Ukrainian doctors in Poland will no longer be able to use conditional procedures to obtain the right to work in Poland. Find out what is required for employment and when the new rules will take effect

Legal advice for Ukrainians

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Starting from 25 October 2024, doctors, nurses and midwives from Ukraine will no longer be able to use conditional procedures to obtain the right to work in Poland. We will tell you what changes will be implemented.

New rules for Ukrainian doctors in Poland

According to the amendments to the Act on Assistance to Citizens of Ukraine, by the end of April 2026, they will have to provide a certificate confirming their knowledge of Polish at the B1 level and above.

Previously, Ukrainian doctors were able to work in Poland on the basis of temporary rights issued for five years under a special law adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic. These rights are gradually expiring, and renewal requires proof of language proficiency and recognition of qualifications.

The Polish authorities explain that the requirement was introduced to ensure effective communication between doctor and patient, as many specialists had not studied the language sufficiently before, which hindered them.

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What happens if you don't provide a Polish language certificate?

According to the Polish Labour Code, the employer is obliged to verify the qualifications of a healthcare professional. Providing services without a permit entails fines or even imprisonment. Fines may be imposed on both the medical professional and the institution where he/she works.

It is worth noting that such changes are taking place at a time when the medical industry in Poland is experiencing a shortage of specialists. Employers seeking to attract Ukrainian doctors and nurses face difficulties in complying with all bureaucratic requirements. A new employee needs initial supervision and control, and is obliged to comply with the deadlines for obtaining permits.

At the same time, local experts believe that there will be no staffing crisis. Some Ukrainian doctors have already had their diplomas recognised in Poland, while others have moved further west. A large number of local medical graduates are expected to graduate soon, which should compensate for possible staffing gaps.

We would like to remind you that moving to another country, including Poland, is always a crucial moment that requires a careful approach to collecting documents and preparing for the trip. Sometimes this process is delayed or does not bring the expected result. In order to avoid unnecessary difficulties, we recommend that you seek the assistance of lawyers in charge of migration issues, who can help even in the most difficult situations.

By the way, earlier we talked about the new rules for crossing the border with children who have temporary protection in Poland.

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