How Much Will Social Security Contributions for International Drivers Increase Next Year?

Contributions on the Rise Again

The draft budget assumes that the forecasted average wage in 2026 will amount to PLN 9,420. Compared with the current year’s figure of PLN 8,673, this represents an increase of PLN 747. This directly translates into higher ZUS contributions. Next year, carriers will pay on average PLN 313 more per month in contributions for each international driver. The scale of this increase becomes clearer when compared with previous years and the minimum wage.

Since 2022, when changes resulting from the Mobility Package were introduced, social security contributions for drivers have risen by as much as PLN 2,689 per month per employee. In January 2022, contributions were most often calculated based on the minimum driver’s wage, amounting to around PLN 1,263. Today, they are approaching PLN 3,952 – more than a threefold increase in just four years. Such a sharp rise in labor costs is too great a financial challenge for many carriers - comments Mateusz Włoch, Development and Training Expert, Inelo, Eurowag Group.

Unfair Competition as a Challenge in Transport

For the transport sector, an important issue is that not all companies pay contributions in line with the regulations – i.e., based on the forecasted average wage. There are cases where official payrolls are based on the minimum wage or amounts close to it, while the rest is paid illegally, “under the table.” The difference in contribution amounts between these two practices can reach as much as PLN 2,000 per driver per month.

How does this affect the transport sector? It creates significant market distortions. Companies that comply with the law and pay contributions on the full basis bear higher operating costs. Competitors that resort to illegal practices can offer lower transport rates but do so at the expense of compliant firms and the drivers themselves. Eurowag experts emphasize that fair practices are key here, as higher contribution bases translate into tangible benefits for drivers. They determine sickness pay as well as future pensions. Interestingly, drivers are increasingly aware of this and have started monitoring their contributions through the ZUS PUE platform.

Transport Under Increasing Pressure

International transport has long been grappling with rising operating costs, and further changes to the social security system only add to this pressure. The increase in the forecasted average wage is part of a broader trend of mounting burdens. Carriers point out that in addition to ZUS contributions, they must also take into account costs related to mandatory tachograph replacements, fuel prices, and rising road tolls.

For transport companies, the challenge is not only to keep track of ongoing regulatory changes but also to correctly calculate drivers’ wages. Attempting to interpret the law independently, given its complexity and frequent amendments, can lead to errors and financial risks. In such cases, it is worth seeking support from OCRK experts, who specialize in analyzing wages and ZUS contributions in international transport. Their assistance helps carriers comply with regulations and minimize the risk of irregularities in settlements - explains Kamil Wolański, Head of the Expert Department, Eurowag Group.

Time to Prepare

Although the draft budget assumes an increase in the forecasted average wage to PLN 9,420, this figure is not yet final. It will be confirmed in an official announcement by the Minister in the last quarter of the year. In previous years, such announcements were published in October or December, and they typically contained exactly the same figure as in the draft budget. This suggests that the current forecast is also likely to become the binding basis for contributions.

For carriers, this means the need to prepare for higher costs now. Work on next year’s budgets in many companies already involves renegotiating contracts with clients. The transport industry finds itself in a situation where each additional cost can determine profitability and competitiveness in the European market.

[1] Gov.pl, Draft Budget Act for 2026, August 2025

Source: INELO / Eurowag