Co-financing for glasses from the National Health Fund and the employer in 2026

Co-financing of glasses from the National Health Fund in 2026

The National Health Fund's reimbursement covers primarily eyeglass lenses, not frames. The amount of support depends on the patient's age and the type of vision defect.

National Health Fund reimbursement limits:

PLN 25 per lens - with a defect up to ±6 diopters and a cylinder up to ±2 diopters,

PLN 100 per lens - for a larger defect or astigmatism,

PLN 350 per lens - with a defect of ±10 diopters.

Children up to 18 years of age may receive a refund without deductible, in accordance with medical indications, no more than once every six months. Adults can benefit from reimbursement every two years, with a deductible of 10 or 30 percent, depending on the type of lenses.

Reimbursement of contact lenses

The National Health Fund also finances selected contact lenses. Support is:

up to PLN 600 for hard, hybrid or mini-scleral lenses,

up to PLN 150 for soft lenses.

The refund is available for, among others: people with keratoconus, anisometropia above four diopters or aphakia. Usually, it can be used once a year, and the patient's own contribution is 10%.

How to get reimbursement from the National Health Fund?

First, you need to go to an ophthalmologist authorized to issue the order. The order is then carried out by an optician who has a contract with the National Health Fund. The fund does not refund the purchase of frames, and the subsidy is deducted from the price of glasses or contact lenses.

Co-financing of glasses from the employer

An employer must provide glasses or contact lenses to an employee who:

uses a screen monitor for at least half of the daily working time,

received a recommendation from an occupational medicine doctor to undergo vision correction.

The regulations do not specify a single minimum refund amount. Its amount is determined by the employer in the regulations or order. However, the amount should allow you to purchase basic glasses or lenses as recommended by your doctor.

To receive a refund, the employee usually must present a certificate from an occupational medicine doctor, a personalized invoice and a refund application. The frequency of support should not be limited if the doctor determines the need to replace the correction due to vision deterioration.

What to pay attention to?

There is no universal benefit "800 plus for glasses" or "1050 plus for lenses". These are only examples of maximum amounts resulting from the combination of National Health Fund reimbursement and employer co-financing. Each case must be considered individually.