If you are planning to study in Poland, you should be prepared to secure health insurance, as it’s mandatory for all international students in Poland throughout their stay. There are two types of health insurance in Poland, and each one of them has its own requirements, fees, and eligibility conditions. That’s why in this article, we will provide what you need to know about health insurance in Poland and how to prepare yourself.
Overview of Health Insurance in Poland:
International students in Poland who are pursuing a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree must have valid health insurance throughout their stay in Poland. Health care systems in Poland are either public health insurance (NFZ) or private health insurance plans. NFZ is a national health system covering most medical treatments at no or low cost. Private plans can provide faster access or cover gaps that public insurance may not fully include, but they can vary in scope and cost.
Public Health Insurance (NFZ):
The National Health Fund (NFZ) provides insured residents with broad healthcare services. If you sign a voluntary NFZ agreement and pay the monthly fee, you can access public clinics, hospitals, specialist care, and covered prescriptions without co-payment for most treatments.
Students who are not employed in Poland but would like to join the NFZ may do so by signing a voluntary contract at their local NFZ office. This contract must be registered at ZUS (Social Insurance Institution). The required steps are:
Presenting your passport.
Confirmation of your enrollment as a student.
Filling out the ZUS ZZA form.
The monthly contribution is around 55.80 PLN (approximately €11).
Private Health Insurance:
Students can also choose to have private health insurance in Poland. This includes international travel policies or full-coverage health plans from local insurers. A student’s health insurance policy required for a Polish visa has a minimum coverage amount of €30,000 for emergency healthcare and repatriation. Private health insurance providers include well-known companies such as AXA, Allianz Insurance Services, and Swisscare. Private insurance plans usually cover doctor visits, hospital stays, and ambulances.
Plans also come with various prices depending on services included, with low-priced policies limited to basic visits with a primary care doctor and high-priced policies involving specialist doctors or dental services. There are also waiting periods before services are accessed with
a private health insurance policy, unlike NFZ. Students often use private health insurance policies for a limited time before they switch to NFZ for long-term coverage.
Eligibility and Enrollment Requirements:
Students from the EU and EFTA countries can use the European Health Insurance Card System (EHIC) to enjoy the NFZ services like a local. Students from other countries can choose either NFZ insurance or private insurance. Insurance cards or certificates are required during the admission process. The types of insurance accepted include an NFZ insurance contract (ZUS ZZA card), a payment confirmation card, or a valid private insurance policy card.
For securing NFZ insurance:
First, sign the contract in NFZ branches (passport and student ID needed).
Then register the contract in the ZUS office using a ZZA form. ZUS will provide an account for your monthly payments.
For private insurance:
Buy a certified travel/health insurance policy (with a minimum of 30,000 euros).
Submit the card to your university office.
Documents required:
Passport.
Visa/Residence Card.
Student Status Confirmation.
Visa Requirement:
Schengen (student visa) usually requires health insurance that includes coverage of not less than €30,000.
How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Poland?
The price of health insurance in Poland depends on its type:
NFZ Public Insurance:
It costs approximately 55.80 PLN per month (about €11). Almost all major health needs are covered (inpatient treatment, surgery, specialists, medications) at no cost or low cost.
Private Insurance:
Prices depend on the type of coverage. A basic insurance package for students (coverage of 30k-50k) would cost around €100-€300 per year, and a full insurance package might cost several hundred euros.
Students tend to combine policies, for example, a short-term plan for emergencies (visa) and then NFZ or a private plan. Private plans may exclude pre-existing conditions and routine dental, but NFZ covers almost all medical treatment except some forms of elective dentistry, which is why it is strongly recommended once you arrive. Poland’s health insurance system has multiple legal requirements to allow access to high-quality care for international students during their studies. If you are unsure if you meet them or if you are dreaming of studying in Poland soon, fill out our Eligibility Form, and our team will contact you and help you figure it out.
