How to Take Care of Health Insurance During Holidays in Poland?
When planning a holiday in Poland, especially if you live and work in Norway, it is worth taking care of the necessary formalities related to healthcare. Unexpected illness or accident can happen to anyone, so it is good to know what options you have and which documents may be essential.
When planning a holiday in Poland, especially if you live and work in Norway, it is worth taking care of the necessary formalities related to healthcare. Unexpected illness or accident can happen to anyone, so it is good to know what options you have and which documents may be essential.
S1 Document – Full Access to Healthcare
If you are a member of the Norwegian social security system and have family or your own home in Poland, you can apply to HELFO for an S1 Document. This document is available to people:
- working in Norway,
- receiving taxable benefits (e.g. parental, sickness, or unemployment benefits).
The S1 Document allows you to use the full range of medical care in Poland – from treatment of chronic diseases, visits to a general practitioner, to hospitalization. Importantly, you can also cover your immediate family members (spouse, children) with this insurance by registering them at the appropriate NFZ branch. However, this does not apply to partners without a formal relationship.
Important tips:
- The S1 Document is issued on an EU form.
- After receiving it from Helfo, you must register it at the regional NFZ branch corresponding to your place of residence in Poland.
- It is worth applying in advance – the waiting time can be up to 8 weeks.
- The S1 Document for an indefinite contract is usually issued for 2–3 years.
How to Cover Family Members with Insurance Based on Your S1 Document
To cover your family members with health insurance based on your S1 Document, follow these steps:
- Registering family members when registering the S1 Document in Poland
After receiving the S1 Document from Norway, you submit it to the appropriate regional NFZ branch in Poland and at the same time declare your wish to insure family members. You provide their personal data along with PESEL numbers (if they have them) – this allows the NFZ to verify who meets the conditions for family insurance. - Confirmation procedure
After registration, the NFZ checks the data and decides on the possibility of family insurance. Then, appropriate documents confirming the right to health benefits for family members are issued. - Issuing documents
After the procedure, you receive a certificate, and your family members can use public healthcare in Poland.
Who can you register for health insurance?
- your children (up to 18 years old, or up to 25 if they continue education),
- spouse,
- adopted children or those under legal care.
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) – Emergencies
If you cannot or do not want to apply for the S1 Document, you are entitled to a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This card entitles you to free medical care in emergencies during your stay in Poland.
Who can apply for an EHIC?
- People paying health insurance contributions in Norway,
- citizens of Norway, EEA countries, or Switzerland.
The EHIC is issued for up to 3 years, and the waiting time is about 10 working days. It is worth considering additional private travel insurance, which provides broader coverage.
Illness During Stay in Poland – Sickness Benefit from Norway
If you fall ill during your stay in Poland, you can visit a Polish doctor and obtain a sick leave certificate. On this basis, you are entitled to apply for a sickness benefit from Norway. The sick leave and your own statement should be submitted to your employer and to NAV (the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration).
Remember:
- For the first 16 days of illness, the employer pays your salary.
- After 16 days, the benefit is paid by NAV.
- The benefit is not paid for the period of vacation or rotation break – payment starts from the day you return to work.
- Sick leave should not be issued for more than 4 weeks at a time. In case of a longer illness, you must regularly renew the sick leave and send documents to NAV.
Summary
Before going on holiday to Poland, make sure to:
- obtain the S1 Document (if you plan a longer stay or have family in Poland),
- get the EHIC card (for a short stay or if you cannot obtain S1),
- familiarize yourself with the procedure for obtaining a sickness benefit from Norway in case of illness in Poland.
This way, you will avoid unnecessary stress and be able to fully enjoy your holiday.