Health insurance for foreign employees

Coming to work in Poland is a great opportunity, but it also comes with responsibilities. One of the most important is health insurance. For many people—especially those on their first contract—the rules of the National Health Fund (NFZ), contributions, and choosing a private policy can be unclear.

In this guide, we explain how health insurance works for foreign employees, how the National Health Fund (NFZ) differs from private insurance policies, and when each solution is more advantageous. We will also show you how to avoid common mistakes and how to prepare documents for online purchase.

If you have an employment contract or a contract of mandate subject to ZUS (Social Insurance Institution), your employer will register you for health insurance with the NFZ (National Health Fund) using the ZUS ZUA form. From that moment on, you are entitled to benefits in Poland on the same terms as Polish citizens, which is confirmed by your visibility in the eWUŚ system.

The employer has 7 days from the start of employment to register with the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS). Health insurance contributions are financed from the employee's salary and transferred to the National Health Fund (NFZ). The insurance covers outpatient services, hospitalization, reimbursed medications, and emergency services. You can find more information about the relationship between the public system and private insurance policies in the text. NFZ vs. KL insurance.

After registering, you can add eligible family members (e.g., spouse, children) to the NFZ. You will need your PESEL number or, if you do not have one, your passport number. You can check your eligibility at the clinic through the eWUŚ system or download a confirmation from ZUS.

A private policy is necessary if you are not yet eligible for NFZ coverage (e.g., before starting employment), if you work on a B2B basis, or if the consulate requires insurance for a visa. Regulations usually require a minimum coverage of EUR 30,000, covering sudden illness, accidents, and medical repatriation.

The scope of coverage varies between insurers. Check the limits for medical expenses, dental care, medical transport, and assistance. We describe examples of coverage in the article on scope of protection.

For visa and residence purposes, the policy must meet statutory requirements (including coverage of at least EUR 30,000 and repatriation costs). After obtaining employment with the National Health Fund, you can still maintain a private package for faster access to specialists. Details can be found in the guide at insurance requirements.

A good choice starts with checking your status with the National Health Fund (NFZ) and your needs. Then compare at least three private offers in terms of sums, limits, and exclusions. Prepare your documents and purchase a policy online—it usually takes just a few minutes. If in doubt, contact a broker.

The price is influenced by factors such as age, length of coverage, sum insured, and scope of assistance. We describe the current cost dependencies in the guide at KL insurance prices. If your company provides a medical package, check whether it also covers sudden illness and repatriation required for a visa.

Private health insurance provides quick access to doctors and covers emergencies, but it does not replace public insurance. Once you start working, it is a good idea to have both NFZ and private insurance, especially during the first few weeks of your stay.

You can enter into a voluntary agreement with the National Health Fund (after meeting the conditions) and purchase a private insurance policy at the same time. This will give you more comprehensive access to treatment and protection in emergencies and for visa purposes.

If you want to know how public and commercial system sharing works, check out the guide. NFZ vs. KL insurance. This makes it easier to plan for continuity of care upon arrival.