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The Polish government is preparing changes for Ukrainian doctors in Poland. Currently, the Polish language exam is not mandatory for refugee doctors from Ukraine. However, in the near future, those who plan to work in Poland or are already working in the country will be required to confirm their knowledge of Polish at the B1 level. Rzeczpospolita reports on the preparation of changes to the requirements for doctors from Ukraine.

In our previous article, we described how to get financial assistance for renting a house in Poland.

Why are the rules being tightened?

According to experts, knowledge of the language at the B1 level will allow doctors from Ukraine to freely conduct medical consultations and provide advice and information in a language accessible and understandable to the patient. However, not everyone agrees with this opinion. For example, the Higher Medical Council, which conducts language exams for foreign doctors, advocates the requirement for Ukrainian doctors to know the language at the B2 level. 

"The Polish language exam at B1 level does not cover medical terminology and vocabulary, procedures and treatment, which is key to working in a medical team. This is especially important in clinical work, where the patient's condition often requires an immediate response and cooperation of the members of the treatment team," explains health law attorney Joanna Wielgolawska-Pilas.

The rationale for the amendments emphasizes that the simplified procedure received approximately 4.2 thousand applications from doctors and dentists, as well as about 2 thousand applications from nurses and midwives. According to the Lewiatan Confederation, these doctors work in such shortage areas as hospital emergency departments, night and weekend medical care, as well as general surgery and internal medicine.

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Who will have to pass the Polish language exam and when?

According to the proposed amendments, Ukrainian doctors and dentists working or planning to work in Poland under simplified conditions will be required to pass a language exam and confirm the B1 level. These changes are expected to come into force on July 1, 2024. 

If the amendments are adopted within the specified timeframe, doctors will have to provide the relevant district medical council with a document confirming their Polish language proficiency by January 1, 2026. Otherwise, they may lose the right to practice medicine in Poland.

It is noted that such examinations are held in Poland every two months, so doctors will be able to pass them within a clearly defined time frame.

We remind you! The Polish government has announced amendments to the special law on temporary protection of Ukrainians in Poland, which are to enter into force on July 1, 2024. Read more about what innovations in obtaining and using PESEL UKR await refugees from Ukraine in our previous article.