Poland — Healthcare: Public Healthcare

Why this matters

Relocating individuals to Poland should care about understanding the public healthcare system as it can impact their access to medical care and overall healthcare costs.

Key facts

• Current health expenditure: 8.1 % of GDP (2024)
• Government share of current health expenditure: 77 % (2023)
• Out-of-pocket share of current health expenditure: 16 % (2024)
• Physicians: 4.0 per 1,000 people (2023)
• Hospital beds: 6.0 per 1,000 people (2022)
• Life expectancy at birth: 78.4 years (2024)

Steps

1. Registering with a primary care physician — Citizens must register with a primary care physician (family doctor) within 7 days of moving to a new area.
2. Accessing public healthcare services — Citizens can access public healthcare services by visiting their primary care physician or specialist, or by going directly to a hospital or emergency service.
3. Paying for public healthcare services — Citizens pay a fee for access to healthcare services, but the exact amount is uncertain and may vary depending on the service and region.

Costs

• Registration fee: varies depending on the region
• Consultation fee: varies depending on the service and region
• Hospital stay: varies depending on the hospital and length of stay

Timelines

• Registration with a primary care physician: within 7 days of moving to a new area
• Accessing public healthcare services: typically within a few days of making an appointment

Required documents

• Polish ID (PESEL) number
• Proof of residence
• Proof of health insurance (for foreign residents)

Common mistakes

• Not registering with a primary care physician in a timely manner
• Not understanding the fees associated with public healthcare services

What these figures do not cover

These are national statistics. Who is eligible for the public system, how a foreign resident enrols, what it costs and waiting times are not covered here.