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KL Health Insurance for Foreigners – What Is It and When Is It Required?

2025-03-262026-09-14

What is KL insurance for foreigners?

KL Insurance, or medical expense insurance, is the basic form of health coverage for people traveling abroad—including foreigners coming to Poland. It provides protection against high medical costs in the event of a sudden illness, accident, hospitalization, or medical transport.

This policy is required by government offices and consulates in the case of:

submitting an application for Schengen visa,
applying for a Type D national visa,
applying for residence card,
extension of legal residence in Poland.

When is KL insurance mandatory?

You must have medical expense insurance if:

You are not covered by the public health care system (e.g., NFZ),
You are applying for a visa or a residence permit,
You are in Poland for tourism, educational, professional, or family reasons,
You are waiting for a decision from the provincial office regarding the legalization of residence.

Failure to have adequate insurance may result in rejection of a visa or residence application.

What does KL insurance cover?

The scope of KL insurance coverage may vary depending on the company and plan, but it most often includes:

medical consultations (including specialist consultations),
hospitalization and life-saving procedures,
diagnostic tests,
purchase of medications prescribed by a doctor,
medical transport to a facility or to the country of origin,
Emergency interpreter assistance (optional).

The minimum coverage amount required by EU regulations is 30,000 euros, but it's a good idea to choose a higher level of coverage, especially for longer stays.

What are the benefits of having KL insurance?

Legality of Residence – meets the requirements of immigration law.
Health and Safety – protects against high medical costs.
Emergency Medical Care – access to private facilities without waiting in line.
Emergency Protection – It also operates at night, on holidays, and outside the city.

Where can a foreigner purchase KL health insurance?

KL Insurance for Foreigners You can buy insurance online—in just a few minutes, without leaving home. It’s important to:

choose a policy from a reputable insurer (e.g., Inter Polska, Compensa, PZU),
check whether the documents are accepted by government offices and consulates,
make sure you receive the policy immediately after purchase (PDF with an electronic signature).

On the website Polisarium.pl You'll find proven, ready-to-use options for foreign nationals—ones that meet the requirements for visas and residence permits.

What documents are required for KL health insurance for foreign nationals?

To purchase KL insurance, you usually just need to:

first and last name,
date of birth,
country of origin,
planned date of stay in Poland,
Email (to receive the policy).

The Most Common Mistakes When Purchasing KL Health Insurance for Foreigners

Choosing a sum insured that is too low (less than 30,000 EUR),
The insured person's last name is missing from the document,
The policy does not include a clause covering medical and hospitalization costs,
If there is no version of the document in Polish or English, the agency may not accept it.

KL insurance is not just a formality, but genuine health coverage for foreigners staying in Poland. It’s a good idea to secure the right policy before entering the country—it’s a requirement for obtaining a visa, a residence permit, and your safety.