Health Insurance

The main institution responsible for public medical services in Poland is the National Health Fund (Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia; NFZ). When insured at the National Health Fund, you can use state-funded healthcare services which are mostly free-of-charge, with rare exceptions for example in case of some dentistry services.

Public health insurance for employers

As a general rule, employees hired in Poland on the basis of an employment contract (umowa o pracę) and contract of mandate (umowa zlecenia), regardless of their nationality, are subject to compulsory health insurance. This means that the monthly insurance contributions are paid every month from your salary to ZUS – Zakład Ubezpieczeń Społecznych (Social Insurance Institution). The IBB takes care of your enrollment at the start of your employment and your monthly contributions to ZUS. Once you are enrolled, you get access to healthcare services available through the National Health Fund (NFZ).

Public health insurance for doctoral students

PhD students from the EU should have health insurance in their home countries. They are eligible for free health service in Poland providing that they present their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

If a person (including a foreigner) is not insured with the National Health Fund, he/she can use healthcare, but only for a fee. This applies to foreign PhD students from non-EU countries: if they want to get access to public healthcare services, they should sign a voluntary agreement with NFZ and pay their monthly insurance fee (PLN 55.80). The costs are reimbursed by IBB at the student’s request.

IF you want to join the NFZ public insurance, a person from the Welcome Center will guide you through this process after your arrival.

Private insurance programme for IBB workers and students

Additionally, you may join the private insurance programme which is available for IBB students and employees – PZU. If you are interested, please contact our payroll department for more information.

General practice doctor

General practice doctors (family doctors) are the doctors you can visit if you have any health problems. They can give you a referral for a specialists’ consultation and for primary medical tests. They can make treatment plans for basic healthcare problems and prescribe non-specialized medication.

How to find a general practice doctor?

First of all you should choose a clinic (przychodnia) where you will be using primary healthcare services. In order to do that you should sign the declaration and then choose your personal GP. You can fill out the declaration in person at the clinic you choose or online via the Internet Patient Account (Internetowe Konto Pacjenta, IKP). The second option requires you to have a trusted profile (profil zaufany).

The best option is to pick a clinic close to where you are staying and to make sure that your GP of choice speaks English.

Nighttime and holiday medical services

You don’t need an appointment to use medical services at night and holiday departments. If you need a medical service at night or during the weekend/holiday, you can find the nearest or specific night and holiday department, go there and follow the personnel’s instructions.

The nearest medical center which offers nighttime and holiday medical services (from IBB) is SZPITALNA IZBA PRZYJĘĆ at the Szpital Banacha hospital, which is located at a 5-minute walking distance from IBB (address: ul. Banacha 1 a, Blok D, ground floor). You should have your ID with you (passport or residence card) and confirmation of your PESEL number. In case you don’t have the PESEL number, your passport will also be accepted.

For more information please visit the website: https://www.migrant.info.pl/Health_insurance_and_medical_care.html