Health insurance for foreigners in Poland - key information

Health insurance for foreigners in Poland is an important element ensuring access to medical care and a required condition for legalisation procedures. The main forms of health protection for foreigners are ZUS health insurance and access to benefits under the National Health Fund.

Legal requirements for health insurance for foreigners

The legislation imposes an obligation on all foreigners to have valid health insurance throughout their stay in Poland. This insurance is necessary in order to obtain or extend a residence permit - its absence may result in a refusal to issue a permit. Proof of health cover or sufficient funds to cover medical expenses is required. The insurance must cover at least the costs of hospital treatment, outpatient treatment and medical transport, and the minimum sum insured should be €30,000 or the equivalent in PLN.

ZUS health insurance - for working foreigners

Most often, foreigners working under an employment contract are covered by the Social Security health insurance. This insurance arises automatically with legal employment, as the employer is obliged to report the employee to the Social Security and pay health contributions. ZUS insurance provides the full range of benefits available under the National Health Fund.

Self-employed persons can voluntarily join the Social Security health insurance by paying a monthly contribution, which currently amounts to approximately PLN 450.

Access to the NFZ for foreigners

Thanks to insurance with the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS), foreigners are entitled to medical services under the National Health Fund (NFZ) on the same basis as Polish citizens. This includes visits to the family doctor, consultations with specialists, diagnostic tests, hospital treatment and reimbursed medicines.

The family of the insured foreigner (spouse, children, dependent parents) can also benefit from the NFZ, provided that the relationship and low or no income of their own is documented.

Procedure for obtaining health insurance from ZUS

1. Report to the ZUS branch with the required documents.
2. Completion of the application for health insurance coverage.
3. Submission of documents proving the basis of insurance (e.g. employment contract, business certificate, university certificate).
4. Payment of the first health contribution (in the case of a business).
5. Receipt of confirmation of insurance.

Documents required include passport, residence permit (if held) and proof of employment or status.

Importance of continuity of insurance and duties of foreigners

Continuity of contribution payments is very important - interruptions may result in loss of entitlement to health benefits. If you change your job or residence status, you should update your data with the Social Security immediately.

Offices processing residence permit applications check the continuity of health insurance, and arrears in contributions may lead to a refusal to extend the permit.

Medical coverage for insured foreigners

Health insurance provides access to:

• visits to the GP,
• specialist consultations,
• diagnostic tests,
• hospital treatment,
• reimbursed medicines,
• medical rehabilitation.

The scope of benefits is the same as for Polish citizens.

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

Those insured under the Polish health system can obtain an EHIC Card, which allows them to receive medical care in other EU countries on the same basis as citizens of those countries.

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Having valid health insurance is therefore crucial for foreigners in Poland, both for reasons of access to medical care and legal requirements for legalisation of residence.