In Poland, doctors were permitted to practice medicine without verified language skills, a situation set to change with a B1 Polish requirement by May 2026.
Loosened Standards, Upcoming Changes
Doctors in Poland have been practicing without adequate language verification, but new regulations require a B1 level of Polish proficiency by May 1, 2026, or risk losing their license to practice.
The Polish Medical Council warns that even B1 may be insufficient to ensure patient safety.
Lack of Verification and Responsibility
Jakub Kosikowski, spokesperson for the Supreme Medical Council, stated that for years, doctors could work without language verification, and even without confirmation they were actually doctors.
The issue centers on the B1 certificate, but ultimately concerns patient safety, hospital responsibility, and the state’s standards for medical professionals practicing in Poland.
Requirements and Deadlines
From May 1, 2026, doctors and dentists who previously obtained their practice licenses through a simplified procedure must provide documentation confirming Polish language proficiency at a minimum of B1 level.
The Ministry of Health indicates that a lack of documentation could result in the loss of their practice license. Those who submitted applications after October 24, 2024, must already have the documentation when applying for their license.
Council Concerns and Higher Standards
The Polish Medical Council believes B1 is too low, advocating for at least B2, and ideally C1 level proficiency.
Pandemic and Ukraine Crisis Led to Relaxed Rules
The simplified procedure was implemented during exceptional circumstances – first the pandemic, then the war in Ukraine and the influx of refugees – creating a need for medical personnel.
Hospitals needed doctors, and the system was designed to operate quickly and efficiently, but this speed came at a cost.
Calls for Stricter Regulations
The Medical Council has consistently called for the end of the special procedures triggered by the pandemic and refugee crisis.
Initial Procedures Phased Out, Resistance to Further Restrictions
The first simplified procedure was terminated after a long fight by the Medical Council in October 2024. Attempts to limit the second procedure, following a case involving Health Minister Izabela Leszczyna’s prescription, faced resistance from district and private hospitals.
Language Skills Now Mandatory
Kosikowski stated that the current law requires doctors to improve their Polish language skills, as previously, doctors were not required to speak Polish.
The Council has no issue with doctors who properly certified their diplomas, passed required exams, and have authentic documentation; the problem lies with those who entered the system through the special pathway.
Two Groups, Different Requirements
Regulations divide doctors into two groups: those who received approval from the Minister of Health based on applications submitted after October 24, 2024, and those who received approval based on applications submitted before that date.
The first group must submit B1 level documentation before receiving their license. The second group has until May 1, 2026, to submit documentation to the appropriate district medical council. Failure to do so will result in the loss of their license.
Potential Impact and Timeline
Kosikowski estimates that several hundred doctors may not meet the requirements or submit documentation by May 1st, but notes that the deadline has been known for two years.
Document Chaos and Accepted Proofs
The Ministry of Health has published a list of documents confirming B1 level Polish proficiency, including exam results from the Supreme Medical Council, a Polish language maturity certificate, and citizenship documentation.
Disagreement Over Accepted Documentation
The Medical Council believes the Ministry of Health’s communication is too imprecise, stating that for foreign language exams, it should specifically mention the certificate issued by the State Commission for the Certification of Proficiency in Polish as a Foreign Language.
As of April 13, 2026, 102 entities are authorized to administer Polish as a foreign language exams at various proficiency levels, including B1, B2, and C1.
The Importance of Certification
For doctors, the difference between a test organizer’s “certificate” and a formal certification can determine whether their documentation is accepted.
For patients, it raises questions about whether the state has clearly defined what constitutes proof of language proficiency.
B1 is Insufficient for Medical Practice
The main dispute concerns not only the documents but also the level of proficiency itself. While B1 is formally sufficient, the Medical Council believes B2 should be the minimum requirement, with Kosikowski suggesting C1 as the ultimate goal.
B1 is considered a “tourist level” of proficiency, inadequate for specialized medical terminology.
Beyond Basic Communication
A doctor’s work extends beyond simply asking “What hurts?” They must understand medical records, test results, team instructions, patient consent, risks, and nuanced emotional cues.
Doctors also need to communicate with nurses, paramedics, diagnosticians, and administrators.
Real-World Examples of Language Barriers
Kosikowski recounts instances where doctors arrived at language exams with a certificate claiming proficiency, accompanied by a translator.
The Council rejected approximately 10-15% of applicants from the special pathway due to insufficient language skills, indicating the problem was not marginal.
False Documents and Lack of Verification
Concerns about language skills are compounded by issues with the authenticity of qualification documents. Kosikowski reports cases of doctors presenting forged documents.
The Council requested the Ministry of Health to verify the documents of one doctor, but was told the Ministry does not handle such verification.
The Standard Route is More Rigorous
Outside the simplified procedure, doctors from non-EU countries can have their diplomas recognized or pass the Medical Verification Exam (LEK).
This exam, conducted in Łódź, is a comprehensive medical exam in Polish, comparable to the LEK exam taken by Polish graduates.
However, the pass rate for this exam is consistently below 10%.
Patient Harm and Legal Consequences
Inadequate language skills have led to legal cases, stemming from language barriers between doctors and patients.
These cases involved misdiagnosis, premature discharge, and prolonged waits in emergency rooms, with some resulting in patient death.
Accountability and Oversight
Determining responsibility for errors made by doctors with limited language skills is complex. The doctor is initially responsible, but oversight was often lacking.
Kosikowski cites an example of a doctor working in Hrubieszów with a supervisor located 500 km away in Wrocław.
Political and Economic Factors Hindering Higher Standards
The reason for maintaining the B1 requirement, despite its inadequacy, is a lack of political will, as a higher standard could lead to a shortage of doctors.
Private medical networks and district hospitals have lobbied against higher standards to maintain low costs and staffing levels.