Health insurance for foreigners in Poland

In Poland, health insurance for foreigners is necessary for people staying in the country for longer than a short tourist stay. In this guide, we will discuss basic information about health insurance for foreigners, the types of insurance available, the process of concluding a health insurance contract, and the costs and benefits of having such insurance. We invite you to read!

Basic information about health insurance for foreigners

What is health insurance for foreigners?

Health insurance for foreigners is a type of insurance policy that covers the costs of treatment and medical care for people who do not have Polish citizenship and stay in Poland. Depending on the type of insurance, it may cover both basic medical benefits and additional services, such as dental treatment or rehabilitation. Poland has different rules regarding health insurance for foreigners, depending on their legal status, length of stay and country of origin.

Why should foreigners staying in Poland have health insurance?

Health insurance for foreigners is important for several reasons. Firstly, it provides access to medical care in the event of a sudden illness or accident. Secondly, the lack of health insurance can lead to serious financial consequences, as treatment costs in Poland can be high, especially in the case of specialized medical services. Thirdly, having health insurance is often required by Polish authorities to obtain a visa, residence permit or when registering your stay. Therefore, foreigners staying in Poland should ensure appropriate health insurance to avoid legal and financial problems.

Differences between health and travel insurance

While both health insurance and travel insurance are designed to provide protection in the event of health problems, there are some differences between them. Health insurance focuses primarily on covering the costs of treatment and medical care, while travel insurance may also cover other aspects, such as the costs of returning to the country of origin, luggage insurance or civil liability.

It is worth choosing health insurance if you plan a longer stay in Poland, e.g. for work or study, because it provides a wider scope of health protection. In turn, travel insurance is usually sufficient for people visiting Poland for a short period of time, e.g. for tourist or business purposes.

Types of health insurance available to foreigners

Polish public health insurance for foreigners

Polish public health insurance is one of the types of insurance for foreigners that provides access to medical care under the National Health Fund (NFZ). Foreigners who work or study in Poland may be covered by this insurance if they meet certain conditions, such as having a valid residence permit or employment contract. The advantage of this type of insurance is the ability to use a wide range of medical services, including hospital and outpatient treatment and rehabilitation. However, the disadvantage may be a longer waiting time for some services and the need to pay health insurance premiums.

Private health insurance - when is it worth considering?

Private health insurance or private medical insurance is another option for foreigners who want to take care of their health during their stay in Poland. It is especially recommended for people who do not have access to public health insurance or want to use additional medical services, such as private clinics or specialized tests. Private health insurance may also be a good solution for people who value quick access to doctors and a higher standard of medical care. However, it is worth remembering that the costs of such insurance may be higher than in the case of public health insurance.

European Health Insurance Card - who can use it?

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is a document that allows citizens of European Union countries, the European Economic Area and Switzerland to use medical care on the same terms as citizens of a given country. In the case of Poland, people with EHIC can use medical services under the National Health Fund. This card is particularly useful for people who stay in Poland for a short period of time, e.g. for tourist or business purposes. To use EHIC, you must report to an NFZ branch with your card and ID.

Health insurance during your stay - who is it for?

Health insurance during your stay is a type of insurance intended for people staying in Poland for a short period of time, e.g. for tourist, business or scientific purposes. This type of insurance may cover both basic medical benefits and additional services, such as medical transport or luggage insurance. Health insurance during your stay is usually required by the Polish authorities in order to obtain a visa or residence permit. It is worth paying attention to the scope of benefits and the sum insured to make sure that the insurance will suit our needs.

The process of concluding a health insurance contract

What does the process of concluding a health insurance contract look like?

Concluding a health insurance contract for foreigners in Poland may vary depending on the type of insurance you choose. In the case of health insurance for family members and voluntary health insurance under the National Health Fund, this process usually involves reporting to the appropriate branch of the National Health Fund with the required documents, such as an identity card, residence permit or employment contract. Then, after submitting the application and paying the premium, we receive a document confirming health insurance.

In the case of private health insurance, the contract conclusion process may take place online or directly at the insurer's branch. Required documents may include proof of identity, proof of address and, in some cases, health information. After selecting the appropriate offer and paying the premium, we receive the original health insurance contract and the insurance policy.

Document confirming health insurance - what should it contain?

