Poles Seek EU Healthcare: Cataract and Dental Treatments Abroad

Polish citizens are increasingly seeking medical care abroad, utilizing their rights within the European Union and European Economic Area to access treatments funded by the National Health Fund (NFZ). In 2025, the NFZ processed 14,300 applications for reimbursement of planned medical procedures, disbursing 46 million PLN. This trend highlights a growing demand for cross-border healthcare services.

Cataract surgery and dental procedures dominate the list of treatments sought by Poles in other EU countries. Last year alone, 11,300 cataract surgeries were performed abroad, with the NFZ reimbursing 32.4 million PLN for these procedures. The reimbursement system involves patients paying out-of-pocket for treatment abroad and then seeking compensation from the NFZ, which reimburses according to Polish rates.

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I have the impression that there is no mystery behind patients' trips to the Czech Republic, but rather three specific reasons: shorter waiting times, the possibility of paying extra for a better lens, and convenient logistics, including transport to and from home.

The Czech Republic has emerged as a primary destination for medical tourism among Poles. While the NFZ reimburses according to Polish tariffs, clinics in the Czech Republic may profit due to different pricing structures. Professor Edward Wylęgała, a leading ophthalmologist, suggests that the appeal of Czech clinics lies not in superior medical materials or techniques, but in shorter waiting times, the option to pay for better intraocular lenses, and convenient logistics, including transport services.

"I have the impression that there is no mystery behind patients' trips to the Czech Republic, but rather three specific reasons: shorter waiting times, the possibility of paying extra for a better lens, and convenient logistics, including transport to and from home," Wylęgała told "Rzeczpospolita." He emphasized that the surgical procedures themselves are not performed any better or differently than in Poland, based on his examination of patients who have undergone surgery abroad.

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I see the surgery itself is not performed any differently or better than in Poland.