Rights of a foreign patient in Poland - FAQ 2026

When you are a foreigner in Poland, contacting a doctor can be stressful. The language barrier, unfamiliarity with NFZ rules and concern about the cost of treatment cause many people to put off a visit. In practice, however patient rights operate regardless of citizenship. The key is whether you are eligible for publicly funded benefits, or whether you use privately and bill yourself or your policy.

In this guide we have collected Patient rights FAQ For people who live, study or work in Poland. We explain how the National Health Fund for foreigners, what documents you may need, how consent to treatment works, and what to do if your rights are not respected. The text is for informational purposes and is not a substitute for legal advice.

In Poland, the patient has the right to respect for dignity, privacy and to health services provided in accordance with current medical knowledge. These principles apply in public and private facilities. In practice, this means, among other things, the right to reliable information about the state of health, the proposed treatment and possible risks, as well as the right to medical confidentiality.

As foreigner in Poland You also have the right to inspect and obtain copies of medical records. Documentation is often needed to settle costs with the insurer or to continue treatment. In policies for foreigners, it is standard to require documents confirming the diagnosis and course of treatment, as well as bills with patient and facility details.

The most common question is whether National Health Fund for foreigners works automatically? Not always. Access to benefits financed by the National Health Fund depends on your status and title to insurance (e.g. work, business, studies, family member of an insured person, voluntary insurance). A separate group is EU/EEA and Swiss citizens, who can receive benefits on the basis of the EHIC or substitute documents, to the extent medically necessary during their stay.

When you are not eligible for the National Health Service, you can use private care and pay for the costs yourself or through your policy. In practice, this is why health insurance for foreigners is so often required in residency procedures: it gives predictability of costs and organizational support (such as an assistance hotline).

If you want to get a better understanding of how medical aid is organized and what to do in an emergency, see also the guide: how to get medical help.

Below we answer the questions most often asked by people for whom Poland is a new place to live. These are practical Patient rights FAQ - Brief answers and instructions on what to do right away at the office or at the front desk. If in doubt, ask for clarification in writing or for a summary of recommendations after the visit.

As a rule, yes. You have the right to receive information and consent (or refuse) to the examination and treatment. Consent should be informed, that is, preceded by an explanation of the purpose, risks and alternatives. Written consent is often required for invasive treatments and procedures. If you don't understand the language, ask for an explanation in simple words or with an interpreter.

In an emergency, when your life or health is at risk and you are unable to give consent, staff can provide assistance according to emergency procedures. This is also important if you don't have documents with you - emergency assistance should not be withheld just because of paperwork.

There is no one-size-fits-all rule that every facility always provides an interpreter. In practice, some facilities have English-speaking staff or work with translators. If language is a barrier, it's a good idea to ask if you can consult in a specific language or use a private translation service. For more serious procedures, make sure you understand what you are signing.

If you have a policy, check to see if you can get support in arranging a visit under assistance. Articles about the scope of benefits may also be helpful: scope of health services.

Yes, you have the right to access your medical records and to obtain a copy. This comes in handy when continuing treatment, changing doctors and when settling costs with the insurer. In practice, it's a good idea to ask for: information sheet, test results, recommendations, prescriptions and bills.

If you are billing for a benefit under your policy, the insurer usually requires documentary evidence of the diagnosis and proof of costs. The bills should include the patient's details, the facility's details and the signature or seal of the authorized person. This is standard in many T&Cs for foreigners' medical expense insurance.

It depends on your eligibility and where the benefits are provided. If you are eligible for services financed by the National Health Fund, then at facilities that have a contract with the National Health Fund, you do not pay for most services within the scope of your insurance. If you are not eligible for the NHF, or you choose a private facility, you pay the costs yourself, or they are covered by the health insurance for foreigners - In accordance with the scope and limits of the policy.

It is worth remembering that policies vary in exclusions and limits. For example, some insurances do not cover certain scheduled benefits or specific categories of treatment, and some events require prior contact with assistance. If you are comparing solutions, a guide will be helpful: what to look for.

If you believe that your patient rights have been violated, start by calmly gathering the facts. Write down the date, time, name of the facility, names (if you know), the course of the conversation and what information or service was denied. Ask for a copy of the documentation or for an entry in the record if it pertains to the denial of services.

You can then file a complaint with the facility (e.g., with the manager or the complaints and requests department). For systemic and patient rights issues, the path to patient rights institutions can be helpful. If the problem is related to policy billing, also report the matter to the insurer or assistance provider.

If your situation is due to unclear residency or insurance documents, check the material as well: insurance and residence card And an article on costs: how to reduce insurance costs.

Patient rights in Poland also apply to people who do not have Polish citizenship. As foreigner in Poland You have the right to information, documentation, privacy and consent to treatment. The biggest differences in practice are not based on citizenship, but on whether you are entitled to benefits from the National Health Service, or whether you are using privately and billing your policy.

If you want to reduce stress and the risk of high bills, make sure your documents are organized and matched health insurance for foreigners. If you have questions about your coverage or needed documents for your residency card, contact your advisor or check out our guides at medical-insurance.co.uk.