Planning a trip elsewhere in Europe and want to make sure you’re covered if you need medical care? Getting an EKUZ card before you leave is worth the ten minutes it takes. Here’s what it is, who qualifies, and how to apply in 2026.
- What is the EKUZ (EHIC) card
- Who qualifies for an EKUZ card
- Where the card works and what it covers
- How long the card is valid
- How to apply
- FAQ
What is the EKUZ (EHIC) card
Europejska Karta Ubezpieczenia Zdrowotnego (EKUZ), known internationally as the EHIC (European Health Insurance Card), confirms your right to use public healthcare services in other EU countries at the expense of Poland’s National Health Fund (NFZ).
Only people insured through NFZ can get one.
Who qualifies for an EKUZ card
You’re eligible if you pay NFZ contributions, for example by:
- working under an umowa zlecenie (mandate contract);
- working under an umowa o pracę (employment contract);
- running a sole proprietorship (działalność gospodarcza);
- having voluntary NFZ insurance;
- being registered as a family member of an insured person.
If you don’t have health insurance, say you work under an umowa o dzieło (specific-task contract), which doesn’t include NFZ coverage, you can still sign up for voluntary NFZ insurance and become eligible for EKUZ afterwards.
Where the card works and what it covers
The card is valid across all EU member states, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway (EEA) and Switzerland (EFTA). It does not work outside this zone, for example in Turkey, Egypt, the US, Canada, or South Korea.
EKUZ only puts you on equal footing with locally insured residents of the country you’re visiting; it doesn’t unlock extra free services that citizens of that country don’t get. If a local rule requires a 20% co-payment, you’ll pay it too.
The card only guarantees access to care that’s medically necessary during a temporary stay abroad: think urgent or emergency treatment, not planned procedures.
How long the card is valid
| Category | Validity |
|---|---|
| Employed persons and business owners | 36 months |
| Students and adult family members | 18 months |
| Children under 18 and pensioners | 5 years |
How to apply
You can apply for an EKUZ card in several ways:
- online, via the Patient’s Internet Account (Internetowe Konto Pacjenta, IKP) on pacjent.gov.pl, if you have a Trusted Profile (Profil Zaufany) or mObywatel;
- through your Trusted Profile on the government e-services portal;
- in person, by regular mail, or by fax, to your regional NFZ branch or its local delegation.
You’ll find the list of regional NFZ branches at nfz.gov.pl/kontakt/oddzialy-nfz.
The card doesn’t carry a photo, and the service is free. If you apply in person, you’ll usually get the card right away; online or postal applications can take NFZ up to 3 business days to process.
FAQ
Can I get EKUZ if I work under an umowa o dzieło?
Not directly: this contract type doesn’t include NFZ coverage. But you can sign up for voluntary NFZ insurance and become eligible afterward.
What if a doctor abroad won’t accept my EKUZ?
Make sure the facility works with the public healthcare system of the country you’re in: EKUZ generally isn’t accepted at private clinics.
Does the card renew automatically?
No, once it expires, you need to submit a new application.
Author: MojaFirma content team.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Check nfz.gov.pl for current rules. If you’re relocating to Poland and have questions about legalization, work, or insurance, feel free to book a free consultation with our team.
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