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### title
Healthcare in Poland

### summary
[🆘](112|Emergency)
[💊](e‑recepta|Prescriptions)

### description
Poland has a public healthcare system funded by the National Health Fund (NFZ). If you are insured (through work, study, or voluntary insurance), you can use public clinics and hospitals. Private care is also common to avoid queues.

> In life‑threatening situations, call 112 (free). Emergency help is given even without insurance.

> Most prescriptions are electronic (e‑recepta). You receive an SMS code and show your ID in the pharmacy.

### Proof of entitlement (eWUŚ)
Clinics verify eligibility in the eWUŚ system using your PESEL. If you are not found, you can present other proof (e.g., ZUS confirmation, employer certificate, NFZ contract, or a patient’s declaration) and still receive care.


**How it works (steps):**
1. **Register with a family doctor (POZ/GP).** Choose a clinic and submit a declaration for your primary care physician.
2. **Get a referral if needed.** Many specialists require a referral from your GP (exceptions: gynecologist, psychiatrist, oncologist, dentist in limited scope).
3. **Use e‑prescription (e‑recepta).** Your doctor issues a code. Give the code + PESEL/passport at the pharmacy.
4. **Use e‑referral (e‑skierowanie).** Book visits or tests with the e‑referral code.
5. **In emergencies, call 112 or go to SOR (ER).** Emergency is free for everyone.
6. **After‑hours care (NiŚOZ/TPK).** For urgent but non‑life‑threatening issues between 18:00–08:00 and on weekends/holidays, go to a Night and Holiday Care clinic (Nocna i Świąteczna Opieka Zdrowotna) or call the First Contact Teleplatform (TPK) at 800 137 200.

### No‑referral specialists
You can see certain specialists without a GP referral: gynecologist/obstetrician, psychiatrist, oncologist, venereologist/dermatovenerologist, and dentist (limited scope). For most others, get a GP referral first.

### GP choice rules
You can change your GP (and POZ nurse/midwife) up to 2 times per calendar year for free; further changes may involve a fee. Choose a clinic close to home or work for easier access.

### Waiting times and booking
Use the NFZ waiting‑time search to find providers with the earliest dates for visits, diagnostics, or planned procedures. Book using your e‑referral code when available.

### Medicines and pharmacies
Pharmacies dispense e‑prescriptions using your code + PESEL/passport. Some medicines are reimbursed (co‑payment) or free for eligible groups as defined by current policy. The e‑prescription shows the price and reimbursement status.

### Terms and costs
- Public services are financed by NFZ for insured people
- Medicines may require co‑payments; some are fully reimbursed
- Private visits are paid out‑of‑pocket or via private insurance
### common mistakes
**Skipping GP referral**
Ask your GP for a referral to a specialist
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**No proof of insurance**
Keep NFZ/ZUS status or policy confirmation
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**Not using e‑referrals**
Use codes to book faster and track status

### addresses
[Public clinics and hospitals](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Przychodnia%20NFZ%2C%20Poland)

### links
[Patient services portal](https://pacjent.gov.pl/)
[NFZ information](https://www.nfz.gov.pl/)
[Emergency number info (112)](https://www.gov.pl/web/112)
[NFZ waiting times](https://terminyleczenia.nfz.gov.pl/)
[After‑hours care (NiŚOZ) info](https://pacjent.gov.pl/aktualnosc/nocna-i-swiateczna-opieka-zdrowotna)
[TPK – First Contact Teleplatform](https://pacjent.gov.pl/aktualnosc/teleplatforma-pierwszego-kontaktu)
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