HEALTH AND SAFETY

Foreigners staying in Poland are required to have health insurance. Citizens from non-EU/EFTA member states have couple of options to purchase health insurance.

The first option is private health insurance purchased from commercial insurance companies. Many foreigners choose this solution because it is fast and flexible. Popular insurance providers in Poland include PZU, Allianz Poland, UNIQA Poland, Warta, Medicover among others. Private insurance can cover medical consultations, hospital treatment, emergency care and additional healthcare services depending on the selected package.

The second option is voluntary health insurance through the National Health Fund (NFZ). Public insurance gives access to healthcare services within the Polish public healthcare system.

Who can recieve voluntary health insurance from NFZ?

• non-EU/EFTA international students who study and live in Poland
• non-EU/EFTA international PhD students who study and live in Poland

Step 1. Prepare to apply for voluntary health insurance

To apply for voluntary health insurance, you should prepare some documents and visit the local NFZ branch.

What documents are required to sign the agreement?

Students and persons enrolled in PhD studies:

• a copy of the first page of your passport (with the photo covered)
• a copy of your valid student visa or Residence Card (front and back)
• a copy of a current certificate confirming student status (valid for 30 days from the date of issue)
• a copy of a document confirming residence in Poland

To register a family member for health insurance, you should additionally prepare:

• a marriage certificate (if your spouse has a different surname)
• a school or student ID card or a certificate confirming continuation of education (if your child is over 18 years old)

Note: You cannot register family members for health insurance if you are:

• a volunteer
• a foreigner who
  • is a student, doctoral student or a graduate completing a mandatory internship in Poland;
  • is a member of a religious order, a seminarian, postulant, novice, junior member of a religious order, etc.
  • attends a Polish language course or a preparatory course for studies conducted in Polish.

Step 2. Visit the local NFZ branch

With the documents mentioned above, you should visit the local branch of the National Health Fund (NFZ). At the office, you will be asked to complete a declaration of your insurance status and registration documents required for voluntary health insurance coverage.

Contact details - Lublin NFZ Branch

ul. Nadstawna 2/4, 20-120 Lublin
Website: NFZ Lublin
Phone: 81 53 10 598
E-mail: info@nfz-lublin.pl

Step 3. Submit the required documents to ZUS

After signing the voluntary health insurance agreement with the National Health Fund (NFZ), the insured person should submit the ZUS ZZA form to the appropriate Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) office for their place of residence.

Contact details - The Social Insurance Institution (ZUS)

Tomasza Zana 36, 20-601 Lublin
Website: ZUS
Phone: 22 560 16 00

For each month of health insurance coverage, the insured person is required to submit a ZUS DRA settlement declaration and pay contributions to the ZUS account.

The monthly contribution for foreign students and PhD students is PLN 55.80.

Step 4. Choose a primary care doctor (lekarz POZ)

Visit any NFZ-contracted clinic and submit a declaration form to register with a GP. This is your entry point to the public healthcare system.

If you are insured in an EU/EFTA country or the UK, you can receive free healthcare in Poland. For temporary visits (e.g. for teaching or study purposes), you need an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card), which covers necessary and unplanned treatment in the public healthcare system under the same conditions as Polish citizens. With an EHIC you can make an appointment with a doctor at any healthcare centre that has a contract with the National Health Fund (NFZ).

Detailed information about healthcare for EU/EFTA states/UK citizens can be found here: link

112 is general emergency number in Poland. The average time to answer a 112 call is 10 seconds. It is available free of charge throughout the European Union, both from landlines and mobile phones. The emergency number 112 can be dialled from a phone without a SIM card.

• 999 - ambulance
• 998 - fire brigade
• 997 - police

Your report should be short, clear and precise. It must contain information about:

In case of an emergency such as an accident, a life-threatening condition, injury, childbirth, sudden disease or health deterioration, you should call an ambulance or go to a local hospital. In such an event the necessary medical rescue services will be provided without a referral (e.g. a document directing a patient to a medical specialist by a GP). In the case of emergency situation, remember, that in a hospital you must present a valid EHIC Card or any other proof of health insurance. Otherwise, the cost of treatment must be covered from your own funds.

There are 4 emergency departments in Lublin.

1. Wojewódzki Szpital Specjalistyczny im. Stefana Kardynała Wyszyńskiego Samodzielny Publiczny Zakład Opieki Zdrowotnej

Address: Al. Kraśnicka 100, 20-718 Lublin
Phone: +48 81 537 45 00
Open: 24 hours a day

2. Samodzielny Publiczny Zakład Opieki Zdrowotnej Ministerstwa Spraw Wewnętrznych i Administracji w Lublinie

Address: Grenadierów 3, 20-331 Lublin
Phone: +48 81 728 45 25
Open: 24 hours a day

3. Uniwersytecki Szpital Kliniczny Nr 4 w Lublinie

Address: Jaczewskiego 8, 20-954 Lublin
Phone: +48 81 724 45 51, +48 81 724 45 52
Open: 24 hours a day

4. Uniwersytecki Szpital Dziecięcy w Lublinie (Pediatric Emergency Department)

Address: Prof. Antoniego Gębali 6, 20-093 Lublin
Phone: +48 81 718 53 23
Open: 24 hours a day

Medical Centers

People who have voluntary health insurance with the Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia (NFZ) should choose an NFZ-contracted clinic and register there in order to have a general practitioner. Under the Polish healthcare system, your GP is usually the first doctor you should visit when you have health-related concerns. The GP can provide treatment, order basic tests and if necessary, issue a referral to a specialist doctor or hospital. 

There are many clinics in Lublin that have contracts with NFZ and provide primary healthcare services. Below is a list of several examples:

CenterMed Weteranów
Address: Weteranów 46, 20-044 Lublin
Phone number: 81 537 19 71, 81 537 19 72

Bio-Medical R. Stettner
Address: Weteranów 11, 20-044 Lublin
Phone number: 81 534 15 65

Centrum Medyczne "Sanitas"
Address: Okopowa 3, 20-022 Lublin
Phone number: 81 534 04 00

24h Pharmacies

Pharmacies in Poland are usually open from around 8:00 to 18:00 or 21:00 on weekdays, while opening hours on weekends may be shorter. However, there are also several 24-hour pharmacies in Lublin where you can buy medicines at any time, including during the night, weekends, and public holidays.

Apteka Szpitalna 
Stanisława Staszica 16, 20-081 Lublin

Apteka Gemini
Filaretów 44a, 20-609 Lublin

Dział Farmacji Szpitalnej
Młyńska 14a, 20-406 Lublin

If you need mental health support, emotional assistance, or someone to talk to, there are several free helplines and support services available in Poland where trained professionals can provide guidance, information and confidential support.

116 123 and online chat - 116sos.pl provides free, confidential, 24/7 support and information. The service is available to everyone in Poland. Support is offered for all mental health concerns, including mental crises, traumatic events, and mental disorders, whether you are in crisis or simply need someone to talk to.

800 120-002 - The Polish Nationwide Emergency Service for Victims of Domestic Violence „Blue Line” is offering help in English on Mondays from 18:00 to 22:00. Calling the hotline number you can get psychological support, counseling, information about the current Polish regulations, procedures and institutions providing assistance to people experiencing domestic violence.

800 088 136 - The Polish Red Cross offers psychosocial support to everyone affected by the armed conflict. If you need someone to talk to, want information about available services or have lost contact with loved ones because of the conflict, you can call the helpline. The hotline operates Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:00. All support is free of charge and completely anonymous.

Please keep in mind that you can always come to the Welcome Point if you have any concerns or need additional help.