Poland’s NFZ urges travelers to obtain free European Health Insurance Card

The National Health Fund (NFZ) in Poland is reminding residents that the European Health Insurance Card (EKUZ) is a free document that guarantees emergency public medical care while travelling in the European Union, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and the European Economic Area.

Cards can be collected at NFZ offices in cities such as Poznań, Piła, Konin, Leszno, Kalisz, Słupca and Rawicz, or requested online through the Internet Patient Account (IKP), the mojeIKP app or ePUAP. In 2025 NFZ issued 200,818 cards, and in the first half of 2026 another 98,853 were provided. Validity depends on the holder’s status – three years for employees, up to 20 years for retirees, and until adulthood for children. If a card is lost abroad, a temporary certificate with the same rights can be obtained electronically. EKUZ does not cover planned treatments, medical transport back to Poland, or all costs in every country; some territories and micro‑states are excluded.