Medicine and health in Poland
If you have access to NFZ (public system)
Appointments with doctors within the NFZ (public) system are free of charge, but subject to certain conditions:
1. Family doctor (lekarz rodzinny) — the first person you should contact. You choose your family doctor when you register at a clinic (registration).
You can only see a specialist after receiving a referral from your family doctor. Exceptions include gynecologists, psychiatrists, dentists, and dermatologists.
Appointments can be made:
- in person at the clinic's reception desk;
- by phone;
- through the clinics' online portals (not all of them);
- through the IKP (Internetowe Konto Pacjenta) profile — a state-run electronic system for patients.
IKP website (account creation and electronic registration)
Waiting time: in state institutions, queues can be significant — on average from 1 week to several months, depending on the specialist and region.
If you use private healthcare
In private clinics, everything is much simpler:
1. Appointments can be made online, by phone, or via the clinic's mobile app.
2. No referral is needed — you can contact any specialist directly.
3. Appointments are usually scheduled for the next few days (1–3 days, sometimes on the same day).
Popular online appointment services:
- ZnanyLekarz.pl (the largest doctor search portal in Poland)
- LUX MED — clinic appointments
- Medicover — personal patient account
On the ZnanyLekarz website, you can choose a doctor by specialty, language of communication, city, and even view real patient reviews.
Insurance and appointment with a private doctor
Most private clinics accept patients with international insurance or policies issued specifically for Poland.
➡️ Get medical insurance that is valid in Polish clinics and covers visits to a therapist, pediatrician, specialists, as well as tests and diagnostics.
Important to know:
- Many Polish doctors do not speak Ukrainian or Russian. At ZnanyLekarz, you can select the “doctor's language” filter to find a Ukrainian- or English-speaking specialist.
- In public institutions, priority is given to patients with serious conditions or a “cito” (urgent) referral.
- If you have a PESEL UKR, you can see a family doctor at a public clinic free of charge.
In Poland, you won't get very far without health insurance. And we're not just talking about emergencies or calling an ambulance. Even if you want to make a regular appointment with a doctor, you may be refused if you don't have proof of insurance coverage.
The system here works clearly: either you are registered with the NFZ (National Health Fund), or you have private insurance, or you pay the full cost out of your own pocket.
State insurance through the NFZ
State health insurance through the NFZ is usually available to:
- to those who are officially employed in Poland (the employer pays contributions);
- to students of Polish universities (through the educational institution);
- to persons registered as unemployed;
- and most importantly — to Ukrainians with temporary protection status who have a PESEL marked “UKR”.
If you fall into one of these categories, you are entitled to free treatment within the NFZ. But there are nuances here too: not all services are actually available, and queues for narrow specialists can be several months long. Often, even with state coverage, people turn to private clinics — simply to avoid waiting.
Private insurance: when and why?
For tourists, temporary visitors, freelancers, or those who do not yet have official status in Poland, private health insurance is the only real option. It is necessary not only for visiting a doctor, but also for:
- obtaining a visa or residence card;
- submitting documents for study or work;
- renting accommodation in some provinces;
- or simply living a peaceful life without fear of hospital bills.
A private insurance policy covers:
- outpatient treatment (visits to a therapist, pediatrician, gynecologist, etc.);
- consultations with specialists;
- basic diagnostics (tests, ultrasound, X-rays);
- emergency care;
- inpatient treatment (depending on the package).
But it is important to read the terms and conditions carefully. Not all policies include, for example, dentistry or psychotherapy. Some companies have a waiting period for service — up to 30 days from the date of registration.
💡 What do we recommend?
If you have just arrived in Poland, the best option is private insurance, which is valid immediately after registration. It allows you to freely visit doctors, undergo examinations, and feel more comfortable in any situation.
On our website, you can quickly take out a health insurance policy that is suitable for applying for a residence card, studying, working, or simply for using medical services.
The policy is immediately sent to your email, is valid throughout Poland, is accepted by most private clinics, and meets official requirements.
Without insurance, medical care is fully paid
A doctor's consultation costs between PLN 150 and PLN 400, depending on the specialist.
Tests cost another PLN 50-200.
Ambulance services cost several hundred zlotys, and in the event of hospitalization, the bill can reach several thousand.
Therefore, if you are in Poland for more than one day and do not plan to stay at home with a first aid kit, it is better to take care of insurance coverage right away.
💡 Need help choosing a policy?
