Insurance for a Residence Card – What Must the Policy Include?

There is no single, universal set of requirements for insurance tied to a residence card. The requirements pertain to the terms of a specific permit, not the plastic document itself. Therefore, before purchasing a policy, you should determine the basis for your stay, check the current requirements of the relevant authority, and only then assess whether a given policy meets those conditions. In several key procedures, the regulations allow for confirmation that the insurer covers medical treatment costs in Poland. However, this does not mean that there is a single mandatory coverage amount; you must compare the policy terms with the requirements of the relevant procedure. Below, we explain exactly what the insurance document should confirm, how to distinguish between residence requirements and visa requirements, and which elements you should check before submitting your application.

What Does Residence Card Insurance Really Mean?

The most important distinction is this: an insurance requirement is linked to the legal basis for residence, not just the residence card itself. The card confirms the holder's eligibility, but does not establish a single list of policy terms and conditions that applies to all foreign nationals.

The Act on Foreigners provides for the following in certain proceedings a choice between health insurance and a confirmation from the insurer that it will cover medical expenses within the territory of Poland. This condition applies, among other things, to temporary residence and work permits, family reunification, and EU long-term resident permits. However, each of these procedures has its own requirements, exceptions, and list of required documents.

Example: An applicant applying for a work-related visa should check the requirements for a temporary residence and work permit. An applicant joining a family should follow the rules regarding family reunification. The same document title does not imply the same legal situation.

So you shouldn’t start by asking, „Which policy is required for a residence card?” A better question is, „What kind of proof of insurance does my application require?” A guide on this topic will also be helpful, How to Choose Insurance for a Visa and Residence Permit.

How to Review an Insurance Policy Before Purchasing It

The review of an insurance policy should begin with the document received after the contract is concluded and with the terms and conditions of coverage. The trade name alone is insufficient. The document must enable the authority to precisely determine who is covered, the territorial scope of coverage, and the policy’s validity period.

Before you buy, check:

It's a good idea to read this beforehand How does a KL policy differ from travel insurance?. A similar name or online listing does not mean that the two products have the same purpose and the same documentation.

The 2026 documents from Compensa Cudzoziemiec and TUZ Ubezpieczenia describe two specific examples of coverage, but do not provide a ranking. The 2026 Compensa Cudzoziemiec document describes coverage for the financial consequences of medical treatment in the event of a sudden illness or accident during a stay in Poland. In contrast, TUZ Ubezpieczenia’s General Terms and Conditions from 2026 focus on the medical costs of foreigners staying in Poland. In this document Accident Insurance (NNW) and Personal Liability Insurance are additional coverage options, which expand the basic scope of coverage. They should not be considered an automatic part of the standard package nor as required by the agency without a clear legal basis.

This information helps you understand the documents, but it does not allow you to accurately identify the „best” policy or compare prices. Without quotes tailored to the same person, the same time period, and the same coverage, such a comparison would be misleading. We also describe useful evaluation criteria in our guide on how to understand Insurance for Foreigners and Government Requirements.

How to Prepare Documents for the Government

The insurance policy alone may not be sufficient to satisfy the documentation requirements. The official guidelines on family reunification specify that a document confirming insurance coverage or the insurer’s coverage of medical expenses in Poland must be provided. The same guidelines note that documents that are closely related should be submitted together and remain valid as of the date the decision is issued.

The practical procedure is simple:

1. Determine the exact type of permit, for which you are applying.
2. Open the current instructions from the relevant agency and review the list of documents required for this procedure.
3. Compare the details, coverage area, and coverage period listed on the policy with the information in the application.
4. Keep the policy document, the insurance terms and conditions, and the confirmation required for your case.
5. Before issuing a decision, check whether the coverage and documents are still valid.

The validity of documents remains important even after they have been submitted. If the proceedings take longer than expected, do not assume that a document valid on the date the application was filed will be sufficient at a later date. If you receive a request for additional information, respond precisely within the scope specified by the agency.

You should also exercise caution when dealing with copies and translations. Check the required method for submitting the document for your specific procedure, because the instructions for one case do not automatically apply to every other case.

Why Visa Requirements Must Not Be Copied

The most common mistake is to apply the visa requirements to the residence permit application process. Official information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs specifies a minimum amount of 30,000 EUR for travel medical insurance when applying for a visa. This is a visa requirement, not a confirmed universal amount for a residence insurance policy.

If the authority or legal basis applicable to your case does not specify this amount, you must not add it as a mandatory requirement simply because it frequently appears in visa-related materials. Similarly, the territorial and temporal conditions of visa insurance should not be automatically presented as parameters of every policy submitted in residence proceedings.

A visa and a residence permit are separate procedures. A single person may need documents for different purposes at various stages. Therefore, it’s a good idea to first determine the purpose of the application and only then choose the scope and duration of coverage.

The second mistake is expecting a guarantee of approval. The insurer describes the scope of the policy, while the regulatory authority evaluates the documents on a case-by-case basis. Purchasing the product does not guarantee a positive decision. If the facts of the case are unusual or if the agency has requested additional documentation, follow the instructions in the request and the rules of the applicable procedure.

FAQ

What to Do Next

First, determine the type of permit, review the guidelines from the relevant agency, and prepare a list of the information that the document must confirm. Next, compare these requirements with the policy and its terms and conditions. Keep all your documents and check their validity until the case is resolved.

If you need coverage for a foreign national’s medical expenses during their stay in Poland, you can calculate the premium and complete the verified purchase form on our website.

Before signing the contract, please read the policy document and the terms and conditions of insurance. In the event of any discrepancy between the general information and the requirements specific to your case, The proper basis and content of the agency's summons are of decisive importance, not the abbreviated term „residence card policy.”.