In order that the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) may recognise the period of studies done abroad, it is necessary to first confirm the equivalence of the degree awarded with the relevant Polish university degree. Such equivalence may be stated either on the basis of international agreements or (if there are no such agreements) by means of nostrification.
If the given foreign university degree comes within the relevant international agreement, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education may, at the holder’s request, issue an opinion confirming the equivalence and the prescribed period of study completed abroad. Such an opinion may be issued by the Ministry only with regard to university (second or long cycle) degrees. For confirmation of the prescribed periods of doctoral programmes completed abroad contact directly the institution which conferred the degree or the assisting institution in Poland.
Documents of higher education that do not come under any international agreement should be submitted to ZUS together with the certificate of their nostrification.