Poland extends emergency contraception pilot program through 2027
The Ministry of Health will extend the pharmacy-prescribing pilot for emergency contraception pills, allowing pharmacists to issue prescriptions directly through at least 2027.
Poland's Ministry of Health announced in June 2026 that it will extend the pilot programme allowing pharmacists to prescribe emergency contraception (EC) pills directly in participating pharmacies. The programme, which began on May 1, 2024, was originally scheduled to run for 25 months until June 2026, but will now continue for an additional one to two years based on positive uptake.
According to data from the Centre for e-Health, pharmacies issued 52,967 prescriptions for EC pills in 2025. The Ministry cited the programme's effectiveness and its role in addressing an important health need as key reasons for continuation. Under the current system, participating pharmacies provide consultations and issue prescriptions for ulipristal acetate EC pills.
Background and access for foreigners
The pilot was introduced after legislation to make emergency contraception available without a prescription was vetoed. This means EC pills in Poland still require a prescription, but the burden of obtaining one has been reduced for many patients—including foreign residents—who can now access the medication through participating pharmacies rather than visiting a doctor first.
The extension ensures continuity of access through 2027 or 2028, giving the government more time to evaluate whether to make the pharmacy-prescribing pathway permanent or move to full over-the-counter status.
What this means for you
If you are a foreigner living in Poland and need emergency contraception, check whether your local pharmacy participates in the pilot program. Participating pharmacies can provide a consultation and issue a prescription on the spot, without requiring you to see a GP first. This is particularly helpful if you do not have a registered family doctor (lekarz rodzinny) or if accessing NFZ primary care is difficult. The service is available to anyone, regardless of nationality or insurance status, though you will pay the full cost of the medication unless you have NFZ coverage.
