Polish Travelers Face High Hidden Costs and Insurance Gaps on Exotic Trips

Polish tourists planning trips to Africa, Southeast Asia, South America or Indian Ocean islands are increasingly aware that standard health coverage like the European Health Insurance Card (EKUŻ) does not cover many expenses. Artur Dziekański, spokesperson for the Polish Insurance Chamber, notes that the high cost of treatment, medical evacuation and diseases such as malaria, dengue or yellow fever makes supplemental travel insurance essential. The basic policy typically ends after the trip, while some insurers offer extensions for post‑return care.

Travelers also encounter hidden fees unrelated to medical care. High roaming charges, expensive currency exchange at airports, resort taxes, environmental levies and mandatory local insurance can quickly inflate budgets. Solutions promoted include purchasing eSIM data packages (e.g., from Holafly) to avoid roaming fees and using ATMs or global wallets for cheaper cash withdrawals.