Our consultants will help you choose insurance according to the purpose of your stay — tourism, work, study, permanent residence.
We also provide legal support if you are denied access to a doctor, are asked to pay without justification, or do not know who to contact about your case.
After the start of the full-scale war, Poland provided Ukrainians with access to medical services on a par with its citizens — but this access depends on status.
If you have a PESEL with the UKR mark (temporary protection status), you are entitled to most public medical services — free of charge, within the NFZ system.
What is covered for free:
- Appointment with a family doctor (lekarz rodzinny) — the first point of contact for any complaints: fever, cough, pain, skin problems, etc.
- Referral to specialists, if medically indicated. You can go directly to a gynecologist, psychiatrist, dentist, or dermatologist — without a referral.
- Diagnostics — tests, X-rays, ultrasound, ECG, if referred by a doctor.
- Hospital treatment, if necessary due to your health condition (acute or chronic).
- Vaccinations, including COVID-19, flu, and childhood vaccinations.
- Childbirth assistance, pregnancy monitoring, gynecological examinations.
- Rehabilitation programs (if prescribed by an NFZ doctor).
- Medical care for children under 18 is completely free.
All of this is available only within the public health care system (NFZ) and only if you go to a facility that cooperates with the fund.
What is not covered for free:
- private clinics and consultations without a referral — at your own expense;
- services without confirmation of status (PESEL UKR);
- treatment in clinics that do not have a contract with the NFZ;
- dental services (outside the basic package);
- cosmetic procedures, elective surgeries without medical indications;
- medicines (partially covered, but not all);
- psychotherapy — only short consultations (and only in public institutions).
What documents you need to have with you:
- PESEL with the UKR mark — the main confirmation of your right to free medical services;
- identity document (foreign or Ukrainian passport);
- patient card/registration at a specific clinic (if you have already chosen a doctor).
Important:
1. If you are visiting for the first time, you must choose a primary care physician (family doctor) and sign a declaration with them (this is free of charge).
2. If you do not have a PESEL number but need urgent medical care, they are obliged to provide it, but the cost may be charged later.
3. If you are refused service, ask for a written explanation.
Don't have a PESEL or is your status inactive?
In this case, you will need medical insurance. This will allow you to see doctors without any obstacles, both in private clinics and (in case of emergency) in public services.
There are no problems with pharmacies in Poland — they are literally everywhere, in every city and even village. However, the approach to dispensing medicines here is much stricter than in Ukraine. Many drugs that are freely available in Ukraine can only be obtained with a doctor's prescription in Poland.
Where to find a pharmacy
The largest pharmacy chains in Poland:
- DOZ (Dbam o Zdrowie) – https://www.doz.pl
- Gemini – https://www.aptekagemini.pl
- Super-Pharm – https://www.superpharm.pl
On these websites, you can:
- check the availability of medicines;
- compare prices;
- order online with pickup or delivery;
- find out if a prescription is required.
In large cities, it is easy to find 24-hour pharmacies (apteka całodobowa) — a list of them is often available on the municipality's website or on Google Maps.
What medicines are sold without a prescription?
In Poland, you can buy the following without a prescription:
- antipyretics (such as Paracetamol, Ibuprofen),
- painkillers (but not all!),
- medicines for colds, allergies, digestive disorders,
- vitamins, dietary supplements, herbal teas.
However, antibiotics, hormonal drugs, antidepressants, sleeping pills, and strong painkillers (e.g., those containing codeine) are only available with a prescription.
Medicines familiar to Ukrainians, such as Citramon, No-shpa, or Corvalol, may not be available or may have different names — you can ask the pharmacist for analogues or find them by their active ingredient.
How to get a prescription?
If you use public healthcare (NFZ), your doctor will write you a prescription during your appointment. All prescriptions in Poland are electronic, and you need your PESEL number to use them.
After your visit to the doctor, you will receive a prescription code (4 digits) + your PESEL on your phone. You only need to show these two pieces of information at the pharmacy.
In private clinics (e.g., Lux Med, Medicover), the system is the same — prescriptions are electronic. But sometimes a doctor can write them without a personal visit, through telemedicine.
How to find a Polish equivalent of Ukrainian medicines?
In Poland, you can search for medicines:
- by active ingredient — the names often differ between brands, but the composition is the same;
- with the help of a pharmacist — most pharmacies will help you find a replacement;
Does insurance cover the cost of medicines?
