Choosing a family doctor: POZ

Choose an NFZ primary-care provider, submit a declaration and prepare for your first appointment.

Choose the clinic and doctor

POZ is primary healthcare, including the family doctor. With the relevant entitlement, choose a clinic contracted by NFZ and ask whether the doctor accepts new patients. There is no general residence-district restriction, but distance and available appointments matter. Ask about language support and booking methods.

Submit the declaration

Submit a paper declaration at the clinic or use Internetowe Konto Pacjenta (IKP) where available. Doctor, nurse and midwife choices use the relevant declarations. Keep confirmation and check acceptance in IKP or directly with the clinic. Sending an online form does not mean immediate acceptance; clarify a rejection or pending request.

Prepare for your first visit

Ask registration what identification and entitlement evidence to bring. Prepare a short symptom timeline, medication and allergy list, previous results and discharge summaries. Ask beforehand about interpreting and translations rather than assuming they are provided. Explain important changes and the reason for the visit clearly.

Agree the next steps

The clinician decides medically justified tests, referrals and treatment within the available services; not every requested test is automatically covered. Ask how to obtain results and follow-up, and how to request prescription renewal appropriately. Keep records. Check the clinic’s opening hours; sudden illness outside them and immediate danger require different routes.

Editorial summary checked against official sources: 2026-10-26

• NFZ: entitlement before a publicly funded visit