# Poland healthcare regulations and sanatorium management > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/poland-sanatorium-treatment-and-nfz-funding > Updated: 2026-09-22T16:02:00.000Z. Sources: 17. Developments: 5. In the first half of 2025, the Polish National Health Fund (NFZ) reported that over 208,000 people utilized sanatorium treatments, with expenditures exceeding 895 million PLN. While priority is granted to specific groups such as military veterans and organ donors, patients in regions like Silesia face wait times of up to one year. Eligibility is restricted to patients who are sufficiently mobile and independent. By the first half of 2026, the system faced financial challenges due to unfulfilled stays. Nearly 12,000 medical referrals—approximately 5.49% of contracted services—were not realized because patients failed to appear, resulting in losses exceeding 75.5 million PLN. Total losses from no-shows over 2024 and 2025 exceeded 108 million PLN. Parallel challenges emerged in the labor sector, where mental and behavioral disorders accounted for 34.1 million days of sick leave in 2025, a 69% increase since 2019. In late September 2026, the Council of Ministers approved legislative projects to regulate medical personnel employment and compensation. These measures include capping total working hours at the equivalent of two full-time positions and setting maximum monthly salaries at 16 times the minimum wage to ensure staffing stability. To increase transparency, the NFZ is implementing a central electronic registration system (AP-KOLCE) to detect patients registered for the same procedure at multiple facilities. This follows updated rules for managing patient waiting lists and identifying professionals via license numbers. Additionally, new regulations for postgraduate medical internships and standardized documentation for doctors and dentists are set to take effect by October 2026. Legislative changes are also being considered to introduce a total ban on alcohol sales within medical facilities and sanatoriums that combine NFZ-funded treatments with tourism services. Industry representatives have warned this could impact revenue for onsite restaurants and cafes. ## Claims - Nearly 12,000 medical referrals were not realized in the first half of 2026. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The value of unfulfilled sanatorium services exceeded 75.5 million PLN in the first half of 2026. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The financial loss in the first half of 2026 surpassed the total losses for the entire year of 2025. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Ministry of Health is analyzing a proposal to introduce a 12-month waiting period for patients who fail to show up for scheduled sanatorium treatments without notice. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-22: Poland considers alcohol sale ban in sanatoriums and medical facilities Proposed Polish legislation may ban alcohol sales in medical facilities and sanatoriums, sparking industry concerns over revenue loss, while seasonal rate changes offer cost savings for patients. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/poland-considers-alcohol-sales-ban-in-medical-facilities ### 2026-09-21: Poland implements healthcare reforms and medical staffing regulations Poland is implementing healthcare reforms to regulate medical staff salaries, cap working hours, and introduce a central electronic registration system to manage patient waiting lists more effectively. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/poland-implements-new-healthcare-and-medical-documentation-regulations ### 2026-09-10: Poland faces rising costs from mental health absenteeism and sanatorium no-shows Poland faces rising costs in healthcare and labor: mental health issues caused 34.1 million sick days in 2025, while sanatorium no-shows resulted in over 75 million PLN in losses during early 2026. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/poland-faces-rising-costs-from-mental-health-absenteeism-and-sanatorium-no-shows ### 2026-09-08: Poland sanatoriums face major losses from unfulfilled medical referrals Polish sanatoriums lost over 75.5 million PLN in the first half of 2026 due to unfulfilled medical referrals. The Ministry of Health is considering a 12-month penalty for patients who fail to show up. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/poland-sanatoriums-face-major-losses-from-unfulfilled-medical-referrals ### 2026-08-27: Poland sanatorium treatment: eligibility and wait times Polish patients face long sanatorium wait times, but veterans and donors may receive priority. Eligibility requires patients to be independent and capable of self-care during their stay. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/poland-sanatorium-treatment-eligibility-and-wait-times --- Cite as: Poland healthcare regulations and sanatorium management. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/poland-sanatorium-treatment-and-nfz-funding