Poland
Regulations on entry, stay, residence, and treatment access for people living with HIV
The categories of restriction are:
- No restrictions on entry or staying.
Restrictions on entry to Poland
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on entry to Poland based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Poland does not have any HIV-related restrictions on entry.
While some users of the site have reported that medical questions might arise during the visa procedure, nothing on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs suggests an HIV related restriction on entry. However, it should be noted that ‘supporting documents may be different depending on the country where a visa application is submitted.’
Restrictions on short-term stay in Poland
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on short-term stay in Poland based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Poland does not have any HIV-related restrictions on short-term stay.
None of the work permit categories listed on the website of the Polish Government include a health requirement.
There are also no health requirements on a temporary residence visa beyond having health insurance.
The temporary stay formats do not include fields that imply testing or disclosure of any health condition.
Restrictions on long-term stay in Poland
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on long-term stay in Poland based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Poland does not have any HIV-related restrictions on long-term stay.
There are also no health requirements on a permanent residence visa beyond having health insurance.
The permanent stay formats do not include fields that imply testing or disclosure of any health condition.
Treatment access in Poland
The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in Poland. There is some evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.
Visitors to Poland can bring antiretrovirals into the country for personal use in the amount corresponding to the duration of stay.
Free and anonymous testing is available at 32 VCT (voluntary counselling and testing) centres across Poland. A list of treatment centres as of February 2024 can be found here.
Recognised refugees have access to national healthcare and mandatory insurance under the same conditions as permanent residents and citizens. Unemployed individuals registered under the Law on Employment and Countering Unemployment are also covered. However, newly recognised refugees who have never been legally employed in Poland are not eligible for national medical insurance and can only receive free care in emergency situations.
Asylum seekers have the same healthcare rights as Polish nationals with health insurance, as guaranteed by law.
Undocumented migrants are entitled to free emergency care but must pay the full cost for any primary or secondary medical services they access.
It is recommended to seek advice and help from local NGOs if you are left without ART, have difficulties with your insurance, or do not have the proper documents.
According to a report by the European Website on Integration, only Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is provided free of charge to the uninsured. This applies to regular migrants, undocumented migrants and asylum seekers.
Sources
The HIV Justice Network's Global HIV Criminalisation Database
Visit the Poland page on the Global HIV Criminalisation Database to see more information about known HIV criminalisation laws in this country, an overview of how the laws are used, and any significant advocacy developments.
UNAIDS Global AIDS monitoring data
This information about access to HIV services comes from UNAIDS https://lawsandpolicies.unaids.org/, a platform to view data on HIV-related laws and policies. This is information provided by national authorities and civil society and may contradict other sources.
Migrant populations
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Migrants are able to access HIV services | N/A |
Refugees and asylum seekers
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
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This site focuses on information about HIV travel. Please also consult your own Foreign Office/Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, or the local consulate of the country you are visiting, to see what restrictions there are specifically for you as a citizen of your country, regardless of your HIV status.
