When choosing insurance for a visa to Poland, start by checking the type of visa, not just the price. The policy should meet the requirements regarding the territory, duration, and scope of coverage. The sum insured alone is not enough, to assess its suitability for your application. It is equally important to consider what events the contract covers and under what conditions you can receive assistance in an emergency.
Before purchasing, prepare a travel itinerary that includes your insurance documents and information about the relevant consulate. Distinguish between the requirements for a Schengen Type C visa and those for a national Type D visa. Then, check the scope of coverage in case of sudden illness, an accident, necessary hospitalization, and return due to medical reasons. Below, we outline the order of these checks, provide an example of TUZ Insurance’s terms and conditions, and offer guidance on preparing the necessary documents. Purchasing a policy does not guarantee that a visa will be issued.
C and D Visas: Different Requirements
The reference points are Visa requirements of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The guidelines below describe the documentation requirements. However, they do not confirm whether a specific policy is appropriate for your situation.
Single-entry Schengen Type C Visa
A uniform Schengen Type C visa allows for a stay not exceeding 90 days in each 180-day period. In its list of documents, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs specifies travel medical insurance for at least 30,000 euros, valid throughout the Schengen Area.
The insurance is intended to cover expenses related to medical repatriation, emergency medical care, urgent hospitalization, or death. It should cover the entire planned stay or transit. When applying for a multiple-entry visa, the form specifies the duration of the first planned visit. Do not interpret this as an exemption from coverage during subsequent trips.
Type D National Visa
A D visa is for a stay or stays in Poland totaling more than 90 days during the visa’s validity period, but not exceeding one year. This does not mean that every such visa is issued for one year.
If you provide travel medical insurance with your D visa application, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs specifies a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros. It also lists the costs of return travel for medical reasons, emergency medical care, sudden hospitalization, or death. Do not automatically transfer C visa rules to a D visa, especially the rule regarding the first visit. Before making a purchase, check the details with the facility processing your application.
Check the coverage period and territory
Start with two key elements in the policy documents: the validity dates and the scope of coverage. For a C visa, insurance valid within the territory of the entire Schengen Area. Protection limited solely to Poland does not meet this requirement, even if the main destination of the trip is a Polish city.
Practical tip: Write down your itinerary, arrival date, and planned departure date. Then compare them with the period specified in the offer. For a C visa, also take transit into account. For additional guidance, check out our guide describing, How to Check the Validity of a Foreign National's Insurance Policy.
For example, if you plan to travel through another Schengen country, don’t just check for the word „Poland” in the product name. Look for provision regarding the protected area. This involves reviewing the document before making a purchase, rather than assuming that the policy covers every stage of the trip.
⚠️ Important
The required insurance amount and the appropriate coverage area are separate criteria. Do not consider a policy adequate simply because the stated amount meets the minimum specified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Scope of Coverage and Conditions for Assistance
When reviewing the General Insurance Terms and Conditions (GITC), you should look for more than just the name of the benefit. It is also important to familiarize yourself with the description of the event that triggers coverage, the required documents, and the rules for organizing assistance. For each key point, it’s worth checking Insurance coverage limits, liability limitations, and exclusions regarding the selected contract.
Hospitalization: An Example of a Provision in a Health Insurance Policy
A specific example is TUZ Ubezpieczenia’s product „Insurance Covering Medical Expenses for Foreigners During Their Stay in the Republic of Poland.” Its General Insurance Conditions (GIC) were approved by Resolution U/1/2026 of January 14, 2026, and have been in effect since February 13, 2026.
These terms and conditions list documented hospital treatment costs, hospitalization, and surgery resulting from a sudden illness or an accident. It is essential to identify both the type of cost and its direct connection to the event covered by the contract.
The cited version of the General Terms and Conditions illustrates how to interpret the scope of coverage. It does not constitute confirmation of the product’s current availability or approval of a specific policy for a visa. Before purchasing, please compare the document reference with the terms and conditions attached to your offer.
