Doctor salaries in Poland 2026: Shocking report

24 February 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

A 2026 Ministry of Health report reveals dramatic disparities in doctor salaries in Poland, with some physicians issuing monthly hospital invoices above 100,000 złoty. What this means for patients, hospitals and expats relying on Polish healthcare.

The latest official figures on doctor salaries released by the Ministry of Health have attracted national attention: while average pay in the medical sector is rising, a small number of physicians are issuing monthly invoices to hospitals that exceed 100,000 złoty (roughly €22,000–€25,000 or about $24,000–$27,000). This split highlights structural issues in Poland’s healthcare system and has clear implications for patients and foreign residents.

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What the report shows

The Ministry’s dataset, highlighted in a recent media report, shows overall wage growth across hospitals but also a long tail of very high earners. These “record-breakers” are not salaried doctors in the standard sense: their high income typically comes from a mix of base pay, paid overtime, separate contractor invoices and private practice work. The public data are invoices or payments recorded by hospitals, not necessarily the take-home net salary after taxes and social contributions.

Why some doctors earn more than 100,000 zł a month

Several factors explain the extreme figures. First, specialty matters: surgeons, interventional cardiologists, and anesthesiologists who perform high-value procedures can generate large fees. Second, many doctors hold a formal employment contract (etat) while also doing extra shifts on separate contracts (for example, “umowa zlecenie” or contractor agreements) that are billed to hospital budgets. Third, senior specialists sometimes bill for complex procedures performed for private patients within hospital facilities or for work subcontracted by private clinics. Finally, a shortage of specialists pushes up pay for overtime and agency work.

Why this matters for patients and expats

For patients, the gap signals an uneven distribution of resources: some high-demand services attract top pay, while other essential care remains understaffed. For expats who rely on public services through the NFZ (National Health Fund) or private insurance, the result can be longer wait times in public hospitals and an increased reliance on private clinics for quicker access. The high invoices also feed public debate about transparency, hospital budgets and whether extra contracting encourages dual practice at the expense of routine public care.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: Poland’s healthcare financing mixes public and private elements. The NFZ (National Health Fund) pays for many services for insured residents; however, hospitals may also hire doctors on full-time employment contracts (etat), short-term contractor agreements (umowa zlecenie or umowa o dzieło), or accept payments for private procedures performed in the same facility. ZUS is the Social Insurance Institution that collects contributions for pensions and health-related social insurance; taxes and ZUS contributions significantly reduce the gross sums that appear on invoices. For expats: if you use public care through the NFZ, you may face longer waits for specialist procedures if staff are diverted to higher-paying private work. If you prefer faster access, private clinics are available but can be costly—check whether your international insurance covers private inpatient and outpatient care in Poland. Also note that amounts are quoted in Polish złoty (PLN); 100,000 PLN is roughly €22,000–€25,000 depending on exchange rates.

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