How to see a doctor in Poland: choosing a POZ clinic and NFZ care
Short answer: Insured people choose a POZ doctor by signing a declaration at a clinic, online or through the Internet Patient Account, and can change doctor twice a year for free.
In Poland, almost every medical journey starts with a primary care doctor called a POZ doctor (podstawowa opieka zdrowotna). Once you have health insurance, you choose a clinic, sign a short declaration, and then book appointments there. This guide explains how that works for newcomers, using the official information from the National Health Fund (NFZ) and the patient portal pacjent.gov.pl.
What a POZ doctor does
The Lublin branch of NFZ describes primary care as the most widely available part of the health system and the place you go first when you are ill, for check-ups and for vaccinations. A POZ doctor treats illnesses and gives advice, prescribes treatment and monitors it, issues prescriptions and sick notes, and refers you for lab tests and imaging such as ECG, X-ray and ultrasound. The doctor also refers you to specialists or to a hospital when needed, and issues the oncology diagnostics and treatment card (the "green card"). Care is usually given in the clinic, and, if your condition requires it, at your home.
Each POZ doctor is advised to have no more than 2,500 people on their list.
You need insurance first
Public primary care is free for insured people. If you are employed, you are normally insured through your employer. If not, you may be eligible for voluntary insurance, which we describe in our guide to [NFZ voluntary health insurance](/a/health-insurance-in-poland-for-foreigners-nfz-voluntary-cover). People insured in another EU country who live in Poland register with a certificate issued by the regional NFZ branch, which requires registering a form such as E106, E109, E121 or the S1 document, according to the Lublin branch.
How to choose your doctor: the declaration
You choose three providers by a declaration of choice: a POZ doctor, a POZ nurse and, for women, a POZ midwife. NFZ says you can do it in three ways:
- hand in a written declaration at the clinic of your choice,
- send an electronic declaration signed with a qualified electronic signature, a Trusted Profile or a personal signature,
- fill it in via the Internet Patient Account (IKP), under "Your primary healthcare (POZ)", choose the clinic, doctor and nurse, and confirm.
You can choose any clinic. You are not tied to the one nearest your home.
Changing your doctor
You change by filling in a declaration at the new doctor, and you do not have to tell the previous clinic. NFZ says you can change your doctor, nurse and midwife twice per calendar year free of charge and without giving a reason. Each additional change costs 80 zł. Extra changes are free if you moved, if your doctor stopped working at the clinic, if the clinic closed, or for other reasons on the side of the doctor or clinic.
Booking an appointment
You have the right to book during the opening hours of your clinic, and the clinic must offer registration in every form: in person, by phone, through a third person and electronically. POZ clinics work on weekdays from 8:00 to 18:00. Visits can be in the clinic, by phone (teleporada) or at the patient's home. If your condition requires it, a home visit by a doctor is available.
Nights, weekends and holidays
POZ clinics are not open around the clock. According to pacjent.gov.pl, at night and on days off work their role is taken over by night and holiday healthcare points. Help is available from 18:00 to 8:00 the next day, and all day on statutory days off. You can go to any point, because there is no residence-based assignment.
Use it if you or your child feel unwell and fear that your condition will worsen before the next day, but your life is not in danger. If you feel bad but your condition is stable, wait until the next day and contact your POZ doctor. The point nearest you is listed on the NFZ website after you pick your voivodeship. The patient information line is 800 190 590.
Falling ill while travelling
If you are away from home, for example on holiday or on a business trip, you can use a POZ doctor where you are staying if you suddenly became ill or your condition suddenly changed.
Before your first visit
The NFZ pages describe the declaration but do not list the documents a clinic will ask for. Ask the clinic when you register, and keep proof of your insurance with you. If you have no insurance yet, sort that out first, because it decides whether public care is free.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to choose a clinic near my home?
No. NFZ explains that you choose the clinic, doctor and nurse yourself, and you can change them.
How much does it cost to change my POZ doctor?
Two changes per calendar year are free. After that, 80 zł per change, unless you moved or the clinic or doctor stopped working.
Where do I go at night or on a holiday?
To a night and holiday healthcare point, open 18:00 to 8:00 and around the clock on days off work (pacjent.gov.pl).
Can I register by phone?
Yes. The clinic must accept bookings in person, by phone, through a third person and electronically.
Can I use an English-speaking private doctor instead?
Yes, but private visits are paid by you. This guide covers public NFZ care.
