Cross-border e-prescriptions in Poland: how to fill a foreign prescription  [2026 Guide]

What is a cross-border e-prescription?

A cross-border e-prescription is a prescription issued in another EU country that can be filled in Poland under the EU cross-border healthcare rules. The system enables pharmacists in Poland to access prescription data and dispense medicines based on information stored in the healthcare systems of other participating EU countries. Countries supported by the Polish e-prescription system (as of June 18, 2026):

• CY – Cyprus,
• CZ – Czechia,
• EE – Estonia,
• ES – Spain,
• FI – Finland,
• GR – Greece,
• HR – Croatia,
• HU – Hungary,
• LT – Lithuania,
• LV – Latvia,
• PT – Portugal,
• SI – Slovenia,
• VA – Vatican City.

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Who can use a cross-border e-prescription in Poland?

Adult patients can use cross-border e-prescriptions in Poland. If you are a foreign patient in Poland, you may present at the pharmacy:

• a cross-border e-prescription (e.g. displayed on a mobile device),
• a paper printout of an e-prescription,
• the number of your cross-border e-prescription.

Which countries participate in the cross-border e-prescription system?

Poland accepts cross-border e-prescriptions from selected EU countries participating in the system. The system is gradually expanding and is expected to include all EU and EFTA countries in the future. Current availability should always be checked before travelling, as the list of participating countries may change.

How to fill a cross-border e-prescription in Poland

At the pharmacy in Poland:

1. Present your identity document (passport or national ID card).
2. Provide your e-prescription code or prescription printout.
3. Confirm consent for processing medical data if required.
4. The pharmacist retrieves the prescription from the system.
5. You collect and pay for the medicines.

If you use an electronic prescription system, you may receive:

• an SMS with a prescription code,
• an email with a PDF prescription,
• a paper information printout with a barcode.

To make the process smoother, we recommend bringing a printed copy of your e-prescription or a PDF version.

What information must a cross-border prescription contain?

According to EU cross-border prescription rules, prescriptions should contain:

• the patient’s date of birth,
• the address of the healthcare provider or medical practice,
• the professional qualification or medical title of the prescriber,
• direct contact details for the prescriber, for example a phone number or email address.

Information about the prescribed medicine must be clear and unambiguous. If the medicine name is written in a non-Latin alphabet, the prescription cannot be filled in Poland.

Are medicines in Poland reimbursed at the pharmacy? 

Usually not.  In the case of cross-border prescriptions, patients typically pay the full price for medicines in Poland.

Can you apply for reimbursement later?

In many cases, yes. After purchasing medicines in Poland, you may apply for reimbursement in your home country under EU cross-border healthcare rules. Eligibility for reimbursement depends on the rules of your national healthcare system.

Can you buy only part of the medicines from a cross-border prescription?

Partial dispensing may not always be possible for cross-border e-prescriptions. In practice, patients are often required to collect all medicines during one pharmacy visit. If you decide not to collect certain medicines, you may not be able to obtain them later using the same prescription.

Can long-term prescriptions be filled in Poland?

Yes, but cross-border dispensing rules may differ from your home country. Before travelling, verify whether your prescription can be used for repeat dispensing abroad.

Which medicines cannot be purchased using a cross-border prescription?

Cross-border prescriptions in Poland do not apply to:

• narcotic and psychotropic medicines,
• compounded medicines prepared in pharmacies,
• medicines intended only for hospital use,
• medical devices,
• foods for special medical purposes (FSMPs).

Can you receive a substitute medicine?

Yes, unless the prescribing doctor indicated that substitution is not allowed. The pharmacist selects an equivalent medicine based on the active substance and dosage. Brand names may differ between countries.

What should you do before travelling to Poland?

Before your trip, it is recommended to:

• check whether your country participates in the cross-border e-prescription system,
• carry a printed prescription or PDF copy,
• verify the international name of the active substance,
• confirm medicine availability in Poland,
• carry your passport.

Common problems with cross-border prescriptions in Poland

The most common issues include:

• medicine unavailable in Poland,
• different brand names for the same medicine,
• no possibility of partial dispensing,
• technical issues affecting access to the pharmacy system,
• prescriptions missing required information.

Prescriptions from countries outside the EU

Poland also accepts some paper prescriptions issued outside the European Union. Such prescriptions must contain all legally required patient, medicine, and prescriber information. Medicines purchased using these prescriptions are available only at full price.

Cross-border e-prescriptions in Poland – key rules

• available mainly for adult patients,
• accepted from selected EU countries,
• usually require full payment at the pharmacy,
• may not allow partial dispensing,
• do not include all medicine categories,
• reimbursement may be possible later in the patient’s home country.

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