Health insurance for a work visa: the law

Are you planning to work in Poland and applying for a work visa? One of the key requirements is valid health insurance. The consul will check whether the policy covers sudden illnesses and accidents, as well as medical transport or repatriation. Below, we explain the legal requirements and how to choose a document confirming your coverage. For context, see also a brief overview., why insurance is necessary is required upon entry.

In this article, you will find the legal basis, minimum policy coverage, and practical tips. We will also advise you when private insurance is sufficient and when it is worth switching to the National Health Fund after finding a job. For consistency throughout the process, a guide to work visa procedures.

The requirement to have medical insurance stems from EU and Polish regulations. At the EU level, it is regulated by the Visa Code (Regulation 810/2009), which applies to Schengen visas. Polish law—in particular, the Act on Foreigners—requires that persons entering and staying in Poland have their medical expenses covered. Consulates therefore require a document confirming valid coverage for the declared period of stay.

For a Schengen visa (type C), the insurance must cover the entire Schengen area, have a minimum sum of EUR 30,000, and cover sudden illness, the consequences of accidents, and repatriation of remains. The coverage must be valid for the entire duration of the planned stay. The policy should be issued to the passport holder and be valid without any gaps in the dates. An emergency center and cashless settlements make it easier to get help.

A national visa (type D) applies to longer stays in Poland. The consulate usually requires a policy valid in Poland for the entire period specified in the application. In practice, policies for foreigners in Poland with a minimum coverage of EUR 30,000 (or equivalent), providing treatment, medical transport, and repatriation, are accepted. After arrival and commencement of work, you can switch to NFZ insurance, but a valid private document is required when submitting the application.

To avoid requests for additional information, choose health insurance designed for foreigners. Pay attention to documents in English or Polish, clear dates and policy numbers, and 24-hour assistance. A guide on choosing insurance for a visa application.

When applying for a work visa, you usually need to present private insurance. Upon arrival, once your employer registers you with ZUS, you will gain access to NFZ. Until then, you must have a valid insurance policy. During the legalization of your stay (e.g., residence card), the office may also require confirmation of health coverage.

It is safest to purchase a policy for foreigners that is valid in Poland or in the Schengen area, depending on the type of visa. Check the sum, scope, and dates. When submitting documents, it is useful to have a short checklist and knowledge of how to avoid visa errors.

The employer registers the employee with the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS), and health insurance contributions entitle the employee to National Health Fund (NFZ) coverage. In practice, a private insurance policy is often maintained in parallel for the initial period to ensure continuity and additional benefits. This also facilitates any settlements for treatment before NFZ coverage takes effect.

Attach confirmation of the insurance agreement, the terms and conditions of the policy (abbreviated as OWU), the number and dates of validity, and data consistent with your passport to the application. The action plan from the article on the most common visa mistakes, so as not to waste time on corrections.