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