Prologue: A Decision Made Years Ago
It was 2022. COVID was raging across the world, and I felt a gripping fear - “is World War III about to start in Ukraine?” And another thought - “I’m about to turn 40.”
I remember that feeling - you wake up one day and feel “older than yesterday.” Not sick, not weak, just… aware of time passing.
I thought about my family. About the fact that serious illnesses - cancer, heart attacks, strokes - do happen. Maybe not now, maybe in 10-20 years, but they happen. And that it’s worth getting protection while “nothing is happening.” I switched on my “rational pragmatism” - I’d get better terms now.
I bought a critical illness policy in Poland. About €25 per month for comprehensive coverage up to €2 million. Planning ahead. A rational decision by someone who intended to live for a long time.
I didn’t expect that decision to change my life just three years later.
The Diagnosis
In November 2025, I heard words that turned my world upside down - a tumour or lesion on my stomach.
Shock. Disbelief. Searching for help - private clinics, specialists, doctor friends. In all this chaos, I completely forgot about the insurance. After all, I don’t need to go abroad for treatment, right? It’s probably nothing serious, can’t be that bad because I’m young, strong and healthy, right…?
The following weeks brought increasingly worse news. The lesion got a new name - malignant gastric adenocarcinoma. Imaging tests showed metastases to other organs (distant? what does that even mean!?), infiltrations… At the tumour board, doctors described my situation with words: inoperable, palliative treatment, chronic disease…
Is it time for the insurance now? Should I run and look outside Poland?! No, they know what they’re doing, I still have a strong body and will to live - it’ll be ok!
During my first chemotherapy session in a Polish hospital, I experienced something that made me realise the scale of the problem. Doctors and nurses do their best - they really do! These are wonderful people who help patients every day.
But… at every turn, I learned that certain medications, tests, methods, and techniques are simply unavailable within our public health system.
Additional tests? Searching for alternatives? “If the patient wants, they can look on their own.”
Doctors don’t forbid it, but they won’t support it either - they don’t have the resources or time.
Taking Control
I understood something important then. The fact that I felt reasonably well and could act proactively meant I could take control.
No, not could - I had to take control!
I had to search for solutions. I needed to better understand my situation - how does this bloody cancer work!? What to do and what not to?! What aren’t doctors telling me because “there’s no point” and what do all these words mean that they say but I don’t understand…
I needed options… more options, different options!
It takes a lot of work and effort, but it gives you a sense that YOU CAN - that you’re not just a helpless cog in a machine that “does what it can, as effectively as it can.”
And then I remembered the insurance…
My Experience with Global Doctors
I activated my policy on 8 December 2025. That same day, a Case Coordinator from We Go Further (the company that provides the overseas treatment coordination service) called me.
The first step was setting up a box.com account to exchange documents. Within minutes, I had uploaded scans of my entire medical history and test results from recent months. Confirmation came quickly - documents sent to the consulting physician.
It had been exactly one month since I heard my diagnosis. I had far more questions than answers. Fears were tearing at me - did the doctors run all the necessary tests? Did they order the right ones? Why didn’t they do test X, Y, or Z?!
A pleasant surprise: through the coordinator, I could submit my questions and concerns and receive answers either from We Go Further staff or in the second opinion report prepared by the reviewing physician.
I sent over 20 questions across 5-6 emails. The coordinator was very understanding and responded promptly until 16-17 December… Then something “unthinkable” happened - people went on holiday. My world was racing like a train toward a tunnel that hadn’t been fully carved through the rock yet, and suddenly… silence.
I don’t recommend anyone getting a serious illness just before Christmas - very few people are working and attending to frightened patients… obvious in hindsight, but it still frustrated me terribly.
22 December 2025 - I received the second opinion report in English. My questions were answered, with extensive details about the assessment methods used - WHO guidelines, etc. It wasn’t quite what I expected - I’d hoped for a more holistic approach and more information about what I could do. That was a bit naive - this is still hospital treatment according to international standards, not pointers to experimental therapies. Still, I’d miscalculated somewhat. But the simple fact that I received the report, could read it, understand it - that let me breathe a little easier. It didn’t bring peace for Christmas - I doubt I’ll know that for a long time - but I felt better. I was tired after my first chemo, but happy to spend the holidays with family and know a bit more. Many questions challenging the decisions of doctors in Wrocław were addressed - they had treated me properly and made the right decisions. Relief!
The following days were wonderful - delicious food that my body somehow accepted with joy and gratitude. Maybe it was the holiday atmosphere, the sentimental attachment to traditional dishes, or something else - but my appetite returned and things were good.
