Poland has public (free) and private health care facilities.
The National Health Fund (NFZ) manages the public health care system. Each province has its own branch of the fund.
To receive free treatment in Poland, you must have health insurance. Persons working in Poland on the basis of an employment contract, a contract of mandate or running a business are obliged to pay a health contribution (the employer deducts it for employees and entrepreneurs pay it themselves). Members of the employee’s immediate family (e.g. children) may be included in the insurance free of charge. It is also possible to pay premiums voluntarily (e.g. in the case of an employment contract) in order to benefit from state health services. The National Health Fund finances health services and reimburses medicines from the premiums paid.
Institutions providing services financed by the NFZ may use the NFZ logo. Link to files with the NFZ logo.
Free treatment is also available to those insured in another EU/EEA country or in a country with which Poland has an agreement.
Insured persons must present a document entitling them to free treatment or their PESEL number at each visit (this is used to verify insurance in the electronic system).
Persons who are not insured in Poland, in an EU or EFTA country or in a country with which Poland has signed a relevant agreement may use public health services for a fee. In this case, the doctor will issue an invoice for the services provided, which you must pay. The cost of treatment may be settled with an insurance company if you have the necessary insurance, e.g. for legalisation of stay in Poland.
Information current as of: .
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