Health Insurance for Foreigners in Poland – New Regulations for 2025

Changes to the insurance system in 2025

The year 2025 brought a number of changes in the area of Health Insurance for Foreigners in Poland. The amendment to the Act on Health Care Services Financed from Public Funds, which took effect on January 1, aims to simplify procedures, tighten the system, and increase access to medical services for foreign nationals legally residing in the country. In this article, we will discuss the most important changes and their practical implications.

Who is covered by the new regulations?

The new regulations primarily apply to foreigners holding a valid residence permit in Poland—including those with a long-term visa, a residence card, temporary protection, or humanitarian status—as well as third-country nationals who are working, studying, or conducting business here. Until now, there have often been situations in which foreigners were unable to fully benefit from the Polish healthcare system due to unclear regulations—the amendment is intended to change this.

Insurance Requirement—What’s Changing?

Starting in 2025, every foreign national applying for legalization or extension of their stay must present a valid Health Insurance for Foreigners in Poland. This applies to both National Health Fund (NFZ) insurance (voluntary or mandatory) and private insurance policies that meet specific criteria: they cover a minimum of 30,000 euros in medical treatment, hospitalization, and medical transport costs.

New Criteria for Private Insurance Policies

Starting in January 2025, stricter guidelines will be in effect regarding KL Travel Insurance for Foreigners. To be recognized by Polish immigration authorities, policies must include: – no deductible for medical expenses, – full coverage of rescue and emergency medical treatment costs, – a guarantee of coverage for hospitalization costs, – a translation of the General Terms and Conditions into Polish.

Voluntary Health Insurance with the National Health Fund (NFZ)

Voluntary insurance remains an alternative to private insurance Insurance for Foreigners in Poland under the National Health Fund. In 2025, the paperwork required to enroll was reduced, the deadlines for reviewing applications were shortened, and the option to confirm premium payments electronically was introduced. The current grace period is 30 days.

Health Insurance for Children of Foreign Nationals

One of the most significant changes is the requirement that all children residing in Poland be insured, regardless of their parents’ status. This means that children of foreign nationals must have valid Health insurance for a foreign national from the moment of arrival. Failure to provide such documentation may result in refusal of admission to educational institutions or difficulties in accessing a pediatrician.

Requirement to Register Employees

Employers who hire foreign nationals are now required to enroll them in health insurance no later than the first day of employment. This change is intended to eliminate the exploitation of uninsured seasonal workers and reduce the informal economy in the employment of foreign nationals.

Inspections and Sanctions

The amendment to the regulations provides for increased checks on the validity of insurance—both at the time of submitting residence applications and at medical facilities. Using a fake insurance policy or lacking valid insurance may result in the denial of a residence permit, a fine, or the obligation to cover the full cost of medical treatment out of pocket.

Health Insurance for a Residence Card – New Procedures

Health Insurance for a Residence Card It must remain valid throughout the entire period while awaiting a decision and after the decision is issued. The new regulations require that you attach proof of premium payment or a copy of a valid policy, along with a translation. Failure to provide this document will result in the automatic suspension of the application.

Insurance for Undergraduate and Graduate Students

The rules for insuring foreign students studying in Poland have also been simplified. The number of required documents has been reduced, and participants in academic exchange programs can count on direct assistance from their universities in completing the necessary paperwork.

Where can a foreigner buy the best insurance?

When choosing insurance, it’s a good idea to compare both private policies and the options offered by the National Health Fund (NFZ). Specialized websites that provide overviews of current offers and help you choose can be helpful. Insurance for Foreigners based on the type of stay, age, and individual needs.

The Most Common Mistakes When Purchasing Insurance

In 2025, government agencies are paying particular attention to the accuracy of the information in the policy, the duration of coverage, and the scope of benefits. Common mistakes include: – choosing a policy that does not cover hospitalization costs, – failure to provide a translation of the terms and conditions into Polish, – paying for the policy only for part of the stay.

The Future of the Health Insurance System for Foreigners

The Ministry of Health has announced further improvements—including the integration of immigration systems with the National Health Fund (NFZ) database, streamlined online services, and the automation of applications. All of this is intended to make the health insurance system for foreign nationals more accessible and less bureaucratic.