Workers – Physiotherapists – Poland

Updated : 12/2012

Recognition of professional qualifications

Only if you want to workabroad, not for study purposes.

If you obtained your professional qualifications outside the EU, you must check with the relevant authority whether you can apply to have them recognised.

Permanent stay
Temporary stay

Documents you must provide [permanent stay]

If you wish to work as a physiotherapist in Poland on a permanent basis, you must submit the following documents:

completed application form (in Polish)
copy of your ID card or passport
copy of your qualification certificate
detailed transcript (& translation) of the study programme from your educational institution, with details of:
a. admission requirements
b. total length of programme
c. theory: subjects and lecture hours for each
d. clinical education: subjects and duration in hours
e. clinical education: departments and number of weeks in each
copies of certificates or other documents confirming your professional experience, stating in particular the period of employment and type of legal relationship with your employer/principal
certificate (less than 3 months old) of current professional status/good standing from the relevant health authorities in your most recent country of work and residence, confirming that:
- you are legally entitled to practice as a physiotherapist
- you have not been suspended, disqualified or prohibited from practicing
copies of any additional documentation demonstrating that you have been developing your professional skills (additional courses and training), which might help the Polish authorities assess your qualifications
proof you have paid the application fee.

All documents – except your identity card/passport – must be in Polish. You can submit documents in other languages, but each must be accompanied by a certified translation, provided by an officially recognised translator in Poland or any EU country – or Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.

You may be able to find an officially recognised translator by contacting the relevant national translation body.

Any documents that you submit which are copies must be certified – by the Polish consulate or a Polish notary. Alternatively, you can hand in your application – with original documents – in person. The responsible authority will make copies on the spot and certify them, so that you can take the originals away with you.

If you send your application, we recommend you use registered post, to avoid any lost documents. Keep a copy for your records. The original documents, including translations, will be returned to you when the recognition procedure is complete.

Responsible authority [permanent stay]

Ministerstwo Zdrowia-Departament Nauki i Szkolnictwa Wyższego
Recognition of physiotherapy qualifications

Miodowa 15
00-952 Warszawa

Tel.: +48 (22) 634 94 00
E-mail: kwalifikacjezawodowe@mz.gov.pl
Polish Ministry of Health (in Polish)

When can you expect an answer? [permanent stay]

Once you have sent your documents, the authorities have:

1 month – from the moment they receive your application – to acknowledge receipt and request any other documents they require
3 months to take a decision, once your application is complete.

Cost [permanent stay]

PLN 523, to be transferred to:

Urząd Dzielnicy Śródmieście m.st. Warszawy
ul. Nowogrodzka 43
PL-00-691 Warszaw

Account number: 60 1030 1508 0000 0005 5001 0038 - Swift code: CITIPLPX

Attach a copy of the bank statement to your application - as proof you have paid the application fee.

Documents you must provide [temporary stay]

If you wish to work as a physiotherapist in Poland on a temporary basis, you must submit the following documents:

declaration form stating that you intend to work temporarily as a physiotherapist in Poland
copy of your qualification certificate
a simple statement of how long you plan to work in Poland
the professional title you intend to use in Poland
declaration of what liability insurance you have
license or registration number in your home country
certified copy of documents attesting that you are entitled to practise as a physiotherapist in your home country, plus certified translation
proof that you have worked as a physiotherapist for at least 2 years in the last 10
Submit working contracts or attestations from employers stating that you've been working as physiotherapist and for how long.

You may be able to find an officially recognised translator by contacting the relevant national translation body.

Responsible authority [temporary stay]

Ministerstwo Zdrowia-Departament Nauki i Szkolnictwa Wyższego
Recognition of physiotherapy qualifications

Miodowa 15
00-952 Warszawa

Tel.: +48 (22) 634 94 00
E-mail: kwalifikacjezawodowe@mz.gov.pl
Polish Ministry of Health (in Polish)

When can you expect an answer? [temporary stay]

Once you have sent your documents, the authorities have 1 month (from the moment they receive your application) to do one of the following:

If your application is incomplete, they will acknowledge receipt of your application and request any other documents they require
If your application is complete, they can either:
- authorise you to work directly as a physiotherapist in Poland or
- start the procedure for recognition of professional qualifications – if they need to check whether or not your qualifications match the level of qualifications required in Poland.

Cost [temporary stay]

No charge.

Still need help?

Haven't found the information you need? Do you have a problem to solve?