Health

Visiting Poland is a great way to see the sights, relax or do some business. Should a medical emergency occur, here is some basic information to help you cope with such unforeseen circumstances.

Treatment

Poland's medical facilities are of an equivalent standard to those in other European countries. Private medical facilities are comparatively inexpensive and of a good standard.

Before your trip you should take the standard pre-departure steps such as preparing a record of any treatment you may be undergoing or medication you are receiving and keep this information with you. This will help you to react quickly if an emergency situation occurs.

This is also the time to review your medical health insurance policy and contact your insurance provider to make sure that you are covered for a trip to Poland and, if necessary, consider the purchase of additional cover.

Prescribed medication can be purchased in pharmacies, marked "APTEKA". Over-the-counter medications are also available in pharmacies as well as supermarkets, convenience shops and certain news kiosks.

Emergency

In case of emergency you may require to call for an ambulance, dial 999 from any land line or 112 from a mobile phone.

Medical Care for EU Nationals

You are required to show your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to receive free or reduced-cost medical treatment that may become necessary during your visit. For more information ask your GP for advice or visit the Department of Health website at: http://www.dh.gov.uk. 

Please remember that EHIC does not provide any cover for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature, therefore you should obtain separate travel insurance cover for such conditions.

Public Health Service

In non-urgent cases, go to the nearest GP or out-patient clinic. Ask your hotel reception or tourist information centre for assistance.

Public health facilities are marked with the "NFZ" sign. This means they are contracted to the National Health Fund (NFZ). If they are not, you will be charged as a private patient and will not be able to get reimbursement for any treatment abroad.

Clinics are normally open Monday to Friday till 6p.m. Outside these hours and in emergencies you should seek assistance at the nearest hospital emergency ward.

To receive hospital treatment, you should go directly to any state hospital in an emergency and obtain free treatment. A GP can also refer you to a hospital and decide if you require an ambulance. Medicines provided in a hospital are free of charge.

To call an ambulance, dial 999 from a landline or 112 from a mobile phone.

Dentists

To obtain free dental care, check that the dentist you go to is contracted to the "NFZ", otherwise you will be charged privately. Only basic emergency dental care is provided free of charge.

Prescriptions 

Depending on the type of medication required, you will be required to pay between 30% and 50% of the price, the full amount or a fixed fee. These charges are not refundable.

Popular medication sold without prescription is widely available from pharmacies, supermarkets or corner shops.

For more information on Poland's public health service, please visit this website on: www.nfz.gov.pl/ue/

Allergy Advice

If you suffer from allergies, travelling to unfamiliar locations may be another cause of discomfort. In Poland, especially in spring and summer, the pollen levels are monitored and often reported in the media alongside weather forecasts.

Advice for Allergy Sufferers

In most regions in Poland, grasses produce pollen at the beginning of June till mid-July. The highest concentration of grass pollen is normally found in suburban areas, which have large green open spaces and meadows with blossoming plants. Other possible generators of pollen are the staple crops grown everywhere in Poland such as rye, wheat, barley and corn.

The highest concentration of grass pollen is usually registered in the early hours of the morning in both cities and in the surrounding areas. Pollen counts are lower at night. Immediately after rainfall the air is usually free from pollen. However, rain showers can also be a difficulty for allergy sufferers. Moisture could bring out the allergen hidden inside pollen particles. This could enter the lungs in the form of a fine spray and cause breathlessness in people particularly sensitive to grass pollen.

According to medical reports, people especially sensitive to grass pollen may occasionally experience allergic symptoms in the second half of July and August. At the end of August and throughout September the concentration of the airborne grass pollen drops down a medium level.

There is a website providing up-to-date information on pollen count in the Malopolska region at: http://www.krakow.pios.gov.pl/

Drinking Water

Drinking water in Poland is sanitarily satisfactory according to the WTO, however, most people boil water before drinking it or simply buy bottled water.

Tap Water

Even though tap water in Poland is fully compliant with all sanitary requirements, it is, however, tastier if it is boiled before drinking as this removes a slight taste of chlorine.

Bottled Water

There is an abundant supply and a great choice of bottled water available in every supermarket in Poland. There are many varieties of bottled water ranging from pure spring water to mineral water, both local and imported. It is undisputedly a vital resource to have anywhere. Furthermore, there are several medicinal springs found in Poland from which water is taken, bottled and sold not only in pharmacies but in supermarkets alike.