Who is insured automatically?
- employees on an employment contract (contributions through the employer),
- people on a contract of mandate (umowa zlecenie) – subject to contributions,
- people running a registered business paying contributions to ZUS.
A contract for a specific work (umowa o dzieło) usually does not give you health insurance – check with your employer or ZUS.
What if I am not insured through work?
Foreigners with a legal residence basis (for example a temporary residence permit) can usually buy voluntary insurance from NFZ. The premium is announced each quarter by the regional NFZ office. For people without any residence basis, voluntary insurance may not be available – ask NFZ.
How do I use my insurance?
- Register with a primary care doctor (POZ) of your choice – you can change it up to 3 times a year free of charge.
- You do not need a referral for a gynaecologist, dentist, psychiatrist, oncologist, venereologist, ophthalmologist (and some other specialists) when treated under NFZ.
- Your PESEL number or insurance details are checked in the NFZ system (eWUŚ).
Ukrainian citizens
After the special act for Ukrainian citizens expired, rules for Ukrainians are in many cases the same as for other foreigners. Check your status with NFZ or on gov.pl.