An Insurance Policy in English for a Foreign National—When Is It Needed?

A document in English may be required of a foreign national submitting visa documents, but not because every consular office always requires an English version. The type of visa, the location where the application is submitted, and the current instructions from the relevant consular office are of key importance. At one consulate, a document in English may be accepted without a translation, while at another, additional documents in their original language may require an official translation into Polish or English. Therefore, before purchasing a policy, it’s worth distinguishing between two issues: the scope of coverage and the language of the document. The English version of the policy does not replace the actual scope of coverage, and the correct amount and duration of coverage do not necessarily determine whether a given institution will accept the language of the certificate.

Does an insurance policy for a foreign national have to be in English?

There is no basis for treating English as a single, universal requirement for every insurance policy and every visa application. Information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicates that the types of supporting documents may vary depending on the country where the application is submitted. For a detailed list, please contact the appropriate consular office. The current instructions issued by the consulate with jurisdiction over the place where the application is filed are decisive., rather than the common belief that the English version is always sufficient.

The difference is well illustrated by the guidelines of two Polish diplomatic missions. The mission in Cyprus states that official documents in Polish, Greek, or English do not require a certified translation, whereas this requirement applies to documents drawn up in other languages. In contrast, the mission in Iraq requires that additional documents submitted in their original language be officially translated into English or Polish. Language requirements may be specific to a particular location and vary depending on the mission.

In practice, an English version is useful when it is specified in a consulate’s list of required documents or when the consulate accepts documents in English. However, you should not assume that an English certificate alone guarantees that your application will be accepted. The consul may require additional documents, and the completeness of the documents is assessed according to the consulate’s current guidelines.

If you'd like a more detailed discussion of this topic, be sure to read the guide on Insurance for a foreign national in English.

When is an insurance document required for a visa?

Type C Schengen Visa

With a Schengen Type C visa, travel medical insurance must meet several requirements at once. The minimum coverage amount is at least 30,000 euros. Protection is supposed to be important throughout the Schengen Area and include the entire planned stay or transit.

The coverage required by visa regulations includes expenses related to return travel due to medical reasons, the need for urgent medical care, emergency hospitalization, or death. This is coverage for emergencies, not a guarantee of any specific medical service. The policy’s coverage must be adequate for the purpose of the visa, regardless of the language of the document.

For a single- or double-entry visa, you must provide proof of appropriate, valid insurance. For a multiple-entry visa, the proof submitted with the application must include the date of the first scheduled visit. Applicants for this type of visa must also sign the statement attached to the application form, confirming that they are aware of the requirement to have travel medical insurance during subsequent stays.

For anyone planning to work and live in Poland, a description of how it works can be a helpful resource Medical Expense Insurance Policy for Foreign Nationals. However, the territorial scope and duration of protection must still be tailored to the specific proceedings.

Type D National Visa

When entering the country on a national visa, the Act on Foreigners requires a document confirming health insurance as defined by the Act on Publicly Funded Health Care Benefits, or travel medical insurance with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros. Travel medical insurance must be valid for the duration of the planned stay in Poland and cover expenses that may arise in connection with a return trip for medical reasons, the need for emergency medical care, urgent hospitalization, or death. The insurer undertakes to cover the costs of health care services directly to the provider of such services, based on an invoice issued by that provider.

The rules regarding the C visa should not be automatically applied to all procedures related to residence in Poland. If you are applying for a national visa, you should visit the page dedicated to insurance for a national visa. If the purpose of the stay is different, a suitable starting point might be insurance for residence card.

What should you check in the policy and certificate?

The certificate is intended to verify that the insurance meets the requirements of the specific application process. It is not enough for the word „Schengen” to appear in the header or for the entire document to be written in English. Before submitting the application, you should compare its content with the consulate’s current list of requirements.

Check the following one by one:

If the document consists of a policy, a certificate, and additional terms and conditions, do not accidentally send just one page without verifying that it contains all the information needed to assess the coverage. The set of documents should be legible and consistent with one another.

The coverage provided by the available insurance policies may vary depending on their terms and conditions. For example, the General Terms and Conditions of Compensa’s clause regarding medical expenses in Poland provide coverage for medically necessary treatment costs for an illness or the consequences of an accident that the insured must undergo immediately while staying in Poland. This description must not be applied to every product nor should they be considered confirmation of the language of the certificate. You can find general information about the solution on the website Insurance for Foreigners.

How can you prepare a document without making costly mistakes?

First, determine which procedure you need the policy for: a C visa, a D visa, or a residence permit. Next, open the current instructions for the office where you will actually be submitting your application. Do not rely on a list of required documents from another country, even if it pertains to a Polish visa.

Before purchasing, check whether the coverage period and territory match your travel plans. Only then should you determine in which language the document should be issued and whether an official translation is required. Following this sequence reduces the risk of purchasing a certificate in English that appears valid but does not confirm all the required details.

After receiving the documents, compare the spelling of your first and last name with the information on your travel document, and verify the dates, territory, amount, and description of coverage. Any errors in the basic information must be clarified before submitting the application. It is also important that the file be legible and that a copy of the document be available for redownload or printing. Detailed technical instructions can be found in the guide on printing the Schengen policy and certificate.

Finally, check the list of required documents against the list provided by the appropriate consulate one more time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Insurance Policy in English — The Most Important Conclusion

First, choose insurance that matches the type of visa, duration, and territory of your stay. Then, check the language of the document in the current guidelines from the relevant consulate.