E-prescription for foreigners and IKP: how does it work?

For many newcomers, the biggest surprise is that prescriptions are most often no longer paper. In practice, e-prescription works as a record in the system, and the patient only gets the data needed to buy the drugs. This is convenient, but a foreigner may have questions: where to get the e-prescription code, whether it is possible to collect medicines without a Polish PESEL number and how it helps in all this IKP Internet Patient Account.

In this tutorial, I explain how it works e-prescription for foreigners, how to use the application myIKP, and what to do if you are interested in how to set up an IKP without a PESEL. At the end, you'll find a short checklist to quickly see if you have everything to buy your medications and preview your appointments.

An e-prescription in Poland is issued by a doctor in an in-patient office, a teleprescribing service or part of a private e-consultation. From the patient's perspective, you don't have to „have the paper.” All you have to do is get the prescription data and the pharmacist will find it in the system. Most often you will get a text message or e-mail, and sometimes an informational printout.

Two elements are most important: e-prescription code (4 digits) and the patient's identifier. In Poland, the identifier is sometimes PESEL, but in practice, foreigners also fill prescriptions on the basis of the identity document indicated when issuing the prescription. Therefore, always make sure that the doctor has entered the correct data from the passport or ID card.

E-prescription code you will receive in one of the forms: SMS, e-mail, information printout, or in a preview on IKP. If you don't already have access to IKP, ask your doctor for a printout or to send the code via SMS. At the pharmacy, you usually provide the 4-digit code and the document for which the prescription was issued.

IKP Internet Patient Account is a government service where you can see your e-prescriptions, e-referrals and some of the information on benefits provided. For a foreigner, the biggest advantage is a quick view of active prescriptions and the ability to see if a prescription has already been filled. In many cases, IKP also makes it easier to retrieve a code when an SMS goes missing.

IKP is also practical from the point of view of organizing treatment in Poland. There are times when you use different facilities, and you need one place to check your history. That's when it comes in handy access to treatment history (to the extent that data is reported to the system). This is important, especially with chronic diseases and medication changes.

We describe more about the realities of health care use in Poland in the advice section of the website guide for foreigners.

MyIKP application works like a mobile „wallet” for e-health. After logging in, you can quickly show your e-prescription, check its status and find the data you need at the pharmacy. This is especially convenient if you don't want to enter a code from an SMS, because in the app you have everything in one place. Keep in mind, however, that for full functionality you usually need a certain login method (such as a trusted profile or other available method).

Subject how to set up an IKP without a PESEL is one of the most common questions among new residents of Poland. In practice, many public services are linked to the PESEL number, so the lack of a PESEL may limit the quick activation of a full account or automatic data plugging. At the same time, this does not mean that you are helpless in terms of e-prescription.

If you don't have a PESEL, focus on two steps: first, ensure that prescriptions are issued with the correct document data. Second, check the available methods for identifying and logging into e-health services on official government websites, as the rules may change. It's also worth considering getting a PESEL number if you've lived in Poland longer, as this makes it easier to use many services.

Cross-border prescription is a solution that can help when you are being treated in one EU country and want to buy a drug in another. In practice, the fulfillment rules depend on the country, the type of drug and the formal requirements, and not all preparations can be bought this way. If you plan to use a prescription from abroad in Poland, it is a good idea to call the pharmacy in advance and confirm what data you will need.

Equally important is access to treatment history. Some medical events may appear in the IKP, but the completeness of the data depends on whether the provider reports them to the system. That's why when you change doctors, it's a good idea to also have your own records: discharges, test results and a list of medications. This makes it easier to continue therapy and reduces the risk of mistakes.

If you're wondering whether it's better to use the National Health Service or privately, see our article: private treatment or National Health Service. In the context of e-prescribing, the differences are mainly in the organization of visits, rather than the prescription mechanism itself.

The most common difficulties are typos in the data, inconsistencies in the document, an incorrect phone number or a confused email address. Then the pharmacy may not find the prescription by code and ID. The usual solution is to contact the facility that issued the e-prescription and correct the data. If the drugs are urgent, ask the doctor about an alternative form of data transfer or issuing a new prescription.

Remember also the financial issue. Foreigners without National Health Service entitlements often incur the cost of visits and some of the medicines on their own. Therefore, when staying in Poland for a longer period of time, it is worth considering insurance coverage to reduce the risk of high bills. You can find information on costs at medical expenses of a foreigner and in the insurance for residence card.

In practice e-prescription for foreigners works similarly to the way it does for Poles: the prescription is in the system, and you need the data for fulfillment and an identity document. The most useful tools are IKP Internet Patient Account i myIKP application, because they help to retrieve the code and control the implementation of medicines. If you do not have a PESEL, the key is to enter the document data correctly and check the current account activation options.

If you'd like to better prepare for health care use in Poland, review our handbook. And if you're planning a longer stay, consider solutions that make it easier to access a doctor and cover medical expenses.