Health

Medical Care

Poland has a good healthcare system. In major cities, there are modern hospitals and private clinics with international standards. With the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you are entitled to medical care under the same conditions as Polish insured persons.

Still recommended: A travel health insurance with repatriation — waiting times in the public system can be long, and private treatment is faster (and cheap in Poland: doctor visit from 150 PLN / 35€).

Vaccinations

No special vaccinations required. Refresh standard immunization (tetanus, diphtheria, polio). For stays in the Masurian Lake District or Białowieża Forest: Tick-borne encephalitis vaccination (TBE) recommended — ticks in eastern Poland increasingly transmit Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis.

Pharmacies

Apteka (pharmacies) are well-stocked and frequent. Many medications are cheaper in Poland than in Germany. In every city, there are 24-hour pharmacies (Apteka dyżurna). Green cross = pharmacy.

Tap Water

In major cities (Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław, Gdańsk), the tap water is drinkable — sometimes slightly chlorinated, but safe. In rural areas and older buildings: better to drink bottled water.