How to make a doctor's appointment in Poland: medical care for Ukrainians

Free Healthcare in Poland for Ukrainians

Since February 2022, due to the military conflict in Ukraine, Poland has granted Ukrainians who arrived after February 24, 2022, the right to free medical care on equal terms with Polish citizens. This right applies to all types of medical services, including primary and specialized care, hospitalization, and vaccination. Ukrainian citizens can receive assistance in public and private medical facilities operating under a contract with the National Health Fund of Poland (NFZ).

How to Choose and Register with a Family Doctor (POZ) in Poland

Primary healthcare in Poland is called POZ (Podstawowa Opieka Zdrowotna). This is the first and most crucial stage of interacting with the Polish healthcare system. It is the family doctor (lekarz POZ / lekarz rodzinny) or pediatrician who conducts the primary examination, prescribes basic tests, issues prescriptions for medications, and provides referrals to specialists.

1. Where to Look for a Clinic (Przychodnia)

You have the right to choose any public or private clinic operating under a contract with the National Health Fund (NFZ). Proof of official registered residence (zameldowanie) is not required — choose the facility closest to your actual place of residence.

• How to know if a clinic works with the NFZ? At the entrance of the clinic or on its website, there should be an NFZ logo with the text “Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia”.

• Online search: You can find the nearest clinic via the official NFZ portal in the Gdzie się leczyć section.

2. Filling Out the Declaration (Deklaracja wyboru)

To register with a specific doctor, you must submit an application — Deklaracja wyboru lekarza POZ. You can do this in two ways:

Option A: In Person at the Reception (Rejestracja)

Visit your chosen clinic and ask for a declaration form.

Required documents to bring with you:

• Passport (foreign passport).

• PESEL number (with a UKR designation for individuals under temporary protection).

• Proof of insurance (for officially employed individuals — ZUS ZUA/ZZA document; for those who arrived after Feb 24, 2022, without a job — a border crossing stamp/certificate or confirmation of UKR status).

Option B: Online via Internetowe Konto Pacjenta (IKP)

If you have a trusted profile (Profil Zaufany) and access to your personal account on the pacjent.gov.pl website:

1. Log in to the pacjent.gov.pl portal or the mojIKP app.

2. Go to the “Moje konto” section  “Twoja Podstawowa Opieka Zdrowotna (POZ)”.

3. Click “Wypełnij deklarację”, select your region, clinic, doctor, nurse (pielęgniarka), and midwife (położna — for women) from the list.

4. Confirm and sign the application using Profil Zaufany.

3. Important Nuances and Rules for Changing Doctors in Poland

• How much does choosing a doctor cost? Choosing a family doctor, nurse, and midwife is completely free of charge.

• How often can you change your doctor? You can change your family doctor or clinic for free twice per calendar year. Starting from the third change, an administrative fee of 80 PLN is charged (exceptions apply for changes of residence or clinic closures).

• Can you get an appointment immediately? Yes, on the day you submit your declaration, you already have the right to book an appointment.

Tip: In large cities (Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław), clinics frequently employ Ukrainian- and Russian-speaking doctors or admin staff. When submitting your declaration, you can check at reception whether there is a specialist on staff who speaks a language comfortable for you.

How to Get a Referral and a Prescription in Poland

The Polish healthcare system has fully transitioned to a digital format. Paper notes or handwritten prescriptions are no longer issued — all referrals (e-skierowanie) and prescriptions (e-recepta) are linked to your PESEL number and displayed in a central electronic database.

1. Electronic Referrals (e-Skierowanie)

In the public NFZ system, you cannot simply book an appointment with a specialist (e.g., a neurologist, ophthalmologist, or endocrinologist) on your own — you must first get a referral from your family doctor (POZ).

Which doctors do NOT require a referral?

You can book an appointment directly without an electronic referral with the following specialists:

• Gynecologist and Obstetrician

• Psychiatrist

• Oncologist

• Venereologist

• Dentist

How long is a referral valid in Poland?

Referrals in the public system have an "expiration date." For example, a referral for planned hospitalization or to a specialist must be registered at your chosen clinic within 30 days from the issue date; otherwise, it will be canceled.

2. Electronic Prescriptions (e-Recepta) and Purchasing Medications at the Pharmacy

In Poland, virtually all serious prescription medications (including antibiotics, hormonal drugs, and blood pressure medications) are sold strictly by prescription.

How is an e-Recepta Issued and What Does It Look Like?