The document confirming health insurance should contain information about the insurer, the insured person and the scope of services covered by the insurance. In the case of health insurance under the National Health Fund, the confirmatory document is usually an insurance card containing the insured person's data, PESEL number and information about the insurance validity period. In the case of private health insurance, the supporting document may be an insurance policy or a special certificate issued by the insurer.

What documents are needed to conclude health insurance for foreigners?

In the case of concluding health insurance for foreigners, the required documents may vary depending on the type of insurance and the situation of the policyholder. Examples of documents that may be needed include:

ID card (e.g. passport)
residence permit (temporary, permanent or long-term)
employment contract or employment certificate
certificate of arrival
confirmation of payment of the insurance premium
in the case of foreign insurance, a document confirming the validity of the insurance in Poland (e.g. insurance policy with a clause covering Poland)

It is worth noting that the required documents may vary depending on the individual situation and the selected insurer. Therefore, before concluding a health insurance contract, it is worth consulting the insurer or the appropriate branch of the National Health Fund to obtain detailed information about the required documents.

Costs and benefits of health insurance for foreigners

How much does health insurance for foreigners cost in Poland?

The cost of health insurance for foreigners in Poland depends on the type of insurance and the individual needs of the insured person. In the case of voluntary health insurance from the National Health Fund (NFZ), the cost is approximately PLN 380 per month. However, insurance for treatment costs in private medical facilities may have different prices, depending on the scope of services, the sum insured and possible additional options, such as dental or rehabilitation insurance. Prices for such insurance start from approximately PLN 100 per month.

It is worth noting that insurance in Poland may also be part of a larger insurance package covering other countries. In this case, the cost of insurance may be higher, but at the same time provide greater coverage.

What treatment costs are covered by health insurance?

Medical health insurance for foreigners can cover various costs related to treatment. In the case of health insurance under the National Health Fund, the costs are covered by the Fund, including basic medical services, such as visits to a specialist, diagnostics, hospital treatment, rehabilitation and prescription drugs. However, it is worth remembering that some benefits may be available only after paying an additional fee, e.g. for reimbursed drugs.

In the case of private health insurance, the scope of coverage of treatment costs depends on the individual contract with the insurer. It may include both basic benefits and additional services, such as dental treatment, rehabilitation, prescription drugs or medical services abroad. It is worth checking the terms of the contract carefully to learn the detailed scope of benefits and possible limitations and exceptions.

Reimbursement of medical expenses - when is it possible and how to obtain it?

Reimbursement of treatment costs may be possible if the insured person incurs the treatment costs himself and then submits an application for their coverage by the insurer. The terms of reimbursement depend on the type of insurance and the individual contract with the insurer.

In the case of health insurance under the National Health Fund, reimbursement of treatment costs may be possible if the insured person used medical services outside the National Health Fund, e.g. in private facilities. In such a case, you should apply to the appropriate branch of the National Health Fund to cover the costs of treatment and provide documentation confirming the expenses incurred. The decision to reimburse costs depends on the assessment of the National Health Fund and the compliance of the incurred expenses with the regulations.

In the case of private health insurance, the process of obtaining reimbursement of treatment costs depends on the terms of the contract and the insurer's procedures. Typically, you are required to submit an application for reimbursement, provide medical documentation and receipts confirming the expenses incurred. The insurer evaluates the application and decides on the amount of reimbursement of treatment costs.

Summary

In the article, we discussed the most important aspects related to health insurance for foreigners in Poland. We presented basic information about health insurance, the differences between health insurance and travel insurance, and the types of insurance available to foreigners. We also discussed the process of concluding a health insurance contract, documents needed to conclude insurance, and the costs and benefits of health insurance for foreigners.

We emphasized that health insurance is necessary for foreigners staying in Poland, both for legal reasons and to ensure access to medical care. We have pointed out different types of health insurance, such as Polish public health insurance from the National Health Fund, private health insurance, the European Health Insurance Card and health insurance during your stay.

We also discussed the costs of health insurance for foreigners in Poland, depending on the type of insurance and the individual needs of the insured person. We presented what treatment costs are covered by health insurance and when and how to obtain reimbursement of treatment costs.

To sum up, health insurance for foreigners in Poland is crucial to ensuring access to medical care and compliance with legal regulations. Choosing the right type of health insurance and being aware of the costs and benefits of having health insurance will allow foreigners to have a safe and comfortable stay in Poland.