Access to health care during a temporary stay in Poland

National Health Fund (Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia)

EU students

The European Health Insurance Card – what’s that?

EHIC is the only valid medical insurance document on the European Union territory, as far as free medical care is concerned. The EHIC can be used to cover any necessary medical treatment due to either an accident or illness within the European Economic Area (EEA). The EHIC entitles the holder to state-provided medical treatment within the country they are visiting and the service provided will be the same as received by a person covered by the country’s ‘insured’ medical scheme.
EU students should apply for this insurance card before they come to Poland. The application procedure is simple but it must be done in the health care units in the student’s country of origin. If you are not sure where the EHIC is provided, please consult with your university’s international office.
In Polish “the European Health Insurance Card” is “Europejska Karta Ubezpieczenia Zdrowotnego”.

How does the EHIC work in Poland?

• General practitioner. Go to a doctor who has a contract with the NFZ and show your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Primary health care comprises examination and consultation by a general practitioner. A doctor may also refer you to diagnostic tests, to a specialist, or to a hospital. Dispensaries (health centers) are open from Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. After 6 p.m. on workdays, as well as on Saturdays, Sundays and on holidays 24-hour care is provided by health units that have concluded contracts for this kind of service. They comprise out-patient care and home visits in case a patient’s condition is serious. The addresses and telephone numbers of health units providing 24-hour care are available in healthcare dispensaries.
  In Polish “a dispensary/ medical centre ” is “przychodnia”; “a pharmacy” is “apteka”; “general practitioner” is “lekarz pierwszego kontaktu”.
• Consultation with a specialist.  A general practitioner can give you a referral to a specialist. No referral is required to the following specialists: obstetrician, dentist, dermatologist, venereologist, oncologist, eye specialist, or psychiatrist. Note that free dental services are available only in the restricted scope. A list of free services and materials is available in the dentist's surgery. You will have to cover the costs of over-standard services and materials on your own. Polish citizens use mostly private dentist practices.
• Hospital treatment with the EHIC. In case of a sudden illness, accident, injury, intoxication or life threat you will receive necessary medical benefits in the hospital without a referral. Go to a hospital that has a contract with the NFZ and show your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). During a stay in hospital operations, diagnostic tests and medicines are provided free of charge. In case of an accident, injury, childbirth, sudden illness or sudden deterioration of the state of health call an ambulance (dialing 999 or 112) or go directly to a hospital, in particular to an accident and emergency department (SOR). Ambulance transport in such cases is free of charge. Show your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

International students from outside the European Union

International students who come from non-European countries need to have travel insurance which is required for the visa application. It is recommended that one renews it during studies, should it happen that an accident occurs. When in Poland, the students can choose if they wish to have private medical insurance or one obtained at the Polish National Health Fund (NFZ). Note that in case of having the NFZ insurance you do not have to pay for the visit first and then get a reimbursement, the treatment is for free within the scope of the insurance's guaranteed benefits. NFZ details in Wrocław:

NFZ Insurance Department
Generała Romualda Traugutta 55a, 50-416 Wrocław
Possibility of making an online appointment: https://rejestracja.nfz-wroclaw.pl/qmaticwebbooking/#/ - website in Polish language version. In point 1. one should select: "Ubezpieczenie dobrowolne" / voluntary insurance, in point 2. one should select date and time, in point 3. you provide your contact e-mail. It is not required that you make this online appointment though, it is an option.

• NFZ insurance costs 55,80 PLN per month. For the application procedure, you need the following:
  - an application form (provided by NFZ Insurance Department)
  - a copy of your passport and a valid visa
  - a copy of student’s ID
  - a confirmation from Wrocław University of Science and Technology (provided by Wrocław University of Science and Technology) that you are a student
  - in case of students who are minors parents' approval to sign the contract of insurance
  
  *The document is issued upon request. If you are a fee-paying student you can get it from Ms Katarzyna Grabowska - contact k.grabowska@pr.edu.pl or order the document via the IRC system. NAWA, Kalinowski and Erasmus Mundus Students should request for the issuance of the document at the Dean's Office.
  
  
• You can also buy a Euro26 Card which provides you with insurance in case of an accident and also gives you student’s discounts. The Euro26 Card is valid in the whole of Europe. For more appropriate information please consult the webpage.

Erasmus Mundus students

The Erasmus Mundus programme offers special cover to its scholarship students at no extra cost. Visits in dispensaries and hospitals are payable but you have to collect all bills to claim for costs refund. Information about the insurance for Erasmus Mundus students can be obtained from the programme's coordinator. Erasmus Mundus students can also be insured in the National Health Fund in Poland – the rules are the same as for international students from outside the EU. For more details concerning your insurance or application procedure in NFZ please contact the ICenter for International Relations staff.