Pharmacies in Poland

When you arrive in Poland, you will soon need to locate a pharmacy — called an apteka (plural: apteki) — for prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, or health advice. Understanding how Polish pharmacies work, what you can and cannot buy freely, and how to fill prescriptions will save you time, money, and frustration during your first months and beyond.

Prescription vs Over-the-Counter: What You Need to Know

Poland has a strict division between prescription and non-prescription medicines. Roughly 80-90% of drugs sold in Polish pharmacies require a doctor's prescription, so it is important to learn which medicines fall into each category before you need them.

Prescription Medicines (Recepta)

Any medicine intended to treat a specific diagnosis — from antibiotics to hormonal medications — requires a valid prescription. Antibiotics are particularly strictly controlled and cannot be purchased without a doctor's authorisation. In Poland, prescriptions are now almost exclusively issued in electronic format (e-recepta), delivered via SMS or email with a 4-digit code or as an electronic file.

A standard prescription is valid for 30 days from the date of issue, though some medicines have different validity periods. For example, antibiotic prescriptions are valid for only 7 days. To fill an e-prescription at a pharmacy, you will need to provide your PESEL number (the Polish national identification number) along with your prescription code. If you receive a paper prescription in rare cases, you can ask a doctor for one, but electronic prescriptions are now the norm.

If you are covered by NFZ (Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia, the National Health Fund) through employment or voluntary insurance, prescription medicines will be reimbursed at a set rate. You will pay only a fraction of the total cost. If you are not insured through NFZ or are using a prescription from another EU country, you will pay the full retail price at the pharmacy.

Over-the-Counter Medicines (OTC)

Poland has one of the most liberal over-the-counter medicine policies in the European Union. Common OTC medicines include painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, cold and flu remedies, antihistamines for allergies, vitamins, digestive aids, and wound-care products. Unlike prescription medicines, you can buy these without a doctor's visit.

One important difference from some countries: while pharmacies are the main place to buy OTC medicines, Polish law also allows them to be sold in supermarkets, gas stations, and online. However, not all OTC products are available everywhere. Higher-strength painkillers and certain other OTC medicines can only be purchased in a licensed pharmacy. If you are unsure whether a product is available without a prescription or where to buy it, ask a pharmacist directly.

How to Ask for Medication Safely and Communicate in Pharmacies

Walking into a Polish pharmacy for the first time can feel daunting if you do not speak the language. Here are practical steps to help you get what you need.

Getting a Prescription

If you need prescription medicine, you must first see a doctor. If you are employed or insured through NFZ, register with a family doctor (lekarz rodzinny) at your nearest NFZ clinic by showing your passport or ID and proof of health insurance. Once registered, you can book an appointment. Not all doctors speak English, so consider bringing a Polish speaker or translator for your first visit if possible.

At the Pharmacy Counter

When you walk into an apteka, you will see a counter with a pharmacist. If you are collecting a prescription, have your PESEL number ready along with your prescription code (from SMS or email). If you are asking for an OTC medicine, describe your symptoms or the type of product you need. Pharmacists in Polish cities increasingly speak English, particularly in larger establishments or city centers, but it is not guaranteed. Do not hesitate to use your phone translator or write down what you need.

When you collect a prescription medicine, the pharmacist should inform you of the price and provide instructions on how to take it. Always ask if you do not understand, and check the printed leaflet (ulotka) inside the package for side effects and drug interactions. If you are taking multiple medicines, mention this to the pharmacist so they can alert you to any potential problems.

Bringing Medications Into Poland

If you are relocating to Poland and need to bring your regular medications, pack them in their original containers with your name on the label. You are permitted to carry no more than 5 of the smallest packages of a single standard medication for personal use. This applies to most everyday medicines. However, if your medication contains controlled substances (such as opioids, certain benzodiazepines, or stimulants for ADHD), you will need to obtain a Schengen certificate from the authority in your home country before you travel. Keep any prescriptions or medical documentation with your medicines in case customs officials ask.

Finding a 24-Hour Pharmacy

Standard pharmacy hours in Poland are 8am to 6pm on weekdays, with shorter hours on Saturdays and closures on Sundays. However, finding an open pharmacy outside these hours is possible in larger cities.

Locating 24-Hour Pharmacies

In major cities such as Warsaw, Kraków, Gdańsk, and Wrocław, you will find at least one or two 24-hour pharmacies (apteka całodobowa). These are strategically located near hospitals, central areas, and transport hubs to ensure access during nights and public holidays. To find one, use Google Maps and search for 'apteka całodobowa' or '24h pharmacy' plus your city name. The map will show you open pharmacies and their current status.

Two dedicated tools make finding open pharmacies even easier. The mojApteczka app has a live pharmacy locator that shows all pharmacies open right now within a chosen radius (2-25 km) and works offline after the first sync. The website Apteki24h.com aggregates data from Poland's official Ministry of Health register and displays over 13,800 active pharmacies nationwide with current opening hours and a map.

Sunday and Holiday Hours

Most pharmacies in Poland are closed on Sundays. If you live in a smaller town and it is a Sunday with no 24-hour pharmacy, you may need to wait until Monday or travel to a nearby larger city. This is why planning ahead is crucial: fill prescriptions a day or two before you think you will need them, and keep a small supply of essential OTC medicines at home.

Costs and Insurance Reimbursement

Prescription costs in Poland vary widely. If you are covered by NFZ, you will receive a subsidy based on the specific medicine and your status (for example, children, seniors, and people with chronic conditions often receive higher subsidies). The co-payment system includes fixed co-payments (ryczałt) for some medicines and 50% co-payments for others, so your out-of-pocket cost for a standard prescription is typically between 5 and 30 PLN. OTC medicines are not reimbursed.

If you do not have NFZ coverage, you will pay the full retail price. Prices are competitive across pharmacies, so you can ask the pharmacist or compare prices online before purchasing expensive medicines. Generics are often substantially cheaper than branded versions and are therapeutically equivalent for most conditions.

Cross-border prescriptions issued in another EU country are always filled at full cost in Poland, with no reimbursement. You may be able to claim reimbursement from your home country's insurer after you return. For this reason, once you are settled in Poland and have registered with a doctor, obtain all new prescriptions from Polish doctors to benefit from NFZ reimbursement.

Key Terms to Remember

• Apteka — pharmacy; look for this word on store signs
• Recepta — prescription (usually electronic, e-recepta)
• PESEL — your Polish national identification number, required to fill e-prescriptions
• NFZ — Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia (National Health Fund); provides reimbursement for prescriptions if you are insured
• ZUS — Zakład Ubezpieczeń Społecznych (Social Insurance Institution); manages employment-based insurance that links to NFZ coverage
• OTC — over-the-counter medicines, available without a prescription
• Ulotka — the leaflet inside a medicine package with dosage, side effects, and warnings

Understanding Polish pharmacies will become second nature once you have visited a few times. Pharmacists are generally helpful and patient with foreigners, and many speak enough English to assist you. If you ever feel unsure about medication instructions or interactions, always ask the pharmacist — that is exactly what they are there for.