29 December 2025 - I received an expanded report with a Polish translation. It didn’t add much new, but it was nice to have - I could show it to family members who wanted to know more but “don’t do English.”
That same day, I received a document with three recommended clinics.
Choice of Clinic - I received treatment proposals from three renowned European centres:
- Clínica Universidad de Navarra (CUN) in Madrid
- San Raffaele in Milan
- Helios Klinikum in Berlin
I could choose where I wanted to be treated. I checked opinions - internet + friends from different countries. I checked travel options - frequent flights? Drive by car? Options, options… and choices.
On one hand - my choice. Not the system’s decision - I had a bit of control again :) On the other hand - choosing a place felt a bit like picking from a restaurant menu - a few options, but are they any good?!
I verified their quality and reputation online, on forums, through research using Perplexity, ChatGPT, and Claude. They proposed 3 clinics; 2 were in the global top 40 (ranked 34th and 36th) for oncology treatment.
That calmed me down. On to the paperwork.
Forms to fill out regarding travel preferences:
- Choice of accompanying person - you can name two people, with one travelling with you; nice to have a backup if one person can’t make a particular date
- Transport preferences
- Data processing consents - yes, GDPR is everywhere
I completed the documents and the waiting began… again.
The coordinator stayed in touch. The first week of 2026 didn’t bring additional information - for some people the year starts slowly, and the world was teaching me patience.
Only in the second week of January did I receive proposed dates for consultations and possible tests at the clinics in Madrid (CUN) and Milan (San Raffaele) - I chose Madrid.
I got the name of the doctor I would meet. A doctor friend of friends confirmed that she’s an excellent professional; one of the best at the hospital - we calmed down and patiently waited for our trip to Madrid on 20 January 2026…
The insurer organised the travel and hospital visit - taxis to and from the airport, flights, and a hotel near the hospital. Meals beyond breakfast, hotel-to-hospital transport, and other costs were on us.
Madrid
We flew to Madrid - WizzAir instead of Lufthansa - we chose a direct flight to make the journey shorter and less tiring. A taxi picked us up from home to Wrocław airport. Then in Madrid, we took a taxi from the airport to the hotel - 15 minutes, a short ride, and the hotel was 800 metres from the hospital. A pleasant walk the next day.
We rested and did some work with Marta.
On Wednesday, after a delicious breakfast, we headed to the hospital - a 20-minute leisurely walk and we found ourselves looking at an elegant modern building. The interior was very bright, very spacious, and pleasant - I didn’t expect to ever say that about a hospital.
We spent 10 minutes at reception - a kind woman helped us in English. The insurer had arranged a translator, but at this stage Ms Daniela didn’t have much to do.
We waited for our appointment about 15-20 minutes - there weren’t many people in the waiting room, quite different from the queues we know from Poland.
I’d rate the consultation as very pleasant. The doctor walked me and my wife through how the treatment process works at their hospital. She explained which tests they would run - they met our expectations. Nobody frightened us with the disease, prognosis, or how advanced the cancer was.
I had space for questions. I had 6 A4 pages printed out to get the most from the meeting. The doctor answered most of them herself while describing the process. Genetic tests would be performed quickly using samples from my biopsy. Within 2-3 weeks we could meet again to discuss results and prepare a (potentially) modified therapy plan. Great!
And that was it… Spain surprised us with rain and rather unpleasant weather - 2-3 degrees Celsius didn’t encourage long walks and sightseeing. Lunch at a nearby restaurant and back to the hotel - work + dinner and rest before travelling home Thursday morning.
At 13:00 on 22 January 2026, we landed in Wrocław. A taxi was waiting for us outside the airport and moments later we were enjoying being home. We greeted the kids, had coffee + tea, and could devote a few hours to work.
Now I wait. Genetic test results - Claudin 18.2, IHC, PCP, NGS, FGF2, MET… a mass of acronyms whose meaning I’m starting to understand.
I’m waiting for one of them to point to additional, more modern therapies. Ones that will support fighting the cancer and make me healthy again!
And something else hit me: these tests alone cost more than 3-4 years of paying for the insurance. And this is just the beginning of treatment.
Second Opinion - Standard or Luxury?
In Poland, seeking a second medical opinion isn’t common practice. Doctors sometimes seem offended when you look for consultation elsewhere. In Western Europe, it’s standard. Nobody takes offence - they understand it’s about your life and you have every right to seek the best options.
My insurance gave me access to this standard. Not as a luxury for the wealthy, but as part of a policy costing less than €25 per month.
