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Database of national-level policy measures

Eurofound's EU PolicyWatch collates information on the responses of government and social partners to the COVID-19 crisis, the war in Ukraine, rising inflation, as well as gathering examples of company practices aimed at mitigating the social and economic impacts.

Factsheet for measure PL-2022-9/2225 – measures in Poland

Simplified procedures for Ukrainian healthcare personnel

Uproszczone procedury dla ukraińskich lekarzy, dentystów, pielęgniarek i położnych

Country Poland , applies nationwide
Time period Temporary, 24 February 2022 – 24 August 2023
Context War in Ukraine
Type Legislations or other statutory regulations
Category Promoting the economic, labour market and social recovery into a green future
– Active labour market policies (enhancing employability, training, subsidised job creation, etc.)
Author Jan Czarzasty (Warsaw School of Economics)
Measure added 09 May 2022 (updated 02 March 2023)

Background information

On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. As a result of Russian aggression, many Ukrainian refugees fled to Poland.

On 12 March 2022, the Special Act regarding Ukrainian refugees (Dz.U. 2022 poz. 583) entered into force, with effect from 24 February 2022. Its aim is to provide assistance to Ukrainians escaping the territory of Ukraine due to armed conflict.

Content of measure

Starting 24 February 2022, for a period of 18 months, a citizen of Ukraine who has obtained the qualifications of a doctor, nurse, midwife or dentist outside the territory of the Member States of the European Union may be granted permission to practice his profession, if they meet the conditions referred to in the specific acts.

A person from Ukraine with the right to practice the profession is allowed to practice the profession only in a medical entity and is obliged to notify the Ministry of Health about the chosen medical venue and planned duration of employment within seven days from the date of commencement.

Use of measure

According to the Minister of Health Adam Niedzielski, until 6 May 2022, 800 doctors from Ukraine started working in Poland due to the simplified procedures. Moreover, overall 1,700 doctors from abroad were employed because of the enacted law. There is no information available for the employment of dentists, nurses and midwives.

According to the Ministry of Health from January 2023, around 5,000 doctors and 2,000 nurses from Ukraine have applied for simplified work permits so far, 3,000 positive decisions have been issued, with an average processing time of between 3 and 5 months.

Target groups

Workers Businesses Citizens
Workers in care facilities
Migrants or refugees in employment
Workers in essential services
Does not apply to businesses Migrants or refugees

Actors and funding

Actors Funding
National government
National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

Trade unions Employers' organisations
Role Unknown Unknown
Form Not applicable Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

  • Unknown
  • Main level of involvement: Unknown

Involvement

Unknown.

Views and reactions

Unknown.

Sectors and occupations

    • Economic area Sector (NACE level 2)
      Q - Human Health And Social Work Activities Q86 Human health activities
    • Occupation (ISCO level 2)
      Health professionals

Sources

  • 12 March 2022: Ustawa z dnia 12 marca 2022 r. o pomocy obywatelom Ukrainy w związku z konfliktem zbrojnym na terytorium tego państwa (isap.sejm.gov.pl)
  • 06 May 2022: Thanks to the new regulations, 1,700 doctors from abroad started working in Poland (niezalezna.pl)
  • 23 January 2023: Ministry to Ukrainian doctors: Work! Medical chambers: OK, but at least speak Polish (oko.press)

Citation

Eurofound (2022), Simplified procedures for Ukrainian healthcare personnel , measure PL-2022-9/2225 (measures in Poland), EU PolicyWatch, Dublin, https://static.eurofound.europa.eu/covid19db/cases/PL-2022-9_2225.html

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Disclaimer: This information has not been subject to the full Eurofound evaluation, editorial and publication process.