The public healthcare system in Poland is managed by the National Health Fund (NFZ - Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia). Here is an overview of how the system works and how you can register for health insurance as a foreigner.

How National Health Insurance Works

In Poland, health insurance is primarily employment-based. If you are employed under an employment contract (umowa o pracę) or a contract of mandate (umowa zlecenie), you are mandatorily covered by the NFZ. Your employer is responsible for registering you with the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS), which automatically forwards your details to the NFZ. Your monthly contributions are automatically deducted from your salary.

Once insured, you have access to primary care physicians (GP), specialist care, hospital treatment, and state-subsidized medications. Note that while HIV treatment is guaranteed free for everyone regardless of insurance status, PrEP and many other specific sexual health services are often accessed through the private sector out-of-pocket, as they are not fully reimbursed by the state or the public wait times are too long.

How Foreigners Can Register

Registration rules differ significantly depending on whether you are an EU/EEA citizen or a non-EU citizen.

EU/EEA Citizens

If you are a citizen of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, you are often covered by your home country's social security system.

  • Temporary Stays: You can use your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to access necessary and unplanned medical treatment at public healthcare facilities.
  • Living/Working in Poland: If you move to Poland for work, you will be subject to compulsory health insurance, just like Polish citizens, and your employer will register you. If you are residing in Poland but are insured in another EU country, you can obtain full access by bringing an S1 form from your home country and registering it at your local NFZ branch.

Non-EU Citizens

Non-EU citizens must actively navigate their insurance options depending on their legal status:

  • Compulsory Insurance: If you are legally employed in Poland, you are mandatorily insured. Your employer handles your registration with ZUS and NFZ, and contributions are deducted from your pay.
  • Voluntary Insurance: If you are not employed (e.g., you are on a student visa or have a temporary residence permit without work), you can sign a voluntary health insurance agreement with the NFZ.
    1. Visit your local NFZ branch to sign the insurance agreement. You will need your passport and proof of legal residence (e.g., residence card, visa).
    2. Within 7 days of signing, submit the ZUS ZZA form to the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) to finalize registration.
    3. You must pay monthly contributions out-of-pocket to maintain coverage.

National Health Hotline

If you have questions about your NFZ insurance, patient rights, or how to navigate the healthcare system, you can contact the NFZ National Health Hotline (Teleplatforma Pierwszego Kontaktu / TIP):

  • From abroad / International format: +48 22 125 66 00
  • From within Poland (Toll-free): 800 190 590

Assistance is available in English.

The NFZ hotline is for information purposes only. In a medical emergency, call the European emergency number 112 or the Polish ambulance service at 999.