Underage students are persons who are less than 18 years of age during studies. They are bound by the same study rules as adults, but some aspects of student life may differ. Sometimes, in order to organize or take part in events addressed to students, they must obtain a written consent of their parent or legal guardian. This applies in particular to events and assemblies on university premises (more information can be found in Appendix No. 4 to the JU Statute and procedures issued on its basis.
More information regarding underage students may be found on https://rekrutacja.uj.edu.pl/niepelnoletni
Aspects of life in Poland that require a parent’s/legal guardian’s consent
During classes in some courses (chemistry, biochemistry, biology, pharmacy, medicine, etc.) students are exposed to harmful factors – devices, chemical and biological agents, radiation (to a limited extent); some courses require considerable physical effort (e.g. hiking as part of the geography course).
To provide student safety, the university refers the candidates aspiring to join such courses to an occupational doctor who checks whether their health status allows them to take part in classes where such harmful factors occur (https://studiuje.uj.edu.pl/studenci/badania-i-bhk/badania; https://studiuje.uj.edu.pl/doktoranci/badania-i-bhk/badania; https://ibhp.uj.edu.pl/ocena-ryzyka-zawodowego/prace-na-wydzialach-przyrodniczych).
Pursuant to the applicable legal provisions, an underage person must appear for examination by an occupational doctor with his or her parent/legal guardian.
When starting studies, every foreigner must have a health insurance policy valid for at least one year of study or must sign a contract with the Polish National Health Fund (NFZ), which provides medical care, both primary and specialist health care, and hospital treatment if necessary. To obtain access to such services, you must sign a contract at a branch of the NFZ and pay a monthly contribution. Foreigners with a valid Polish Charter or documented Polish descent may be insured by the university provided that they sign a contract with the NFZ and bring it to the JU Student Self-Government in the same month (ul. Czapskich 4, room 23).
The insurance policy or contract with the NFZ must be signed by a parent/legal guardian on behalf of an underage person.
Addresses of NFZ branches in Kraków:ul. Batorego 24
If an underage person suffers an accident or falls ill, contact with the doctor must take place in the presence of his or her parent/legal guardian.
When an underage student lives in a flat rented on the free market, the tenancy agreement must be signed by his or her parent/legal guardian.
During a stay in Poland, it’s worth considering opening a bank account. Many banks offer discounts and facilities to students. The opening of a bank account requires signing an agreement that must be signed by a parent/legal guardian on behalf of an underage person.
If an underage student has a subscription to a Polish phone number or access to the internet, the agreement must be signed by the parent/legal guardian on his or her behalf. In the case of prepaid phones, number registration may be carried out by a person who is 13 years of age provided that they have an identity document (personal card or passport).