Health insurance for people not in work – how do you get it? A practical guide

23 June 2026

The right to healthcare is one of the fundamental constitutional rights in Poland (Article 68 of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland). In practice, however, access to free medical care under the National Health Fund (NFZ) is conditional upon holding the appropriate insurance cover. People who are unemployed often face the dilemma of how to legally and effectively protect themselves in the event of illness or the need for hospitalisation.

How can you get health insurance if you’re not in work?

Contrary to popular belief, losing one’s job or not having permanent employment does not necessarily mean losing the right to free healthcare. The law provides for several routes that allow people who are not in work to obtain full entitlement to medical benefits. Below, we discuss the most common and entirely legal solutions based on the legislation as it currently stands.

1. Registering with the Job Centre (PUP) – the most common way to become eligible for health insurance

The most common way for a person who is not in employment to become eligible for health insurance is to register with the District Employment Office (PUP) responsible for their place of residence. Importantly, the status of an unemployed person also applies to those who are not entitled to claim unemployment benefit.

• Who pays the contributions? From the moment a person is registered as unemployed, the Employment Office is responsible for funding and paying their health insurance contributions.
• When does a right come into existence and when does it cease to exist? Entitlement to benefits begins on the date on which a person is registered as unemployed, and usually expires 30 days after the date on which that status is lost (e.g. as a result of deregistration or taking up employment).
• A person registered with the Labour Office (PUP) may also enrol their family members (e.g. children, spouse) in the health insurance scheme, provided they do not have their own entitlement to insurance.

Please bear in mind that being registered as unemployed entails certain obligations – including the requirement to attend appointments with the employment office and to accept suitable job offers. An unjustified refusal or failure to attend by the specified deadline will result in your removal from the register, which is equivalent to losing your health insurance for the unemployed.

2. Application for insurance as a family member (ZUS ZCNA)

If you do not wish to, or are unable to, register with the Jobcentre, but you live in the same household as an insured person (e.g. someone in full-time employment or running their own business), the best option is registering a family member for insurance.

Under Polish law, an insured person is entitled to register family members under their insurance scheme who are not otherwise entitled to cover (e.g. through employment or unemployment benefits). The following may be registered as family members:

1. Spouse (husband or wife).
2. Children (own, spouse’s, adopted) – until they reach the age of 18, or, if they are continuing their education, until the age of 26. In the case of children who have certificate of significant disability – no age restrictions.
3. Preliminary (parents, grandparents), provided they live in the same household as the insured person.

What is extremely important from a financial point of view – adding a family member to your insurance policy does not involve any additional costs. The contribution deducted, for example, from an employee’s salary remains unchanged, and the person registered is entitled to the same medical benefits as the insured person.

3. Voluntary health insurance through the National Health Fund (NFZ) – an independent option

For people who have their own financial resources but, for various reasons, are not eligible to register with the Labour Office (PUP) nor can be registered by a family member, the legislator has provided for the institution of voluntary health insurance under the National Health Fund (NFZ).

The procedure requires submitting the relevant application to the provincial branch of the National Health Fund (NFZ) and entering into a contract. Once the contract has been signed, you must register with the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) (using form ZUS ZZA) and pay the monthly contribution yourself. The contribution amounts to 9% of the assessment base, which is the average monthly wage in the enterprise sector.

Important – Additional (initial) fee:  If the gap in your health insurance cover lasted longer than 3 months, the National Health Fund (NFZ) may make the conclusion of the contract conditional upon the payment of a one-off additional fee. The amount depends on the length of time you were uninsured and can range from 20% to as much as 200% of the assessment base. In justified cases (e.g. financial hardship), you may submit an application to the Director of the NFZ Branch requesting a waiver of this fee or to pay it in instalments.

4. Decision by the commune head, mayor or city mayor (Insurance for people in difficult circumstances)

In extreme cases, where a person who is not in employment finds themselves in difficult personal and financial circumstances (and meets the income criteria set out in the social assistance legislation), the right to free medical treatment may be granted by an administrative decision of the commune head, mayor or city mayor. An application for such a decision is submitted to the local social welfare centre (e.g. MOPS/GOPS). This cover is usually granted for a period of 90 days.

The consequences of not having health insurance

Using the public healthcare system (e.g. a visit to a GP, a hospital stay or calling an ambulance) without valid health insurance cover carries a huge risk. In the event of a hospital stay or a planned operation, the National Health Fund (NFZ) will charge the patient the full cost of the services provided, which often amounts to tens of thousands of zlotys.

Do you need help with matters relating to ZUS or NFZ?

Issues relating to social security and health insurance can be complex and often lead to disputes with state authorities. In such situations, it is worth seeking professional help.

Kuklewicz Law Firm offers comprehensive legal advice and representation before public administration bodies, the courts, the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) and the National Health Fund (NFZ). Contact us, so that you can effectively safeguard your rights.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does a contract for services provide health insurance?

Yes, a contract for services constitutes an independent basis for social security and health insurance (with certain exceptions, e.g. for students under the age of 26). The contractor is covered by compulsory health insurance from the first day of the contract.

How long does health insurance remain valid after employment ends?

The right to free healthcare usually expires 30 days after the date on which the employment relationship ends or the person is deregistered from another form of insurance (e.g. closure of a business).

Does registering as a „jobseeker” (rather than as unemployed) entitle you to health insurance?

No. Simply being registered as a jobseeker with the District Employment Office does not mean that the office is obliged to provide health insurance. For the District Employment Office to pay the contribution, you must be granted full unemployed status.