In the public system (NFZ), some medicines are free or partially reimbursed, but only:
- if they are on the approved list;
- and if the prescription was written by an NFZ doctor.
In private medicine, the cost of medicines is not reimbursed, even if you have insurance — it is a separate expense.
Please note:
- Not all pharmacies have a Ukrainian or English interface. The most convenient option is to use DOZ, which has a search function for active ingredients.
- If you have a chronic illness and need regular medication, it is better to get an electronic prescription for several months in advance.
In Poland, you can call an ambulance directly by dialing 112 — this is the only emergency number in the country.
The operator speaks Polish, but can switch to English if necessary. In large cities, they often respond to requests in Ukrainian, but there is no guarantee of this — it is better to be prepared to explain the situation in simple language or ask someone to help.
How does the emergency care system work?
Ambulances (Pogotowie Ratunkowe) are dispatched:
- in cases of injury, loss of consciousness, seizures, heart attack, stroke, difficulty breathing, etc.;
- when the patient cannot get to a medical facility on their own and the situation threatens their life or health.
1. The ambulance does not respond to mild symptoms (e.g., a temperature of 37, a sore throat or stomach ache), even if you do not have a family doctor.
2. If the ambulance crew considers that the condition is not critical, you may not be hospitalized and may be advised to see a general practitioner.
How much does it cost?
For Ukrainians with temporary protection status (PESEL UKR), emergency medical care is free, even if hospitalization lasts several days.
If you do not have this status, are not registered with the NFZ, and do not have insurance, ambulance services and further treatment may be subject to a fee.
Average cost:
- ambulance call-out — from PLN 500 to PLN 1,000,
- one day of hospitalization — from PLN 1,000 to PLN 3,000.
How does hospitalization work?
- Upon arrival of the ambulance, the doctor decides whether the patient needs to be hospitalized.
- If so, you will be taken to the nearest hospital with available beds.
- The hospital will provide assistance regardless of your status or whether you have documents, if your life is in danger.
Once your condition has stabilized, if you do not have a PESEL number and have not presented an insurance policy, the hospital may issue a bill.
What documents should you have with you:
- passport or identity document;
- PESEL number (if available);
- insurance policy (in paper or electronic form);
- medical card (if you have received treatment before).
What should you do if you are billed for an ambulance?
- First, check whether you are automatically registered with the NFZ (this happens in cases where you already had a PESEL UKR but did not know about it).
- Second, if the situation falls under the category of emergency, you can appeal the payment.
- Third, if the bill was issued in error or you do not understand what exactly you are being charged for, consult a lawyer.
Poland has one of the best-organized healthcare systems among Central European countries. But in order to take full advantage of it, you should know in advance what to prepare before your trip, how to act on the spot, and what services you may need on the road.
What documents to prepare:
Before leaving, be sure to prepare:
- Medical insurance valid in Poland — even if you are only visiting for a few days. Without it, any medical assistance may be subject to a fee.
- Copies of medical records if you have chronic illnesses or are undergoing treatment.
- A list of medications that you take regularly — preferably with the name of the active ingredient, so that it is easier to find an equivalent in a Polish pharmacy.
- Your passport and a copy (in case of loss).
- If you plan to stay for a long time — an application for a PESEL with the mark “UKR” (can be submitted immediately upon arrival).
Apps and services worth having:
A state platform where all electronic prescriptions, referrals, and test results are stored.
The most convenient service for finding doctors by specialty, language, and city. Allows you to make an appointment online.
- DOZ.pl or Gemini
Pharmacy chain apps: check the availability of medicines, order online, or find the nearest 24-hour pharmacy.
Things to do before arrival:
1. Medical insurance that covers not only emergency care but also planned treatment — consultations, tests, and examinations.
2. If you plan to stay in Poland for a long time, prepare your registration documents and PESEL. If you are unsure about the details, our lawyers can help.
Useful phone numbers:
112 — single emergency number (ambulance, police, fire department).
NFZ hotline: 800 190 590 (24/7, free of charge).
Final tips:
1. Always keep your insurance policy on your phone and in your email so that you can access it if necessary.
2. After arrival, register at the nearest clinic, even if you do not plan to get sick.
3. If you have a chronic illness or are taking complex medications, make an appointment with a doctor before you leave.
4. And don't put it off — getting your PESEL number, choosing a doctor, checking out clinics — it's best to do all this in the first few weeks.