Transportation: doctor's recommendation and insurer's approval
According to the same General Terms and Conditions, transportation from Poland to a hospital or place of residence in the country of permanent residence—using a special mode of transportation and at a time other than the one originally planned—requires a written recommendation from a doctor. Costs are covered up to the amount of the transportation costs for a mode of transportation that meets the conditions specified by the doctor in a written recommendation.
To have transportation costs recognized, the following is required: Prior approval from TUZ Insurance. If you arrange transportation on your own with the insurer’s consent, the reimbursement is covered under the insurance limit for medical expenses and does not exceed the costs that TUZ Ubezpieczenia would have incurred had it arranged such transportation itself.
If, after a hospital stay, you are considering changing your mode of return travel, do not assume that you have complete freedom of choice or that you will be fully reimbursed. Check the procedure specified in your contract before arranging transportation. The terms and conditions described in this General Terms and Conditions of Insurance (TUZ) should not be applied to other products.
Gather the documents needed for your application
The policy is part of the documentation, rather than a complete visa application. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ basic checklists for C and D visas also include a travel document, a completed and signed application form, a photograph, and proof of payment of the visa fee.
Supporting documents pertain, among other things, to the purpose of the trip and financial resources. These include funds to cover living expenses for the duration of the planned stay, as well as for return to the country of origin or residence, or for transit to a third country that will grant entry. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also accepts documents confirming that you can legally obtain the required funds.
For a C visa, the list also includes a document regarding accommodations or the financial means to cover them, as well as a document allowing for an assessment of the applicant’s intention to leave the Schengen Area before the visa expires. For a D visa, the purpose of the trip and the conditions of stay must be specified, along with a document demonstrating the applicant’s intention to leave Poland and other circumstances outlined in the application. The specific list of required documents should be confirmed with the relevant consular office; it may vary depending on the country where the application is submitted.
Before making a purchase and submitting your documents, check the following yourself:
Do not treat this organizational checklist as an exhaustive list of consular requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 30,000-euro insurance policy enough for a C visa?
The amount alone is not sufficient to evaluate the document. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ list also specifies the entire Schengen Area, the relevant time period, and the costs associated with emergency assistance, urgent hospital treatment, return for medical reasons, or death. Check all these elements, not just the total amount.
Do the same rules apply to a D visa as to a C visa?
Do not automatically assume this applies. If you are submitting travel medical insurance with your D visa application, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ guidelines specify a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros, as well as the listed costs for emergency medical care and return travel. Check with the relevant consulate for details specific to your case.
For what period should I purchase insurance for a C visa?
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ guidelines, insurance must cover the entire planned stay or transit. For multiple-entry visa applications, the first planned visit is specified. Do not interpret this as an exemption from coverage during subsequent trips. Check the expiration dates of your policy before each trip.
Is the insurance policy alone sufficient, without the other documents?
No. The basic list also includes a travel document, a visa application, a photograph, and proof of payment. Additional supporting documents are required, including those regarding the purpose of the trip and financial resources. Please check with the appropriate consulate for specific details on the types of documents required.
Where can I find the document after making an online purchase?
Start with the information you received when you signed the contract. You’ll find our guide helpful; in it, we explain, How to Find Your Insurance Document After an Online Purchase. Before using the document, verify the details, date, and scope. Do not assume that a payment confirmation replaces the document required for your case.
Does purchasing a policy guarantee that you will receive a visa?
Don't treat a purchase as a guarantee of your decision. Insurance does not replace other documents nor does it require a review of the facility’s requirements. Tailoring the policy is one aspect of preparing the application, not a guarantee that it will be approved.
What to Check Before Buying
First, determine the type of visa and the consulate’s requirements. Next, check the territory, duration, amount, and scope of coverage. Familiarize yourself with the emergency assistance guidelines and prepare the necessary documents. Clarify any discrepancies before paying the premium, rather than adjusting your travel plans to fit a policy you've already purchased.
Use our medical expense insurance form for foreign nationals and review the terms and conditions before purchasing.
Before paying the premium, make sure that the territory, period, and scope of coverage meet the requirements of your case. The mere fact that the policy is available in the KLC format does not mean that it meets the requirements for a C visa.
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