Occupational health examination 2026: who pays, cost and what to expect

indekscen.pl editorial team · published 30 September 2026 · prices according to the 5 October 2026 index

An occupational health examination for a typical position without additional tests most often costs PLN 195, with a typical range of PLN 125 ‑ 250, and is paid for by the employer, not the employee. The employee receives a referral, attends an occupational health clinic and leaves with a medical certificate. Specialist consultations and laboratory tests ordered during the process increase the cost.

Everyone starting work under an employment contract undergoes an occupational health examination, followed by periodic examinations every few years. Most questions concern the same things: who pays, what to bring and how long it takes. We answer them and show prices from clinic price lists, as this information is useful to employers, self-employed people and students who pay for examinations themselves.

Do you have to pay for occupational health examinations?

An employee working under an employment contract does not pay for occupational health examinations: the employer covers the cost of pre-employment, periodic and return-to-work examinations, including consultations and additional tests, as required by the Polish Labour Code. The employer issues the referral and usually has an agreement with a specific clinic. If the clinic asks you to pay, keep the invoice or receipt and claim the cost back from your employer. Better still, ask HR in advance how this works at your company.

You pay yourself if there is no employer responsible for the cost: when working under a contract of mandate (if the client neither requires nor pays for the examinations), when running your own business or when an examination is needed for a course or qualification.

How much does a private occupational health examination cost?

A private occupational health doctor’s examination for a position without additional tests most often costs PLN 195, while half of the price lists fall within the range of PLN 125 ‑ 250. This is the median from 6 clinic price lists collected by indekscen.pl. The least expensive clinics charge from PLN 80, while the most expensive charge up to PLN 320. Details and sources are available at occupational health examination.

The cost of any additional tests required for the position is added to the appointment price. This is how their prices compare with the examination alone:

Median and typical range from public price lists, as at 5 October 2026. Each price includes a source and quotation on the service page.

Differences between clinics depend on the city, the type of facility and whether the price includes the certificate and invoice. Professional drivers, machine operators and people working at height are charged separate, higher rates because the doctor orders more consultations.

Referral for an occupational health examination: what must it include?

The employer issues the referral for an occupational health examination, and without it the doctor will not issue a fitness-for-work certificate. The employer enters the employee’s details, position, description of working conditions and any harmful or strenuous factors, such as screen work, noise, working at height or driving a company car. The doctor uses this information to decide which consultations and tests to order.

The referral template is set out in regulations, and most employers use a standard form. Before your appointment, check that the referral is signed and that the factors listed match the work you do. An error in the referral is the most common reason for having to attend a second time.

What happens during an occupational health examination?

An occupational health doctor’s examination usually takes 15 to 30 minutes if the position does not require consultations. It follows a standard process:

1. Registration with your referral and identity card, sometimes followed by completing a health questionnaire.
2. Medical history: previous illnesses, medication, procedures and current well-being.
3. General examination: blood pressure measurement, listening to the heart and lungs, and often a simple eye test using a chart.
4. Referrals for consultations or tests, if required for the position.
5. Certificate confirming fitness or unfitness for work in the position, with the date of the next examination.

Bring your glasses or contact lenses if you use them, along with any test results you have and, if you have a chronic condition, records from the doctor treating you. For positions requiring additional tests, the entire process may take several hours or several days if you need to wait for a specialist appointment.

Eye tests during occupational health examinations: when are they needed?

An eye test during an occupational health examination is needed mainly for work involving a screen for more than four hours a day, driving vehicles and operating machinery. The occupational health doctor will often carry out a simple eye chart test. For screen work, the doctor may refer you for an ophthalmology consultation, which privately costs around PLN 300, typically PLN 290 ‑ 340. Like the entire examination, this consultation is paid for by the employer.

If the ophthalmologist finds that you need glasses for screen work, your employer is required to contribute towards corrective glasses. The employer sets the amount of the contribution in its internal rules, so ask HR.

How much does an occupational health examination for university or school cost?

