Medical insight.
Commercial experience.
Connections that move projects forward.

Poland is one of Central Europe’s largest healthcare markets, supported by a publicly funded healthcare system, growing demand for modern healthcare services and increasing interest in digital health and medical innovation.

Its ageing population, increasing chronic disease burden and healthcare workforce pressures create opportunities for earlier diagnosis, more efficient care and solutions closer to home. As an EU member state, Poland also provides a potential starting point for wider European partnerships.

Country profile

Poland has 16 administrative regions. Major cities are centres for healthcare provision, medical research and business activity. Its healthcare system combines publicly funded care with private providers, particularly in diagnostics, outpatient services and employer-funded healthcare packages.

An ageing population and workforce shortages are increasing demand for chronic disease management, rehabilitation, integrated care and remote monitoring. Immigration, including displacement from Ukraine, adds further health and mental healthcare needs.

Understanding the healthcare market

The National Health Fund (NFZ) finances publicly funded healthcare services under a universal insurance system. The Ministry of Health oversees national policy. Hospitals, primary care, specialist clinics and diagnostic centres include both public and private providers.

Market entry requires understanding public reimbursement, provider-level purchasing, private demand and regional differences. Priorities include access to care, prevention, primary care, hospital modernisation and digital transformation.

Key healthcare and innovation organisations

• Ministry of Health — national policy and legislation
• National Health Fund (NFZ) — public healthcare contracting and financing
• Centre for e-Health (CeZ) — national digital health infrastructure
• AOTMiT — health technology assessment and tariffs
• URPL — regulatory responsibilities for medicines and medical devices
• National Institute of Public Health PZH–PIB — public health research and surveillance
• Universities and teaching hospitals — education and clinical research

Digital health in Poland

Poland has national infrastructure for e-prescriptions, e-referrals and electronic medical documentation through its P1 platform. Hospital digitalisation and cybersecurity programmes continue, although implementation and interoperability vary between providers.

Entering the Polish market

• Regulation: EU MDR and IVDR apply to relevant medical devices; UKCA alone is not sufficient for EU access.
• Reimbursement: Public funding pathways and assessment by AOTMiT may be relevant.
• Data and cybersecurity: Applicable EU and Polish rules, integration and language requirements must be considered.
• Adoption: Clinical outcomes, cost-effectiveness, workflow fit and operational benefits influence uptake.
• Funding: EU and national programmes, including eligible NCBR and PARP schemes, may support innovation.

Opportunities for UK innovators

Potential pathways include clinical pilots with hospitals and universities; digital solutions compatible with national infrastructure; workforce productivity tools; remote monitoring; technologies supporting ageing and chronic disease management; and EU-funded research collaborations.

We bring together medical understanding, commercial experience and international connections to help clients identify opportunities, build partnerships and move projects forward in Poland and selected CEE markets.