Étudier en Pologne

General Info

The insured students have the use of university health care clinics and health centres. Monthly insurance premiums for foreigners undergoing education in Poland - whether as undergraduates, doctoral students, or graduates doing a compulsory internship - are calculated on the basis of an equivalent of a long-term welfare benefit (at this writing, about EUR100). If a student, member of a doctoral course or graduate doing a compulsory internship has been recognised as a person of Polish descent within the meaning of the Repatriation Act, their insurance premium is paid by their host HEI or by the institution running the doctoral course. As for other foreigners undergoing education in Poland (i.e. persons who are neither students, members of doctoral courses, nor graduates carrying out compulsory internship), their monthly health insurance premium will be established on the basis of an equivalent of the average national monthly pay. The foreigners insured with the National Health Fund are exempt from the surcharge. Persons attending preparatory courses in Polish are entitled to the "student" treatment. Foreigners pursuing doctoral studies individually (i.e. not enrolled in a doctoral course) may take out a National Health Fund insurance, but their premium will be calculated as in the "other foreigners" case. For purposes of determining an amount of a student's insurance premium it is irrelevant whether he or she is on a scholarship provided by the Republic of Poland or is undergoing education under another financial arrangement. The students who choose not to take out health insurance in Poland can use paid services of private clinics and hospitals. Also, all foreign students have an option of purchasing additional accident insurance.

Access to health care during a temporary stay in Poland

National Health Fund (Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia)
1) Erasmus students

The European Health Insurance Card - what's that?
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) replaced the former E11 since the 1st January 2006. At the moment the 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. Erasmus 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 whether the EHIC is provided, please consult youruniversity's international office. In Polish the European Health Insurance Card is Europejska Karta Ubezpieczenia
Zdrowotnego.

How does the EHIC work in Poland?

a. 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 which have concluded contracts for this kind of services. They comprise out-patient care and home visits in case a patient's condition is serious. Addresses and telephone numbers of health units providing 24-hour-care are available in health care dispensaries.
In Polish "a dispensary" is "przychodnia"; "a pharmacy" is apteka; general practitioner is lekarz pierwszego kontaktu.

b. Consultation with a specialist
A general practitioner can give you a referral to a specialist. No referral is required to following specialists: obstetrician, dentist, dermatologist, venereologist, oncologist, eye specialist, psychiatrist. Note that free dental services are only available in the restricted scope. A list of free services and materials is available in the dentist surgery. You will have to cover the costs of over standard services and materials on your own. Polish citizens use mostly private dentist practices.

c. Hospital treatment with the EHIC
In case of a sudden illness, accident, injury, intoxication or life threat you will receive necessary medical benefits in hospitals without a referral. Go to a hospital which has a contract with the NFZ and show your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). During the stay in a hospital operations, diagnostic tests and medicines are provided are 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).

2) International students from outside the European Union
International students who come from non-European Countries have in most case, a private insurance which was required for the visa application. But this insurance covers mainly only accidents and do not cover general practitioner's consultation. For a general medical care insurance you have to apply at the NFZ department.

NFZ Insurance Department

NFZ insurance costs 37,80 PLN per month (≈10 EUR) and with this you can use the free medical care on the same rights as Polish citizens. For the application procedure you will need:

• an application form (provided by NFZ Insurance Department or by International Office),
• a copy of your passport,
• a copy of student's ID,
• a confirmation from the university (provided by International Office) that you are a student. You can also buy Euro26 Card which provides you an insurance in case of an accident and there are also student's discounts. The Euro26 Card is valid in whole Europe. For more appropriate information please consult this webpage.

3) Erasmus Mundus students
The Erasmus Mundus programme offers special cover to its scholarship students at no extra costs. Visits in dispensaries and hospitals are payable but you have to collect all bills to claim for costs refund. All information about the insurance for Erasmus Mundus students are on the European Commission's webpage.

Erasmus Mundus students can also be insured in National Health Fund in Poland - the requirements are the same as for the international students from outside the EU.