Why do foreigners need to have health insurance?

If you are planning to come to Poland, you will quickly notice that health insurance regulations and legal requirements go hand in hand here. The state expects foreigners to have a valid insurance policy already at the visa stage and later during their stay. This is not just a formality, but real financial protection in case of illness or accident. In this article, we explain where these requirements come from and how to choose a policy that meets the criteria of the authorities.

The requirement to have health insurance stems from two regulations: EU (Schengen) and national. At the Schengen level, travel insurance is mandatory when applying for a visa to ensure coverage of unforeseen medical expenses and possible return to the country. National law, on the other hand, requires that a person staying in Poland on a long-term basis has health insurance coverage in the territory of the Republic of Poland, e.g., through the National Health Fund (NFZ) or on the basis of a private policy that meets official requirements.

It is about health safety and system stability. The policy is intended to finance emergency treatment, hospitalization, or repatriation, so that foreigners are not left without support and the costs do not burden the public budget. In practice, it also makes things easier: many policies offer assistance and cashless organization of services, which speeds up medical assistance. For more background and examples, see our guide for foreigners.

For a Schengen visa, you need insurance covering medical expenses of at least EUR 30,000 and repatriation costs. The insurance must be valid for the entire duration of your planned stay in the Schengen area. For a national visa (type D), consulates also require a valid insurance policy for the duration of entry; for longer stays, the office will then expect confirmation of health coverage in Poland.

Schengen regulations stipulate a minimum of €30,000 for emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and medical and repatriation transport. In practice, many insurers offer options of €30,000 or €60,000, as well as assistance services, such as a 24-hour help center and cashless treatment arrangements. If you are aiming for a work visa, check the practical criteria in the article on choosing a policy. for a work visa.

For longer stays, the authorities may require confirmation that foreigners have real access to medical treatment in Poland. This may be membership in the National Health Fund (e.g., through employment or a voluntary agreement) or a private insurance policy that meets legal requirements. The choice depends on your residence and employment status and the length of time you plan to stay in the country.

The NFZ is a natural solution for people who are employed and pay contributions. Voluntary insurance with the NFZ is possible, but requires a separate procedure. A private policy is quick to obtain and often provides assistance and service in many languages. Students will find it useful to review the options in the material on insurance for students.

To meet legal requirements and avoid problems with the authorities, make sure that your policy includes key elements. Below is a short checklist.

Also remember about exclusions in the General Terms and Conditions, e.g. concerning chronic diseases, planned procedures, or dental services other than emergency care. When planning your work, take a look at the material on work visa procedures, to coordinate deadlines and documents.