The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC, known in Poland as EKUZ) is a document confirming the right to free or partially reimbursed medical treatment in European Union and EFTA countries. For international drivers, a special employee version is issued, which operates under the same principles as the tourist card but takes into account the specifics of employment and working abroad. To obtain the employee EHIC card, you must first have an A1 certificate from the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS), and then submit an application to the National Health Fund (NFZ). The document is issued free of charge and is valid for the period indicated on the A1 certificate, usually up to one year.
Key takeaways
Looking for information about the EHIC card? In this article, you’ll learn, among other things:
- What the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is and why it’s important for international drivers.
- How to obtain the EHIC card for an international driver step by step.
- How much it costs to issue the EHIC card and how long it is valid for.
- What the possible consequences of not having the EHIC card are.
- How the EHIC card works in EFTA countries.
Table of contents
- EHIC Card – What It Is and Its Importance for Professional Drivers
- How to Obtain the EHIC Card for an International Driver in Poland? Step by Step
- Validity Period of the EHIC Card, Consequences of Lack of the Document, and Additional Coverage
- Rules for Using EHIC in EFTA Countries
- EHIC Card for International Drivers – Summary
- The EHIC Card for international drivers - Frequently Asked Questions
EHIC Card – What It Is and Its Importance for Professional Drivers
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is an official EU document confirming the right to free medical treatment in EU and EFTA countries. International drivers should have the employee EHIC card, which offers the same coverage as the tourist card but is specifically issued for people working abroad.
Scope of the EHIC Card
The EHIC card provides access to necessary and unplanned medical treatment during a stay in another country. The decision on the necessity of treatment is made by a doctor in the given country, considering the driver’s health condition and planned length of stay. This allows the driver to use medical services under the same conditions as residents of the country they are currently in.
Countries Where the EHIC Card Provides Insurance for Professional Drivers
The international EHIC card is valid in all European Union countries, EFTA countries (Iceland, Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein), and overseas territories:
- French territories (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion);
- Portuguese territories (Azores, Madeira);
- Spanish territories (Majorca, Canary Islands).
The EHIC card is not valid in Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City.
Who Issues the EHIC Card in Poland?
In Poland, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is issued by the National Health Fund (NFZ).
How to Obtain the EHIC Card for an International Driver in Poland? Step by Step
Obtaining the employee EHIC card for an international driver in Poland consists of two stages. The first concerns obtaining the A1 certificate, which is the employer’s responsibility. The second stage is submitting the EKUZ card application by the driver or the employer on their behalf.
Stage 1: Obtaining the A1 Certificate
The A1 certificate confirms that during work abroad, insurance and contributions are regulated under Polish law. The driver’s employer can submit the A1 application electronically via the PUE ZUS platform.
The A1 certificate is usually issued for up to 12 months, although in some cases ZUS may specify a shorter validity period. This document is the basis for further actions related to obtaining the EHIC card.
Stage 2: Submitting the EHIC Card Application
After receiving the A1 certificate, proceed to the EHIC card application stage. The application form can be downloaded from pacjent.gov.pl or the NFZ website. The application can be submitted in three ways:
- Electronically by sending the application to ekuz.praca@nfz.gov.pl;
- Via ePUAP by logging into the platform and selecting “Issuance of EHIC card related to work abroad”;
- In person at the NFZ branch appropriate for the place of residence.
Waiting Time for the EHIC Card in Poland
The application processing time is up to 5 working days, but from June to September, it may extend to 10 working days.
Cost of Issuing the European Health Insurance Card
Issuing the EHIC card in Poland is completely free of charge.
Employee EHIC Card vs. Tourist EHIC Card
There are two versions of the EHIC card – employee and tourist.
The employee EHIC card, used by international drivers, confirms the right to health services while performing work duties abroad.
The tourist EHIC card is issued to people traveling privately, e.g., on vacation or short trips. Both operate under the same rules in public healthcare facilities. The difference is that the employee version requires prior obtaining of the A1 certificate from ZUS.
Sample application for issuing an EHIC card in connection with work, [Source]
Validity Period of the EHIC Card, Consequences of Lack of the Document, and Additional Coverage
The validity of the EHIC card for an international driver is directly linked to the period indicated on the A1 certificate. If the employment contract is shorter, both the A1 certificate and the EHIC card will have a correspondingly shorter validity period.
It is worth noting that the EHIC card for employed persons is usually valid for up to 3 years, but the actual validity depends on insurance status and may be shorter—for example, in the case of fixed-term contracts or other limited grounds for health insurance.
Consequences of Not Having the EHIC Card While Working Abroad
Lacking the EHIC card during a stay abroad entails serious financial consequences for the driver. They will be treated as uninsured and charged for medical treatment in the EU or EFTA according to national rates. These amounts can reach hundreds or even thousands of euros for a single doctor’s visit or diagnostic tests.
After returning to Poland, it is possible to apply for reimbursement of incurred costs at the NFZ regional branch, but this requires complete medical documentation. The reimbursement procedure is time-consuming and does not guarantee full compensation of expenses.
Limitations of the EHIC Card That Drivers Should Know
The EHIC card does not cover medical transport to Poland, repatriation of remains, or rescue operations. Moreover, not all medical costs in the EU are covered by the EHIC card, which creates an obligation to co-pay for some medical services, meaning additional expenses for the driver even with the EHIC card.
Additional Health Insurance as a Supplement to EHIC
Transport company employees often opt for additional international insurance for drivers, which provides broader protection. Such a policy usually covers:
- Full costs of treatment abroad;
- Organization and financing of medical transport;
- Coverage of rescue operation costs;
- Accident insurance (NNW) and liability insurance (OC);
- Repatriation of remains.
The cost of international driver insurance usually amounts to several dozen euros per year, protecting against potential expenses reaching tens of thousands of zlotys.
Rules for Using EHIC in EFTA Countries
Professional drivers traveling to European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries (Iceland, Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein) can use the EHIC card under the same conditions as citizens of those countries. This means that in case of sudden illness or accident while performing work duties, the driver has the right to necessary medical care in public healthcare facilities.
EHIC Card for International Drivers – Summary
The EHIC card is a document confirming the right of an international driver to free or partially reimbursed medical care in EU and EFTA countries. To obtain it, you must first get the A1 certificate from ZUS and then submit an application to NFZ—either in person, online, or via ePUAP. The EHIC card is issued free of charge, and its validity depends on the period indicated in the A1 certificate (usually up to one year). However, the document does not cover all costs, so drivers often supplement it with additional health insurance.
If you run a company in the international transport sector and need support with transport accounting, international drivers’ payroll calculation, or HR and payroll, the Evotax team is ready to help! Contact us and indicate your challenges, and our specialists will take care of the rest!
The EHIC Card for international drivers - Frequently Asked Questions
Below, we've gathered and answered the most frequently asked questions about the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for international drivers. If you're looking for something that's missing, please contact us and our specialists will be happy to help!
How quickly can the EHIC card be obtained for an international driver?
The standard processing time for the EHIC Card in Poland is up to 5 working days, but from June to September it may take up to 10 working days. It is advisable to apply well in advance of the planned trip.
What documents are required to obtain the EHIC card for a driver?
Does the EHIC card cover all medical treatment costs abroad?
How long is the EHIC card valid for an international driver?
Is it worth having additional insurance besides the EHIC card?
Which authority issues the EHIC card in Poland?
Can a driver from outside the EU (e.g., from Ukraine) obtain the EHIC card in Poland?
Are the rules for using EHIC in EFTA countries different from those in the EU?
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