A health insurance policy for a foreign national may be required when purchasing coverage, applying for a visa, or providing proof of coverage as part of a residency proceeding. However, this three different sets of information. The information entered on the insurer’s form is not the same as the attachments required by the consulate or government office. The documents needed later, when you have to file a claim, are also different. Therefore, before purchasing a policy, it’s best to first determine the purpose of the policy and only then gather the necessary information. In this guide, we explain what you can prepare in advance, what you shouldn’t assume without verifying, and how to avoid mixing up the documentation related to the purchase, visa, residence, and claims.
First, determine what you need the policy for
The question „What documents are needed for the policy?” only makes sense once you’ve specified for official purposes. A Schengen visa application may require different types of evidence than a national visa, and a specific residence permit application may require yet other types of evidence. Purchasing insurance is a separate matter.
The most important distinction is as follows:
There is no single, universal list of purchasing documents for all private insurance policies. Therefore, you should not assume that every application form always requires you to provide a passport, visa, residence card, and proof of address. The scope of the questions depends on the specific insurer’s procedures.
It’s also worth remembering what this type of coverage entails. For example, in the Compensa Cudzoziemiec product, the clause covering medical expenses in Poland, along with assistance, includes medically necessary treatment for an illness or the consequences of an accident that the insured person must undergo immediately while staying in Poland. This is a provision specific to that product, not a feature of every policy available on the market.
If you'd like to learn more about the remote purchasing process in advance, be sure to also read How to Buy Insurance for a Foreign National Online. However, simply purchasing a document online is no substitute for verifying that it complies with the procedure for which it is to be used.
Documents Required for a Schengen Visa or a National Visa
A visa application involves more than just the insurance policy. First, you need to separate the documents related to the entire procedure from the details of the insurance policy that is intended to support it.
For a single-entry or double-entry uniform visa, travel medical insurance should cover the costs of return travel for medical reasons, emergency medical care, urgent hospitalization, or death. As a general rule, the insurance must be valid throughout the territory of the Member States for the entire duration of the planned stay or transit, and the minimum coverage amount is 30,000 euros.
For a Type D national visa, the official instructions also specify the requirement to have travel medical insurance covering at least 30,000 euros, including the costs of medical repatriation, emergency medical care, sudden hospitalization or death, or another type of insurance specified in these guidelines. Therefore, before purchasing a policy, you should check All requirements for the appropriate type of visa, rather than relying solely on the product name.
The minister responsible for foreign affairs publishes and updates information on insurers and insurance policies that meet the statutory requirements for travel medical insurance upon entry with a national visa. The current requirements and a link to this information can be found on the website Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Verification of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' list This is important because not every private insurance policy automatically meets the requirements of every visa procedure.
The supporting documents required for a visa application may vary depending on the country where the application is submitted. Therefore, you should confirm the list of required documents with the appropriate consular office. If you are seeking coverage for both the visa application and your subsequent stay, you may find the page on visa and residence card policy.
Insurance Policy in Residence Proceedings in 2026
In proceedings for a residence permit, it is not sufficient to state that a foreign national „has insurance.” The document must meet the requirements specific to the particular basis for residence. In the case of a temporary residence and work permit, this requirement may be met by providing confirmation that the insurer covers medical expenses in Poland.
In the official MOS list, the following is listed as one of the possible forms of proof for the basis for residence described therein: private insurance policy. However, this does not mean that the same set of attachments applies in every case. The set of documents depends on grounds for stay, the information contained in the application, and any summons issued by the authority. List Case Management Module of the Office for Foreigners This applies to the basis described on this page: a permit linked to EU long-term resident status obtained in another EU country. This is not a list of required documents for every case, including temporary residence and work permits; you must open the list for your specific basis separately in MOS.
As of April 27, 2026, applications for temporary residence, permanent residence, and EU long-term resident status must be submitted electronically to the MOS. The official notice also specifies the categories that are still processed in paper form; therefore, before submitting your application, you should verify the appropriate procedure for your situation.