An occupational health examination for a vocational school pupil or a student on a course involving harmful factors is usually free for the pupil or student: the school or university issues the referral and arranges the examination. This applies, for example, to medical, technical and catering courses. If the school tells you to pay for the examination yourself, ask the school office or dean’s office whether the cost is definitely your responsibility. Privately, you will pay the same as for a standard examination, usually PLN 125 ‑ 250.

Pupils and students who will be in contact with food also need a certificate for sanitary and epidemiological purposes, formerly known in Poland as a sanepid booklet. This set of tests usually costs PLN 130 ‑ 325. Find out more in the article how to obtain a sanepid booklet.

Can an occupational health examination be completed online?

An occupational health examination usually requires an in-person appointment because the doctor must examine the patient, measure their blood pressure and test their eyesight. Online services generally only allow you to book an appointment, download a referral template and pay for the visit. Certificates for sanitary and epidemiological purposes are different: some platforms issue them following a remote consultation based on test results, charging around PLN 170 for the laboratory tests alone, without an appointment. Be wary of offers for an ‘occupational health certificate without leaving home’: your employer may not accept it.

When is a return-to-work examination required?

A return-to-work examination is mandatory when incapacity for work due to illness lasted more than 30 days. The employer refers the employee for the examination before they return to work and pays for it, just as for pre-employment and periodic examinations. A pre-employment examination is not required, among other cases, when an employee is rehired by the same employer for the same position within 30 days of the end of their contract. The detailed exceptions are set out in the Polish Labour Code. If in doubt, ask HR or a lawyer.

How can you avoid overpaying for occupational health examinations?

• Employee: do not pay out of your own pocket without agreeing it with your employer.
• Employer: sign an agreement with one clinic. An ongoing agreement is usually cheaper than individual appointments costing PLN 195 each.
• Only list actual factors in the referral. Each additional factor means further consultations and a higher bill.
• Combine examinations. If a certificate for sanitary and epidemiological purposes is required, obtain it at the same clinic.
• Remember course requirements. For qualification courses, such as a forklift operator course, a medical examination may be a condition for taking the exam. Find out more in the article UDT forklift operator course: price.

You can find more prices for medical appointments and tests in the health category. The prices in this article come from publicly available price lists and articles published by occupational health clinics. Each price has a source, date and verbatim quotation on the service page. We provide only a general summary of the rules: the details of your case should be determined by HR, an occupational health doctor or a lawyer.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an appointment with an occupational health doctor cost?

Wizyta u lekarza medycyny pracy z orzeczeniem kosztuje najczęściej PLN 195, a w cennikach od PLN 80 do PLN 320. Przy umowie o pracę tę kwotę płaci pracodawca.

Is a return-to-work examination required after pregnancy-related sick leave?

Badanie kontrolne jest obowiązkowe po każdej niezdolności do pracy z powodu choroby trwającej dłużej niż 30 dni, także w ciąży. W praktyce zasady po zwolnieniu ciążowym i urlopie macierzyńskim bywają różnie stosowane, więc zapytaj pracodawcę albo kadry. Koszt, zwykle PLN 125 ‑ 250, pokrywa pracodawca.

Should you tell the occupational health doctor that you are pregnant?

To decyzja pracownicy. Lekarz medycyny pracy ocenia zdolność do pracy na konkretnym stanowisku, a informacja o ciąży pomaga mu ocenić czynniki szkodliwe i uciążliwe, których w ciąży trzeba unikać. W razie wątpliwości porozmawiaj z lekarzem prowadzącym ciążę.

How much does an occupational health examination cost for several people?

Przy zamówieniu badań dla kilku pracowników naraz poradnie często dają niższą cenę niż standardowe PLN 195 za osobę. Firmy podpisują zwykle umowę z jedną poradnią na stałe.

How many years is an occupational health doctor's certificate valid for?

Okres ważności orzeczenia wyznacza lekarz, zależnie od stanowiska i stanu zdrowia: przy pracy biurowej to zwykle kilka lat, przy pracy z czynnikami szkodliwymi krócej, nawet rok. Termin kolejnego badania jest wpisany w orzeczeniu.

Translation of the original Polish article dated 30 September 2026. Quotations from price lists are in Polish, as published by the companies. Read the original in Polish.

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