When preparing for your trip to Toruń, please pay particular attention to the following formalities and tips:

VISA AND RESIDENCE PROCEDURES:

1. EU citizens and citizens from EFTA countries (Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Switzerland), do not need any visa to enter Poland. If they plan to stay in Poland up to 3 months, they only need an ID document (a valid passport, or another document certifying their identity and citizenship), with the exception of citizens of Switzerland who should present their valid passport.
   If, however, your stay in Poland is for more than 3 months, you should apply for registering the residence (ZAREJESTROWANIE POBYTU) at Voievodeship's Office in Bydgoszcz (Wydział Spraw Obywatelskich i Migracji) at the Civil Affairs and Migration Office.
   URZĄD WOJEWÓDZKI is situated in Bydgoszcz, ul. Konarskiego 1, VI floor, room 62, tel. 052 34 97 246/249 (Office hours: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Mon. - Fri.; and 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tue.)

   The documents that are required in order to apply for registering the residence are as follows:

   • A letter from the International Programmes Office in Toruń confirming that you are the student of the Nicolaus Copernicus University (+2 copies)
     
   • A letter from your home university stating the amount of ERASMUS grant you receive (in English) (+ 2 copies)
     
   • 4 copies of your passport (the page with the photo and information on citizenship)
   • Certificate of your legal accommodation (MELDUNEK) provided by the Head of the Student Dormitory (+ 2 copies).
   • 3 copies of the European Health Insurance Card. If you have private Health Insurance which is valid in Poland during the whole period of stay, you have to have it translated into Polish by a sworn translator.
   • four copies of the application form for registering the residence completed in Polish
   
   Charge for issuing: 1 zloty
   Length of anticipation: about 30 days
   
   
2. Citizens from non-EU/EFTA countries require a visa to enter the territory of Poland. The visas are issued by the Polish Consulates or Embassies in your country of residence. You should apply for a long-term visa for the whole planned period of stay in Poland.
   To obtain a visa you need the following documents:
   • A valid passport
   • Visa application form
   • Current passport photographs
   • A letter of acceptance as an Erasmus student from the Nicolaus Copernicus University with the dates of your studies in Toruń
   • An official statement from your home institution confirming the amount of grant
   Detailed information on entry regulations for your country can be obtained from the Polish Consulate or Embassy in your home country.
   Addresses of Polish embassies and consulates can be found on the internet:
   erasmus.org.pl/preview.php/ida/70/
   See also the web-site of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
   www.msz.gov.pl/ > International version > Consular Information > Polish Missions Abroad
   or                        > International version > Info for foreign visitors
   

   If you have a visa for the duration of your studies in Poland, you are not obliged to apply for a residence permit.

INSURANCE AND MEDICAL CARE IN POLAND

All international students/lecturers coming to Poland require an adequate health insurance. Proof of it for the time of your stay in Poland has to be presented upon your arrival at Toruń, when you apply for a valid residence status in Poland (see Visa and Residence Procedures 1) and when you register at our university.

1. If you come from an EU/EFTA country (excluding Switzerland) you should bring the European Health Insurance Card or its substitute certificate, completed by the public health insurance company in your home country. On the basis of this document you will be entitled to a free medical assistance in Poland according to the Polish state health regulations.
   Provided you have private health care cover in your home country and this insurance is valid in Poland during your stay, you may also bring a certificate issued by your private health insurance company. The dates included in this certificate should be correspondent to the time of your stay in Poland. In case of the private health insurance you have to pay for a medical consultation both at public and private sector. The cost is then reimbursed by your health insurance company.
2. Citizens of non-EU/EFTA (including Switzerland) countries should purchase health care and casualty insurances in your home country before departure.

More information on the health state regulations in Poland can be found on the Internet pages of the National Health Fund (NARODOWY FUNDUSZ ZDROWIA):
www.nfz.gov.pl/new/ > Health care in Poland
www.nfz.gov.pl/ue/?katnr=5&dzialnr=2&artnr=716&czartnr=2

MEDICAL CARE AT NCU

At the Nicolaus Copernicus University Healthcare services are provided by an outpatient clinic, the Academic Medical Centre (APL - AKADEMICKA PRZYCHODNIA LEKARSKA) and include appointments with general practitioners, specialists, dentists as well as laboratory and X-ray examinations. International students and lecturers should present at the registration desk the European Health Insurance Card or a full private medical insurance translated into Polish (please take also your national ID-card and Polish student ID-card). General practitioners can be consulted for around 55 złoty (about 12 Euro).
APL is located in Bielany Campus (close to Od Nowa club) at ul. Gagarina 39. It is open from 7.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. (Mo - Fr) (registration desk: 611 46 58 or 654 20 20).
If you prefer private health service, it is best to look for a specialist in our local directory. One visit costs about 60-100 złoty (about 13-22 Euro).

It is worth knowing that in the student dormitory no 11 - DS. 11 (in front of the entrance to the building), there is a nurse - Ms Helena Szponka who may provide you with some basic medical help between 7.30 am - 3.00 pm. Her phone number is: 611 49 83. Please note that if you do not speak Polish, ask your friend or Mentor to contact the nurse.

If medical help is required during weekends, bank holidays or after 6 p.m. between Monday and Friday, call the Ambulance in emergency situations (tel. 999) or in other situations go to the CITOMED at ul. Tuwima 9 (tel. 56 6228493, 56 6210740) or at Skłodowskiej-Curie 73 (tel. 56 6584444, 56 6584455).

In case of accident, you may go directly to the Emergency Surgery Clinic (AMBULATIORIUM CHIRURGICZNO-URAZOWE) which is open 24 hours. It is located not far from Bielany Campus in the Hospital at ul. Św. Józefa 53/59 (tel. 610-11-31).

If you don't need a doctor, but simply some medicine, find a pharmacy (APTEKA). They're marked with a green cross on a white background. Some medicines are only available when prescribed (e.g. antibiotics) but Polish pharmacies supply also numerous homeopathic and other complementary medicines.

Survival Guide for Visitors

 print form