Insurance for a Foreign National Without a PESEL Number—How to Purchase It?

Not having a PESEL number does not mean that you can enter random information on the application or choose the first available policy. First, check what information the current form requires and whether it allows for the foreign national to be properly identified. The insurance terms and conditions describe the possibility of submitting an application remotely, but they do not guarantee that every sales channel will serve a person without a PESEL number. The terms of the contract and the fields available on the form are two separate issues. Below, we explain how to prepare to purchase medical expense insurance for a foreign national, what to check before submitting the application, and how to avoid data errors. This will make it easier for you to tailor the coverage to the purpose, location, and duration of the stay.

Does not having a PESEL number prevent you from purchasing insurance?

This cannot be determined solely on the basis of the available General Terms and Conditions. The TUZ Ubezpieczenia U/1/2026 insurance terms and conditions, effective as of February 13, 2026, provide for the possibility of submitting information for the application via remote communication methods. However, they do not specify a fixed set of identifiers required for each form. Therefore, the absence of a reference to the PESEL number does not confirm that a particular sales channel allows this field to be omitted.

Do not replace a missing number with a series of zeros, another person’s number, or a document number unless the form specifically allows for this. Incorrect identification may result in a discrepancy between the application and the insurance document.

Also, consider these two separate questions: „Will the form accept my application?” and „Does the selected coverage fit my situation?” You can find information about insurance policies related to residency formalities in the guide on insurance for a national visa. You should check the document requirements for your specific case. The policy itself does not guarantee a specific decision by the authorities.

How do I prepare the information for the application?

The TUZ General Terms and Conditions specify the categories of information to be provided in the application. These include, in particular, the duration and scope of coverage, the policyholder’s information, the third party’s information (if the policy is issued on their behalf), the sum insured, and the purpose of the stay in Poland. In the case of a group policy, the number of insured persons must also be provided. The phrase „in particular” means that this is not an exhaustive list of all the information the insurer may request.

The policyholder and the insured are not always the same person

Under the model described in the General Terms and Conditions, the policyholder enters into the contract and is responsible for the premium, while the insured is the foreign national covered by the policy. The contract may be entered into on behalf of another person. This option is described in both the Terms and Conditions of Insurance and the terms of the Compensa Cudzoziemiec product.

This does not mean that every form supports all configurations. If the application is submitted by an employer, a family member, or another entity, please confirm whether the specific channel supports that relationship before filling out the fields. The information for the policyholder and the insured person should be consistent with the documents used in subsequent procedures.

Set the parameters before entering data

Specify the purpose and duration of your stay, the required coverage period, and the territory. Then read the coverage, limits, and exclusions for the selected option. The page describing Scope of Insurance Coverage for Foreign Nationals It will help you sort out the most important issues, but ultimately, what matters are the insurance policy and the applicable General Terms and Conditions.

Before submitting your application, check the spelling of your first and last name, the dates, and all other information. Also, do not assume that coverage will begin automatically immediately after payment. Check the start date of coverage in the terms and conditions of the product you selected and in the insurance policy issued to you.

What might medical expense coverage include?

Health insurance for foreigners is designed to provide coverage in emergency situations. According to the insurance policy terms and conditions, coverage applies only to immediate medical treatment required following a sudden illness or an accident that occurred during the insurance period.

This coverage includes, among other things, inpatient treatment and medical transport. In the event of the insured person’s death, the policy also covers the transport of the remains to the country of permanent residence or burial or cremation in Poland. Benefits depend on the terms of the policy, the selected coverage amounts, limits, rules for claim settlement, and exclusions. Therefore, the scope must be assessed based on the documentation for the specific product, rather than the policy name alone.

Example: A foreign national staying in Poland suffers a sudden injury and requires transportation to a medical facility and hospitalization. This situation falls within the scope of the coverage described, but coverage of the costs depends on the policy, the General Terms and Conditions, and the circumstances of the incident. This example alone does not guarantee that a claim will be accepted.

Before choosing an option, read the description costs of medical treatment of a foreigner, and then compare it with the documents for a specific policy. Exclusions are not automatically the same for all products. For example, Compensa’s materials specify an exclusion for medical treatment costs when the purpose of the trip is to undergo medical treatment, as well as for costs exceeding what is necessary to restore the insured person to a condition that allows them to return to their country of permanent residence. This provision applies to this specific product.

How can you get through the process without making unnecessary mistakes?

Think of the purchase as a series of quick checks, rather than rushing through the form.

Before submitting your application, please also review the list The Most Common Mistakes When Purchasing Insurance for a Foreign National. It is easier to correct an inaccuracy at this stage than after the document has been issued.

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary: Check if you're eligible for a policy

If you do not have a PESEL number, first check the identification method specified in the particular form. The General Terms and Conditions confirm that application information may be submitted remotely, but they do not guarantee that every sales process will accept an application without this number. Before confirming the details, determine the parties to the contract, the coverage period, and the coverage area. Read the scope, limits, and exclusions, and after the contract is concluded, compare the insurance policy with the information provided in the application.

If the form does not explain what to do if you do not have a PESEL number, do not enter any substitute information. Explain your situation to the staff and ask them to guide you through the proper process.