Poland Revokes Licenses of Ukrainian Doctors: Why Are Medical Professionals Losing Their Right to Practice?

Poland has begun revoking the licenses of doctors from non-EU countries due to new language requirements. Find out why Ukrainian medical professionals are losing their right to practice and what is required to have their qualifications re-certified

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Starting May 1, 2026, Poland began revoking the licenses of doctors from countries outside the European Union. As reported by wydarzenia.interia.pl, 146 specialists lost their right to practice medicine, most of whom are Ukrainian citizens.

The reason was the introduction of a mandatory requirement to demonstrate proficiency in Polish at the B1 level. From now on, without the appropriate certificate, doctors cannot renew their work permits in the Polish healthcare system.

Why are Ukrainian doctors in Poland losing their licenses?

After the start of the full-scale war, Poland simplified the employment procedure for Ukrainian medical professionals. This allowed thousands of doctors to quickly obtain work permits and assist the Polish healthcare system, which was facing a staffing shortage.

However, the rules have now become stricter. To continue practicing, medical professionals must officially confirm their knowledge of the Polish language at the B1 level.

According to Polish medical organizations, there are currently about 3,000 Ukrainian doctors working in the country. At the same time, approximately one in three of them has not yet provided a language certificate.

The President of the Supreme Medical Council of Poland emphasized that there will be no compromises regarding language proficiency. The Polish side believes that a sufficient level of language proficiency directly affects patient safety and the quality of medical services.

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What awaits doctors after their licenses are revoked?

The biggest problem for medical professionals is that they can no longer use the simplified procedure again. Doctors whose licenses have been revoked will have to undergo the full qualification verification process. It includes:

● diploma recognition;

● verification of education;

● passing the state medical exam;

● completing additional formal procedures.

In effect, this means a significantly longer and more complicated path back to the profession.

For Ukrainians planning to work or stay long-term in Poland and other EU countries, it is also important to check in advance the requirements for documents, legalization, and insurance coverage. On Visit Ukraine, you can purchase medical insurance for travel abroad and find up-to-date information on residence rules for Ukrainians in various countries.

Could the rules change?

Despite the restrictions already in place, discussions surrounding the situation continue. The Polish Ministry of Health proposes extending the option for medical professionals to work without a language certificate for another year. In this way, the authorities are attempting to avoid a staff shortage in hospitals. However, the Supreme Medical Council opposes this decision and insists on compliance with the new standards without exceptions.

As there is no final compromise between the parties yet, the issue of proving Polish language proficiency remains critically important for Ukrainian doctors.

Experts note that the new rules could significantly impact the labor market. Some doctors may lose the opportunity to practice their profession, while Polish medical institutions may face additional staffing shortages. At the same time, the Polish side emphasizes that language integration is a necessary condition for full-fledged work in the healthcare system.

We remind you! Poland has extended the deadline for the language exam for Ukrainian doctors until 2027. Read about who is affected by the changes, what language level is required, and how this will impact doctors’ work.

Photo: Freepik

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