How an e-recepta works
An e-recepta is an electronic document in the e-zdrowie system. Once issued you get a four-digit code by SMS — give it at the pharmacy along with your PESEL number.
Nothing to print or collect in person. You can fill the prescription at any pharmacy in Poland.
How long a prescription is valid
Normally 30 days from issue. An antibiotic prescription is valid for 7 days, one for medicines imported from abroad 120 days, and an annual prescription can be filled over 365 days.
Which medicines can be prescribed
Most often this is continuing treatment: blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid, asthma, allergy, reflux medication and hormonal contraception. Symptomatic medicines for an infection are also possible.
Descriptions of individual products are in our medicine database — worth checking dosage and contraindications before ordering.
When a prescription will not be issued
The doctor will refuse for medicines requiring medical documentation: antidepressants, psychotropics, oncology drugs and similar. Without current results and treatment history there will be no prescription.
How long it takes
From payment to the SMS with the code usually takes a few tens of minutes.
A prescription for a family member
A prescription is issued to a named person and their PESEL. When ordering for a relative, give their details, not yours — otherwise the pharmacy will not dispense.
How many packs a prescription can cover
On one prescription the doctor can prescribe enough medicine for up to 360 days of treatment. In practice, for continuing therapy this is usually a one- or three-month pack.
Prescriptions and reimbursement
The level of co-payment is decided by the doctor based on indications and the reimbursement list. On a private prescription the medicine is paid in full — mention reimbursement during the consultation if it matters to you.
Medicines on a foreign prescription
A prescription issued outside Poland is not always accepted by Polish pharmacies. It is simpler to get a Polish e-recepta for the same medicine or its equivalent.
What if the SMS with the code does not arrive
The code is also in your Internetowe Konto Pacjenta and in the email we send. If it is in neither, contact us and we will check the order.
Which medicines are available without a prescription in Poland
Painkillers and antipyretics, cold remedies, some allergy, heartburn and mild stomach preparations are sold over the counter.
A prescription is required for all antibiotics, antivirals, hormonal contraception, blood pressure, diabetes and thyroid medication, and psychotropics. Selling these without a prescription is not allowed in Poland.
Prescriptions for antibiotics
Antibiotics in Poland are dispensed only on prescription and only after a doctor's assessment. An antibiotic prescription is valid for 7 days — shorter than a standard one.
A doctor will not prescribe antibiotics "just in case", nor for symptoms pointing to a viral infection where they would not work.
Free and reimbursed prescriptions
Reimbursement applies to people insured with the NFZ. Ukrainian citizens staying in Poland under the special assistance act have access to care on terms close to the insured, including reimbursed medicines.
Free medicines are also available to people under 18 and from 65 years of age, within the relevant list. The level of co-payment is set by the doctor based on entitlements and indications.
Will a Ukrainian prescription be accepted in a Polish pharmacy
A prescription issued in Ukraine is not honoured by Polish pharmacies — only prescriptions issued within the European Union are. The exception is a cross-border prescription from an EU country.
The solution is a Polish e-recepta for the same medicine or its equivalent. During the consultation give the product name and dosage; have your Ukrainian prescription or the packaging to hand.
How to check your prescription
All prescriptions issued to you are visible in your patient account at pacjent.gov.pl — with the code, medicine name, dosage and expiry date.
You can also see which packs have already been collected and which remain.
Very satisfied with the service! I obtained my e-sick leave online, everything was convenient and hassle-free. The documents were sent to the system on time.