Healthcare Salaries in Poland

Poland's healthcare system is one of the largest in Central Europe, employing hundreds of thousands of nurses and doctors across public and private facilities. Polish nursing education meets EU standards, and graduates are well-regarded across Europe for their clinical training and adaptability. However, compensation has not kept pace with the rising cost of professional education and living expenses in major cities like Warsaw and Krakow. Registered nurses earn a median of approximately PLN 72,000 per year (around EUR 16,500), while physicians earn roughly PLN 180,000 (EUR 41,000). These figures sit far below what comparable roles pay in Germany, where nurse salaries start at EUR 42,000 and can exceed EUR 50,000 with shift premiums. The salary gap is a key driver of outward migration among Polish healthcare professionals.

Poland has become one of the top source countries for healthcare professionals moving to Germany. EU freedom of movement means Polish nurses and doctors face minimal bureaucratic barriers to relocation. Germany actively recruits from Poland, offering structured onboarding, language support, and salaries that are 2.5 to 3 times higher than Polish levels. For nurses considering a move, docdocjob provides end-to-end support with language preparation, credential recognition, and job placement in German hospitals and care facilities.