After your consultation, the doctor sends an electronic prescription to the system. You will receive it in one of the following formats:

• SMS with a 4-digit code sent to your Polish phone number.

• PDF file via email or a printout with a QR code provided by the doctor.

• Notification in the mojIKP app.

How to Buy Medication at a Pharmacy (Apteka)?

When visiting any pharmacy, you need to provide the pharmacist with:

• Your PESEL number (11 digits).

• The 4-digit prescription code from the SMS or app.

(Alternatively, you can simply let the pharmacist scan the QR code from your phone screen or printout).

Prescription Validity Period

• Standard prescription: valid for 30 days.

• Antibiotics: must be purchased within 7 days.

• Prescriptions for chronic conditions: can be issued for up to 365 days, but the first package of the medication must be purchased within the first 30 days.

Medication Discounts (Leki refundowane): If you have NFZ insurance or temporary protection status (PESEL UKR), many prescription medications are sold at a discount (30%, 50%) or provided free of charge (for example, under programs for children under 18 and adults over 65). The reimbursement level is determined by the doctor when issuing the prescription.

Public (NFZ) and Private Healthcare in Poland: Comparison and Costs

Poland's healthcare system is divided into two sectors: public (NFZ) and commercial (private). Ukrainians under temporary protection (PESEL UKR) or with official employment have full rights to free medical care under the NFZ. However, due to long wait times for appointments, many often choose private clinics or purchase medical subscriptions.

Comparison Table: NFZ vs Private Medical Centers

How Much Do Private Medical Services Cost in Poland?

If you don't have time to wait in line under the NFZ or need an urgent consultation with a specialist, you can contact a private medical center or use the ZnanyLekarz.pl platform.

1. Doctor Consultations (One-Time Visit)

• Family Doctor / General Practitioner / Pediatrician: 150 – 250 PLN

• Medical Specialists (cardiologist, neurologist, dermatologist, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist): 200 – 400 PLN

• Initial Gynecologist Consultation + Ultrasound: 250 – 450 PLN

• Dental Care: consultation and check-up — 100–150 PLN; filling — 200–450 PLN; professional cleaning — 250–400 PLN.

2. Diagnostics and Laboratory Tests

• Complete Blood Count (CBC) / Urinalysis: 20 – 40 PLN

• Blood Chemistry Panel (liver function tests, glucose, etc.): 50 – 120 PLN

• Abdominal / Internal Organs Ultrasound: 180 – 300 PLN

• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): 400 – 800 PLN (depending on the area examined and use of contrast)

• CT Scan (Computed Tomography): 300 – 600 PLN

Private Medical Subscriptions (Pakiety medyczne)

For those residing in Poland permanently, medical packages (subscriptions) are a cost-effective alternative to paying for single visits. Private insurance companies and clinic networks (Luxmed, Medicover, Enel-Med, PZU) offer family and individual plans.

• Basic Subscription (general practitioner, pediatrician + basic lab tests): from 100 to 200 PLN per month.

• Comprehensive Family Subscription (access to 30+ specialists without referrals, diagnostics, ultrasound, lab tests, and emergency care): from 300 to 700 PLN per month.

Useful resources

You can use the following platforms to search for doctors and make appointments:

• ZnanyLekarz.pl. Helps you find doctors of various specialties and book appointments online.
• Dentysciukrainie.pl. Specializes in providing information about dentists who provide care to Ukrainian patients.

Hotlines and consultations in Ukrainian:

• 800 190 590. NFZ toll-free helpline for information about health services and to make an appointment.

Information portals:

• gov.pl. The official portal of the Polish government with a section for Ukrainian citizens.
• pacjent.gov.pl. A platform to make appointments with doctors and get medical information.

These resources will help you easily navigate Poland's health care system and get the care you need.

Read also: Health care system in Poland

Additional help and services

cSpecial medical points have been organized in refugee reception centres in Poland, where Ukrainians can receive primary medical care, consultations and referrals to specialists. These points provide the necessary support for those who have just arrived and need urgent care.

In emergency cases, Ukrainians can go to the emergency departments (SOR) in Polish hospitals. Emergency care is available 24 hours a day, and patients receive treatment regardless of insurance policy. If hospitalization is necessary, patients are referred to specialized medical institutions for further treatment.

Popular bus routes to Poland

• Kiev - Warsaw
• Kyiv - Lublin
• Zhytomyr - Warsaw
• Zhytomyr - Lublin
• Rivne - Warsaw
• Rivne - Lublin
• Lutsk - Warsaw
• Lutsk - Lublin