Health Insurance and the Residence Card

Health Insurance and the Residence Card – Key Formalities

Do you want to live and work legally in Poland? One of the key documents that allows for a longer stay is residence card. However, to obtain it, you must meet several requirements—and one of the most important is having a valid health insurance. Find out how insurance affects the process of obtaining a residence card and what paperwork you need to complete.

Why is health insurance required for a residence permit?

Possession Health insurance for a foreign national This is one of the basic requirements for the approval of a residence card application. The provincial office requires confirmation that the person applying to legalize their stay in Poland will not be a burden on the public health care system.

Lack of insurance may result in:

a denial of a residence card,
the need to submit additional documents,
a delay in the entire process.

What types of health insurance are accepted?

In Poland, foreigners have two main options:

1. Voluntary Insurance with the National Health Fund (NFZ)

This public health insurance, which provides access to doctors, specialists, and hospitals under the National Health Fund system. To use it, you must:

sign a contract with a branch of the National Health Fund,
pay premiums regularly (approximately 719 PLN per month in 2025),
have a PESEL number or a temporary identification number.

2. Private health insurance

This is the most common solution for people who are unemployed or applying for a temporary residence permit. Insurance Policy for a Foreign National must meet the following conditions:

cover medical expenses (KL),
be valid throughout Poland,
have a guaranteed sum of at least. 30,000 EUR,
be valid for the entire duration of the stay.

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Health Insurance for Foreigners – For the Residence Card

What documents do you need to submit to apply for a residence card?

The following documents must be submitted along with the application for a residence card:

a copy of a valid insurance policy (with a translation if it is not in Polish),
proof of payment of the premium or a certificate confirming the contract with the National Health Fund,
other documents proving the legality of your stay, employment, or studies.

The insurance should be valid from the date the application is filed until the date the decision is issued – This often takes several months, so it’s a good idea to purchase a policy with a sufficiently long coverage period.

What if the insurance expires while I'm waiting?

In such a case, the agency may ask you to update your documents and provide a new policy. A gap in health insurance coverage could result in a negative decision, so it’s a good idea to keep track of the dates and renew your policy well in advance.

How much does health insurance for a residence permit cost?

Policy prices vary:

KL Private Insurance for 6 months: starting on 300 zł,
annual insurance: from 500 to 1,500 PLN,
voluntary insurance through the National Health Fund (NFZ): approx. 719 PLN per month (2025).

The choice depends on your individual situation and budget, but the most important thing is to meet the agency's requirements.

Insurance and the Residence Card – The Most Common Mistakes

Here's what you should avoid:

a policy that is too short (e.g., 30 days for a planned one-year stay),
no translation of the policy if it is issued in another language,
failure to pay the premium (even if the policy was issued),
purchasing an insurance policy that is not valid in Poland.

Health Insurance and the Residence Card They go hand in hand. To reside legally in Poland, you must have documented health coverage—whether private or public. The sooner you take care of this, the faster and easier it will be to complete the process at the government office.

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