People who are not covered by mandatory health insurance in Poland can voluntarily join the National Health Fund (NFZ). However, if the break in paying contributions lasted at least three months, they must pay an additional fee before signing a new agreement. The amount depends on the length of the gap and can reach as much as 18,500 zł.
Voluntary health insurance grants access to all publicly funded medical services on the same terms as for those with mandatory insurance. It is intended for individuals living in Poland who are not eligible for compulsory coverage, such as students over 26, unemployed people not registered with the labor office, or entrepreneurs who chose not to pay the health contribution.
According to information provided by the daily Rzeczpospolita, the fee applies to anyone who re-joins the voluntary system after a period of at least three months without insurance. The obligation arises before the new contract is concluded and must be settled directly with the relevant provincial branch of NFZ.
Who must pay the additional fee?
The additional charge is triggered exclusively by a gap in insurance that lasted three months or longer. Shorter breaks do not incur any extra payment. People who have never been insured before or who are joining the voluntary system for the first time without a prior break are also exempt.
The rule is designed to discourage long-term avoidance of health contributions and to ensure that those who return to the system partially compensate for the period they were uninsured. The fee is not a penalty but an equalization payment tied to the average national wage.
How high is the fee and how to pay?
The exact amount is calculated based on the average monthly salary in the quarter preceding the application and the length of the insurance gap. Three brackets exist:
- For a break of 3 to 5 months: 1,855 zł
- For a break of 6 to 11 months: 4,639 zł
- For a break of 12 months or longer: 9,278 zł
In extreme cases, when the gap exceeds several years, the fee can reach up to 18,500 zł, as reported by the daily Rzeczpospolita. The payment must be made before signing the voluntary insurance contract. After the fee is paid, the coverage begins from the date specified in the agreement.
Individuals considering re-joining should contact their local NFZ office to calculate the exact amount and obtain payment details. The fund reminds that timely payment is essential to avoid further delays in accessing medical care.
Źródło: wnp.pl, Fot. PAP/Paweł Supernak
