Health Care in Poland

Public health care in Poland is accessible to foreigners who contribute to the social security system via deductions from their wages or salaries.

Of course, you must play by the rules and have your work permit in order before you are eligible. And unfortunately, eligibility doesn’t necessarily translate into the same kind of care that you receive in the United States or Canada. The economic transformations in Central and Eastern Europe have not been kind to health care systems. Hospitals and clinics are often under-staffed and poorly equipped. In this regard, specialized care definitely suffers more than routine treatments.

For English-speaking medical help, consult the American or British Embassy. They keep lists of doctors who can assist foreigners, and they will also have information on private medical clinics for foreigners.

Following are some medical information and assistance facilities:

Medical Facilities and Assistance

    Warsaw

    Health Info Line (Information about health services)
    Phone: (022) 26 27 61 or (022) 26 83 00

    24-hour Service and Ambulance
    ul. Hoza 56
    Warsaw
    Poland
    Phone: (02) 628-2424

    Emergency Room at Hospital Szpital Srodmiejski
    ul. Solec 93
    Warsaw
    Poland
    Phone: (02) 625-2231 or (02) 625-3327

    Marriott Hotel Medical Center
    al. Jerozolimskie 65/79
    Warsaw
    Poland
    Phone: (02) 630-5115 or (02) 621-0646

    J.J. Capricorn Ltd.
    Podwale II
    Warsaw
    Poland
    Phone: (022) 31 86 69
    Phone/fax: (022) 31 06 07

    (24-hour medical assistance)

    Centrum Medychn
    Domiana I cenmed sp.zoo
    Walbrzyska 46
    Warsaw
    Poland
    Phone: (022) 43 51 53, (02) 644-3313, or (02) 644-3314

    Krakow

    Private doctors are available at:

    Profimed
    Rynek 6
    Krakow
    Poland
    Phone: (012) 21 79 97

    Profimed
    ul. Grodzka 26
    Krakow
    Poland
    Phone: (012) 22 64 53

Pharmacies

    Warsaw

    Apteka
    ul. Grojecka 76
    Warsaw
    Poland
    Phone: (022) 22 28 91

    Swiss Pharmacy
    al. Roz 2
    Warsaw
    Poland
    Phone: (02) 628-9471

    Krakow

    Pharmacy
    Rynek 13
    Krakow
    Poland
    Phone: (012) 22 41 90

Other Medical Services

    Warsaw

    24-Hour Psychological Help Line
    (Not always available in English)
    Phone: (02) 628-3636

    Women’s Hotline
    (Not always available in English)
    Phone: (02) 635-4791

    AIDS Hotline
    (Not always available in English)
    Phone: (02) 628-0336

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