The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in Poland—Can Foreigners Use It?

The EHIC can assist a foreign national during a temporary stay in Poland, but the right to use the card does not stem from simply holding a passport. The key factors are being covered by the appropriate health insurance system in an EU member state, an EFTA country, or the United Kingdom, as well as the purpose of the visit. The card is intended to help you obtain necessary, unplanned medical care within the public health care system. However, it is not intended for treatment planned before your trip, nor does it serve as a solution for someone who has taken up permanent residence in Poland. Before traveling, it’s a good idea to consider three questions: where are you insured, what is the purpose of your stay, and which document applies to your situation. Below, we explain these differences and what to do if an eligible person does not have the card with them.

Can any foreign national use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in Poland?

No. Eligibility is determined by not citizenship alone, but rather on which insurance system they are covered by and the nature of their stay. A person insured in one of the EU or EFTA countries or in the United Kingdom may use the EHIC if they are staying in Poland temporarily—for example, as a tourist, to visit family, or for educational or study purposes.

A foreign passport does not automatically entitle you to benefits provided through the card. The key factors are insurance in a country subject to coordination and a document issued by the competent authority. Two people with the same citizenship may be in different situations if only one of them is covered by the relevant insurance system.

A student insured in an EU country who comes to Poland for a semester and has a valid card issued by their insurance provider is considered to be on a temporary stay. The situation is different for a person who has transferred their place of residence to Poland—for such a person, the appropriate document may be Form S1, rather than the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

If you want to get a handle on the basic concepts, be sure to also read What You Should Know About the EHIC in Poland and a guide explaining, When Can a Foreign National Receive Public Health Care in Poland?.

What does the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) cover in Poland?

The card's coverage is limited to medical treatment necessary and unplanned during a temporary stay. The benefit must be provided as part of public health care system. A person who presents an EHIC is treated on the same terms as those insured in Poland.

The EHIC does not entitle you to any specific treatment chosen in advance, nor does it mean that every service will be available at no cost. The following apply: the same rules as for those insured in Poland, and the card does not expand the scope of public benefits simply because the patient came from abroad.

Whether a specific benefit is necessary, The decision is made by the attending physician — takes into account the patient’s health and the planned length of stay. It is therefore difficult to provide a single, definitive list of services suitable for every person and every trip.

A sudden health problem during a short family visit may require assistance that cannot safely be postponed until your return. However, the final decision rests with the doctor. If the main purpose of the trip is pre-planned medical treatment, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not the appropriate document.

Read more about how it works public health care for foreigners. The official rules are also described in Information from the National Health Fund regarding medical treatment in Poland.

EHIC, S1, or S2—which document is appropriate for the purpose of your stay?

The choice of document depends on purpose of stay in Poland. The official rules distinguish between three situations:

• European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) — temporary stay. This applies, among other things, to tourist visits, family visits, and trips for the purpose of education or study.
• S1 — residence in Poland. This document applies to a person who lives in Poland, rather than someone who is merely staying here temporarily.
• S2 — scheduled treatment. It is appropriate when the purpose of the visit to Poland is prearranged medical treatment.

These documents should not be considered interchangeable. The EHIC does not replace the S1 form after a change of residence, nor does it replace the S2 form when the purpose of the trip is specifically to receive planned medical treatment.

It is advisable to clarify any doubts before traveling with the institution where the person is insured. A card issued for a temporary trip may not be valid if the purpose of the stay changes.

How can you prepare to use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)?

Before you arrive, determine whether your situation qualifies for temporary stay, and bring the document issued by the agency responsible for your health insurance. When seeking medical care, keep in mind that the EHIC is valid within the public healthcare system, and The scope of services is determined by a doctor based on their health status and length of stay.

Checklist:

If an eligible person is staying in Poland temporarily but does not have the card with them, they may present certificate temporarily replacing the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This document is issued by the institution with which the person is insured, upon the person’s request. The certificate helps document existing eligibility; it does not establish eligibility for a person who is not covered by the relevant system.

Not having your card in your wallet doesn't necessarily mean you can't prove your eligibility. In that case, you should contact the competent institution for insurance and request a certificate. For more practical information on this topic, see the guide that describes Rules for Using the European Health Insurance Card in Poland.

Frequently Asked Questions About the European Health Insurance Card in Poland

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and Private Insurance for a Stay in Poland

A foreign national may use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in Poland if he or she is covered by the appropriate health insurance system and is staying here temporarily. The card is used to necessary and unplanned medical treatment in the public health care system. If you are planning to reside in the country or receive medical treatment, you must select the document that corresponds to the purpose of your stay.

The EHIC and private insurance serve different purposes. You should not consider private insurance a substitute for the EHIC or use the EHIC to confirm the scope of your private coverage. If you need private health insurance for a foreigner staying in Poland, you can purchase a policy through our online form:

Before purchasing, review the terms and conditions of the insurance plan you've selected. This form applies to a private KLC policy, failure to issue or replace the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).