Temporary and occasional exercise of the medical profession in Poland
A physician or dentist form another EU Member State who intends to practice professionally in Poland on temporary and occasional basis should submit a written declaration in advance to the Supreme Medical Chamber (Naczelna Izba Lekarska, ul. Sobieskiego 110, 00-764 Warszawa). The declaration should be made before first moving to Poland and has to be renewed once every calendar year, if the physician or dentist intends to practice on temporary basis during that year (or in case of material change of situation). The declaration should – if possible at the time when it is submitted – indicate the place and period of professional activity in Poland.
The declaration has to be accompanied by:
- proof of nationality,
- an attestation (not older than 3 months) certifying that the physician or dentist is licensed to practice professionally in another EU/EEA Member State and that he/she is not prohibited from practicing at the moment of submission of the attestation,
- evidence of professional qualifications (medical diploma, specialist diploma).
The declaration and the certificate confirming license to practice in another EU/EEA Member State should be submitted in original. Proof of nationality and evidence of professional qualifications should be submitted as copies certified by a public notary or the original documents may be brought directly to the Supreme Medical Chamber’s office, in order to produce copies.
Once the declaration is submitted, the physician or dentist is automatically registered with the Supreme Medical Chamber as a physician/dentist temporarily and occasionally exercising the profession in Poland. There is no need to obtain Polish medical license and Polish language examination is not required. However, poor language knowledge does not exempt from potential civil or professional liability. Physicians and dentists practicing on temporary and occasional basis are subject to disciplinary provisions applicable in Poland. The scope of practice has to be of temporary and occasional nature. The Supreme Medical Chamber may in each individual case assess whether exercise of profession in Poland is in fact of temporary and occasional nature – in particular in relation to its duration, frequency, regularity and continuity.
Confirmation by the Supreme Medical Chamber that the physician or dentist is in the register of temporary and occasional practitioners does not change the fact that such practitioners must provide health services in accordance with the general provisions of the Act on the Professions of Physician and Dentist and specific provisions of the Act on medical activities concerning the functioning of healthcare facilities.
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