Foreigners' rights and insurance in Poland – a guide

When you are new to Poland, it is easy to get confused by terms such as NFZ, ZUS, private insurance, EHIC, visa, and residence card. In practice, one thing is most important: as an insured person, you have specific rights, regardless of your citizenship. The only difference is the source of your insurance and the procedure for accessing medical treatment.

In this guide, we explain what rights of foreigners insurance provides information on access to services under the National Health Fund (NFZ) and private insurance in Poland, and what to do in the event of a dispute over reimbursement or refusal of service. This will make it easier for you to assess whether your insurance of foreigners' rights actually protects you in everyday situations.

If you are covered by health insurance in the National Health Fund (e.g. through your job, business, family member or voluntary agreement), you are generally entitled to publicly funded healthcare services on the same terms as Polish citizens. In practice, this means access to a primary care physician, outpatient specialist care, hospital treatment, and partial reimbursement for medications, provided that you meet the system's conditions.

However, it is worth remembering that not every person residing in the country automatically has NFZ coverage. This is a common point of misunderstanding when someone assumes that legalization of residence alone gives access to public healthcare. If you want to get the basics straight, read the guide as well. basics of health insurance.

At the National Health Fund (as in private facilities), you have the right to information about your health condition, treatment plan, and costs that may arise outside the basket of services. You also have the right to medical records and copies thereof. This is important because records are often needed when changing insurance, continuing treatment, or pursuing claims.

„Foreigners” rights in Poland" are not limited to residence issues. In healthcare, the principle of equal treatment of patients in access to services applies if they are insured by the National Health Fund (NFZ). Language can be a barrier, but citizenship should not be one. It is worth asking the facility about the possibility of communicating in English or using an interpreter, especially in the case of hospitalization.

If you have private insurance (often chosen with a visa or residence card), your rights are primarily derived from the insurance contract and the general terms and conditions. This means that the key factors are: scope, limits, exclusions, and how assistance is organized (reimbursement or cashless through assistance). In many products for foreigners, the insurer is an institution that explicitly defines the „insured” as the foreigner for whom the contract was concluded.

In practice, a private insurance policy can cover the costs of treatment in Poland, organize visits, and sometimes also include additional elements, such as personal liability insurance. If you are considering choosing coverage, this article will be helpful. how to choose private insurance.

Yours foreigners' rights insurance is handled differently depending on the model. In the cashless mode, the insurer organizes the service and settles it with the facility. In the reimbursement mode, you pay yourself and then submit a claim for reimbursement. The general terms and conditions of private policies often specify that documents confirming expenses should include the insured's details, the facility's details, and the signature and stamp of the authorized person.

Many people buy insurance mainly because it is required for a visa or residence permit. This is an important reason, but not the only one. Check whether the policy works in practice: does it cover outpatient and inpatient treatment, how high are the sums insured, and are there limits on specific benefits? If you want to avoid common mistakes, see the material mistakes when choosing a policy.

If the insurer refuses to reimburse your costs or the institution questions your eligibility, this does not mean the end of the matter. As a customer and insured person, you have the right to file a complaint and receive a response. The insurance terms and conditions also include a provision that the response may be delivered electronically at the customer's request.

In disputes concerning insurance contracts, you can pursue claims before the court with jurisdiction over, among other things, the place of residence of the policyholder or the insured. In practice, it is worth starting by organizing your documents and the timeline of events, as this speeds up the assessment of the claim and reduces the risk of formal deficiencies.

When claiming reimbursement, follow this rule: the document must confirm both the medical service and the payment. Ask for an invoice or receipt with the patient's details and a medical description of the visit. If you have insurance, fill out the claim form and attach the required attachments. For hospital treatment, a full discharge summary is also useful.

Below you will find a short list that summarizes the topic of „insurance for foreigners” in Poland. Treat it as a starting point for a conversation with your employer, insurer, or medical facility.

If you are considering changing your insurance, see also this practical post. Can I change my insurance during my stay?.