Why I’m Writing This
I’m not a partner or affiliate of any insurance company. I’m a customer - a patient who is grateful that three years ago I decided to “plan ahead.”
I’m writing because I want to share with friends what I know and what works. Because if someone had told me about this earlier, maybe I would have made this decision even sooner.
Critical Illness Insurance Options Across Europe
For my friends and colleagues in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Italy, and France - here’s what I found researching similar options. Please note: this is based on online research, not first-hand experience. Always verify with local insurance agents for the most accurate and current information.
United Kingdom
The UK has a well-developed critical illness insurance market.
Major Providers:
- Bupa - Pioneer in health insurance, comprehensive coverage
- Aviva - Wide illness coverage, “Cancer Promise” programme
- Vitality - Cancer specialisation with “Full Cover Promise”
- Legal & General - Established critical illness cover
What’s Typically Covered: Most policies cover 30-60 conditions, always including:
- All types of cancer
- Heart attacks
- Strokes
- Kidney failure
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
Approximate Costs (£50,000 coverage):
| Age | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| 30 | £15-20 |
| 35 | £20-25 |
| 40 | £28-35 |
Useful Links:
Ireland
Irish critical illness policies are known for broad definitions and comprehensive coverage.
Major Providers:
- Irish Life - 48 conditions for full payout
- Aviva Ireland - 52 full + 45 partial conditions
- Royal London - 60 full + 40 partial conditions
- Zurich - Critical illness rider options
Approximate Costs:
- Starting from €15/month for standalone serious illness cover
- Typically €15-50+/month depending on coverage amount
Useful Links:
Germany
Critical illness insurance (“Dread Disease” or “Schwere Krankheiten Versicherung”) is growing in popularity, especially among expats.
Major Providers:
- R+V Versicherung - Specialist programmes
- Nürnberger Versicherung - Covers 300+ types of cancer
- Allianz - Various critical illness products
- Private Health Insurance (PKV) - Essential for self-employed
Key Notes:
- Critical illness insurance doesn’t have the same long tradition as in UK/Ireland
- Prices are typically negotiated individually
- Estimated range: €20-100/month depending on coverage
Useful Links:
Italy
Italian policies tend to be more specialised, particularly focusing on cancer protection.
Major Providers:
- Allianz Protezione Oncologica - Dedicated oncological policy
- Generali - Cancer care cover
- Bupa Global - Major Medical plans
Approximate Costs (Allianz Cancer Protection, ages 18-55):
| Plan | Annual Premium | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | €240/year | €10,000 |
| Plus | €360/year | €30,000 |
| Premium | €480/year | €50,000 |
| Top | €600-960/year | €70,000-100,000 |
Useful Links:
France
France operates on a public-private system. Traditional critical illness cover as such doesn’t exist - instead:
How It Works:
- Assurance Maladie (public insurance) covers 70-80% of costs
- Mutuelle (complementary insurance) covers the rest
Options:
- Public system: ~6.5% of taxable income (automatic after 3 months residency)
- Mutuelle: €50-200/month depending on level
- Feather - New player focusing on expats
Useful Links:
International Options
For those who travel frequently or live across multiple countries:
- Foyer Global Health (Luxembourg) - International expat health insurance
- Bupa Global - Worldwide coverage
- AXA Global Healthcare - International plans
Key Takeaways
Timing matters - The younger and healthier you are when buying, the better terms and lower premiums you’ll get.
Waiting periods exist - Policies don’t work immediately. In my case, 3 years passed between purchase and diagnosis. Had I bought insurance after diagnosis, it would have been too late.
Public healthcare does its best - But systems have limitations. Additional protection isn’t a vote of no confidence in doctors; it’s pragmatism.
Control gives strength - Even in the most difficult situation, knowing you have options, that you can search, that someone will help you - that’s priceless.
Second opinions are standard - Don’t feel embarrassed to seek another doctor’s view. In most of Western Europe, this is expected and encouraged.
Disclaimer
I am not a partner, affiliate, or representative of any insurance company mentioned in this post. I am simply a customer who is satisfied with the decision to purchase critical illness insurance before I needed it.
The information about insurance options in various countries is based on online research and the report I compiled. This is not financial or medical advice. Insurance products, prices, and conditions change frequently. Please:
- Consult with licensed insurance agents in your country
- Read the full terms and conditions before purchasing
- Verify current prices and coverage details directly with providers
- Consider your personal circumstances and health situation
If you have questions about my personal experience, feel free to reach out. I’m happy to share more details about my journey.