Flu Vaccine in Poland 2026/27: Who Gets It Free, Who Pays 26.65 zł
Short answer: For the 2026/27 season, flu vaccines are free in Poland for under-18s, people 65+ and pregnant women; insured adults 18-64 pay 26.65 zł. A prescription is required, and pharmacies can handle the whole visit. Insurance, not citizenship, decides eligibility.
Flu season in Poland runs from October to May, with infections usually peaking between January and March. The 2026/2027 vaccination campaign is already under way, and this season the price rules are unusually simple: most children, seniors and pregnant women pay nothing, and almost every other insured adult pays a fixed 26.65 zł. Here is how it works if you are a foreigner living in Poland, as of 14 October 2026.
What is available this season
According to the national vaccination portal run by the National Institute of Public Health (NIZP-PZH), only inactivated flu vaccines given by injection are available in the 2026/2027 season. One rule catches many newcomers by surprise: you always need a prescription first. A doctor, nurse, midwife or pharmacist can issue it, which in practice means a pharmacy can often handle the whole visit in one stop.
Vaccinations are given at medical facilities for both children and adults, and at selected pharmacies for adults. The list of vaccinating pharmacies is published on the government patient portal pacjent.gov.pl. The pre-vaccination qualification and the jab itself are free of charge in primary care (POZ) clinics and in vaccinating pharmacies, and every flu shot is recorded in your electronic vaccination card, visible in the Internet Patient Account (IKP).
Who gets the vaccine free in 2026/2027
Under the Health Ministry's reimbursement list in force since 17 June 2026, the two standard flu vaccines this season, Influvac and Vaxigrip, are fully free for three groups:
- children and teenagers from 6 months to 18 years
- adults aged 65 and over
- pregnant and postpartum women
For all other adults aged 18 to 64, the same two vaccines carry a 50% reimbursement, which fixes the price at 26.65 zł. A third vaccine, Efluelda, intended for people 60 and over, is also 50% reimbursed and costs 81.72 zł. Some city and regional governments additionally run their own free flu programmes for seniors or children, so it is worth checking your city hall's health pages if you fall into those groups.
The part that matters for foreigners
Reimbursed and free vaccines are tied to health insurance, not citizenship. The PZH portal states that eligibility for a reimbursed flu vaccine follows from your health insurance status. If you are insured with the National Health Fund (NFZ), through employment, a registered business, a family member's insurance, or voluntary enrolment, you qualify on exactly the same terms as a Polish citizen. Uninsured patients can still get vaccinated, but pay the full private price for both the vaccine and the visit.
For the 18-64 group, the maths is friendly: prescription, qualification and administration are free, so the 26.65 zł pharmacy price is the total cost of a flu shot this season.
When to go
Polish health authorities recommend getting vaccinated before the infection curve rises, and note that vaccination remains useful throughout the autumn-winter season. October and November are the classic window: early enough for protection to build before the January-March peak, late enough that the vaccine is matched to the circulating strains. If you are reading this in December or later, the official advice is still to vaccinate rather than skip the season.
How the visit works in practice
For an adult, the simplest route is a vaccinating pharmacy: the pharmacist issues the prescription, checks there are no contraindications, administers the vaccine and records it in your electronic card, all in one visit. Children must be qualified by a doctor, so for under-18s the route is a paediatrician or family doctor at your POZ clinic. Bring your PESEL number or insurance confirmation; the pharmacy or clinic verifies your entitlement electronically.
Frequently asked questions
### Do foreigners get the free flu vaccine in Poland?
Yes, if you are covered by Polish health insurance. Free and reimbursed vaccines follow your NFZ insurance status, not citizenship, so an insured foreign resident aged 65+, a pregnant woman, or a child under 18 qualifies for the free vaccine, and insured adults 18-64 pay the fixed 26.65 zł.
How much does a flu jab cost in Poland in 2026?
For insured adults aged 18-64 the 50%-reimbursed Influvac or Vaxigrip costs 26.65 zł, and the qualification and injection are free in clinics and vaccinating pharmacies. Children, people 65+ and pregnant women pay nothing. Efluelda for the 60+ group costs 81.72 zł.
Can I get the flu shot at a pharmacy?
Yes, adults can. Selected pharmacies offer flu vaccination, and the pharmacist can issue the required prescription on the spot, so the whole process happens in one visit. Children must be vaccinated at a medical facility after qualification by a doctor.
When is the best time to get vaccinated?
Before the infection peak. Flu activity in Poland usually runs October to May with a January-March peak, and the official guidance is to vaccinate before cases rise - but vaccination is recommended throughout the season, so it is not too late if autumn has passed.
