is particularly important for people employed in different countries or working abroad to avoid double insurance.