Moving to work in another country always brings many questions. One of the most important is: “What should I do if I get sick?”. Today, we explain in detail how health insurance works and what rules apply in our company.
1. Free Medical Care (NFZ) – You Are Insured!
Working under a Mandate Contract (Umowa Zlecenie) or Employment Contract (Umowa o Pracę), you are automatically covered by health insurance (ZUS).
- Your Right: You can visit family doctors, have tests, and receive help in public hospitals free of charge.
- What You Need: Just your PESEL number. At the clinic (POZ) reception, the system will automatically confirm that you are legally employed and insured.
2. Paid Sick Leave (Sickness Contribution)
It is important to understand the difference between contract types:
- Employment Contract: Sickness insurance is mandatory.
- Mandate Contract (Zlecenie): The sickness contribution (2.45%) is voluntary. Only YOU decide if you want to pay it.
- Why is it important? If you pay this contribution, you become eligible for paid sick leave (L4) after 90 days of coverage. If not, your sick time will be unpaid, although the treatment itself remains free.
3. Modern Digital Services (E-prescriptions and E-L4)
Medicine in Poland operates online:
- E-prescription: You receive a code via SMS, which you provide at the pharmacy along with your PESEL.
- E-sick leave: The doctor issues it electronically. As your employer, we see it immediately in the system. You don’t need to bring paper certificates – focus on your recovery.
4. Absence Reporting Rules (Important!) ❗
We value order and mutual respect. If you feel unwell and cannot show up for your shift:
- Contact your coordinator: You must immediately inform our company representative about your absence.
- Contact list in your contract: Remember that your contract includes a list of phone numbers for employees responsible for various areas (coordinators, HR, logistics). Each of them is there to help you solve specific issues.
5. Emergency Help (Nights and Weekends) 🚨
If your condition worsens after 6:00 PM or on a weekend, use:
- Night and Holiday Healthcare (Wieczorynka) – for standard symptoms.
- SOR (Emergency Room) – strictly for life-threatening situations.