If the policy is intended for a residency case, check the page regarding this before purchasing health insurance to residence card. Don't choose protection based solely on price or a similar product name.
What to Prepare Before Purchasing a Policy
When filling out the purchase form, be sure to include, first and foremost, the information that the selected insurer actually requests. UNIQA’s General Terms and Conditions of Insurance confirm the obligation to disclose all known circumstances that the company asked about before the contract was concluded. In practice, this means that you should answer in accordance with the form's instructions and do not omit any known information covered by the question.
We’re not providing a superficial, mandatory list of documents here. Instead, before you begin the purchase process, it’s a good idea to determine:
Good control includes Consistency of the data with the identification document, but that doesn't mean you have to submit a scan of this document for every sale. The requirement to submit a file or present a specific document must be specified in the form and procedure you are using.
If you want to go through the entire process without skipping any screens, follow the guide How to Buy Health Insurance Online. Before making a payment, please make sure that the insured person's information, the purpose of the purchase, and the required coverage period are correct and match your expectations.
What to Check After Your Purchase and Keep for Later
Once you receive the document, don't limit your review to just the first and last name. Check Start and end of coverage, territory and coverage commensurate with the purpose of the policy. For a visa, compare the document with the current requirements of the relevant consulate. For a residence permit, compare it with the conditions applicable to the specific basis for residence.
Keep your policy and proof of purchase in a place you can access even when you're away from home. If you need guidance regarding the document itself after signing the contract, check How to Obtain Proof of Insurance.
Purchase documents should be distinguished from the materials required when filing a claim. According to the aforementioned UNIQA General Terms and Conditions, a claim regarding medical expenses should include, among other things, policy number, a description of the incident, a medical certificate, and receipts and proof of payment. This is a list of requirements specified in the specific General Terms and Conditions regarding the filing of a claim, not documentation related to the purchase of insurance. After an incident, you should follow the terms of your policy and keep all documentation related to the assistance provided.
The safest order is simple: First the procedure, then the policy terms, followed by verification of the correct information and review of the document you receive. This ensures that you don't purchase coverage based on a random list of attachments.
If you already know the purpose and requirements of the document, you can proceed to the verified policy purchase form for a foreign national.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you always have to submit a scanned copy of your passport when purchasing a policy?
Check the form provided by your chosen insurer to see if you need to submit a scanned copy of your passport to purchase the policy. Provide the information and documents required in that specific form. Separately, check which attachments are needed for later stages of the visa or residence permit process.
Does a single insurance policy cover every visa and every residence permit application?
No. The requirements depend on the type of visa or basis for stay, the duration, the territory, the scope, and other conditions of the specific procedure. Don't assume automatic compliance simply because the product is described as a policy for a foreign national.
What are the insurance requirements for a Schengen visa?
For a single-entry or double-entry uniform visa, the insurance should cover the costs of return travel for medical reasons, emergency medical care, urgent hospitalization, or death. As a general rule, the insurance must be valid throughout the territory of the Member States for the entire duration of the planned stay or transit, and the minimum coverage amount is 30,000 euros.
Can a private insurance policy confirm coverage of medical expenses in a case involving a stay in the country?
Yes, in the official MOS list for the basis of stay described there, a private insurance policy is listed as a possible document confirming coverage of medical expenses. However, you should always check Conditions for an Independent Basis of Residence and the text of any notice issued by the authority.
Will residence permit applications be submitted electronically in 2026?
Effective April 27, 2026, applications for temporary residence, permanent residence, and EU long-term resident status must generally be submitted electronically via MOS. However, official guidelines state that applications in certain categories may still be submitted on paper; therefore, you must confirm the appropriate procedure for your specific case.
Are the documents required to report an incident the same as those required for a purchase?
No. It's separate phases and separate documentation. The purchase form is used to enter into a contract; however, in the event of a claim, the insurer may require information about the incident and the documentation specified in the terms and conditions of the specific policy.
Polish
English
Ukrainian
Turkish
Indonesian
Russian
Vietnamese
Spanish