Private PET scan: 2026 cost, PET/CT, PET/MRI and NFZ

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

A private whole-body PET/CT scan with an FDG tracer most often costs PLN 5,500, while half of facilities charge between PLN 3,950 ‑ 6,800. The cheapest offers start at PLN 1,500, and the most expensive reach PLN 7,600. PET/MRI and tracers other than FDG cost more. The scan is free under the NFZ with a referral if a doctor determines that it is medically indicated.

A PET scan is one of the most expensive imaging tests that patients pay for privately, usually when the wait for an NFZ appointment is too long or a doctor has ordered a scan that is not covered. We collected prices from imaging centre price lists and articles, compared PET/CT with PET/MRI and less expensive tests, and explain what affects the final bill. This is not medical advice: the attending doctor decides whether a PET scan is necessary.

How much does a private PET scan cost?

A private PET scan most often costs PLN 5,500 for a whole-body PET/CT scan with an FDG tracer, according to 4 price lists and articles collected by indekscen.pl. Half of the prices fall within the range PLN 3,950 ‑ 6,800. The lowest figures, from PLN 1,500, are quoted in guide articles, while current imaging centre price lists are clearly closer to the upper end of the range, reaching PLN 7,600.

The price usually covers preparation and administration of the radiotracer, the scan itself and interpretation of the results by a nuclear medicine specialist and radiologist. Before booking, it is worth asking whether the price includes a disc with the images and how long the report will take.

PET/CT or PET/MRI: what is the difference in price?

A PET/CT scan combines metabolic imaging with computed tomography, while PET/MRI combines it with magnetic resonance imaging. PET/CT is the standard and costs less. Fewer centres offer PET/MRI, so it is more expensive and less readily available. In the price lists we collected, whole-body PET/MRI is at the upper end of the PLN 3,950 ‑ 6,800 range.

The tracer also affects the price. FDG, a form of labelled glucose, is the least expensive and most commonly used. Specialist tracers, such as PSMA for prostate cancer or choline, increase the cost of the scan.

Scan	Typical private price	What it shows
Whole-body PET/CT with FDG	PLN 3,950 ‑ 6,800	tissue metabolism and anatomy
CT scan of one area	PLN 435 ‑ 490	organ anatomy, without metabolism
MRI scan of one area	PLN 600 ‑ 690	soft tissue, without radiation
Contrast-enhanced MRI	around PLN 940	clearer images of tissue abnormalities

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

CT and MRI do not replace a PET scan, as they show the anatomy of organs, while PET shows their metabolic activity. Comparing prices does, however, help explain why PET costs several times more: it requires a radiotracer produced in a cyclotron and used within a few hours.

What does a PET scan involve?

A PET scan involves injecting a small amount of radiotracer into a vein. The tracer accumulates in tissues with increased metabolic activity, and a scanner then records its distribution. The procedure usually involves the following steps:

1. Registration and medical history. Staff ask about illnesses, medicines, diabetes, pregnancy and breastfeeding, and measure your blood glucose level.
2. Injection of the tracer into a vein, usually in the arm.
3. Resting quietly for about an hour to allow the tracer to circulate around the body. You should not talk or walk during this time.
4. Scanning while lying on a table that moves slowly through the scanner ring.
5. Returning home with advice to drink plenty of fluids and avoid close contact with pregnant women and young children for several hours.

The imaging centre will always provide detailed preparation instructions, including how long to fast and what to do if you have diabetes. It is worth asking about these when booking.

How long does a PET scan take?

A PET scan usually takes two to three hours from the time you arrive at the imaging centre, although the scan itself takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Most of this time is spent waiting for the tracer to circulate after it has been administered. The report is usually available after a few working days, although some centres offer faster reporting for private scans.

What are the side effects of a PET scan?

A PET scan has few side effects: the radiotracer is administered in a small dose, decays within a few hours and is excreted in the urine. The patient receives a radiation dose comparable to that from other CT examinations, so the scan is performed when the benefit outweighs the risk. Allergic reactions to FDG are very rare. If contrast medium is used during PET/CT, the same precautions apply as for a contrast-enhanced CT scan.

During pregnancy, the scan is performed only in exceptional circumstances. If you are breastfeeding, the imaging centre will tell you how long to pause feeding. Discuss any concerns with the referring doctor.

Can you have a private PET scan without a referral?

You can have a PET scan privately, but imaging centres usually require a doctor’s referral even if you pay for the scan. This is due to radiation protection regulations: a scan using a radiotracer must be medically justified. The referral may be issued by a doctor seen privately, such as an oncologist. A private scan usually costs PLN 3,950 ‑ 6,800, excluding the consultation.

How long is the wait for an NFZ PET scan?

The waiting time for a PET/CT scan under the NFZ depends on the centre and urgency. Cancer patients with a cancer diagnosis and treatment card wait less time than other patients. You can check current appointment dates at specific centres using the NFZ search engine: https://terminyleczenia.nfz.gov.pl/. It is worth contacting several imaging centres, as waiting times can vary considerably between cities.

The scan is free under the NFZ, but you need a referral and must meet the coverage criteria. If you do not meet them or the wait is too long, you can have the scan privately. Some patients have PET scans included in their health insurance plan, so it is worth checking the policy terms before paying.

When does a doctor order a PET scan?

Doctors most commonly order PET scans in oncology to assess whether cancer has spread, plan treatment or check how a tumour is responding to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. PET is used less often in cardiology to assess the viability of the heart muscle, in neurology, for example to diagnose epilepsy and dementia, and to identify the source of a fever of unknown origin.

PET is not used for routine screening in healthy people. Anyone considering a PET scan “just in case” should first speak to a GP or physician, who can suggest less expensive, targeted tests. We cover some of them separately, for example in our article about gastroscopy under sedation.

How should you interpret PET scan results?

A PET scan report includes SUV values, which indicate how intensely a particular area takes up the tracer. A high value does not automatically mean cancer, as the tracer also accumulates in areas of inflammation, healing wounds and active muscles. A low value does not rule out disease. The attending doctor should therefore discuss the result with you and compare it with CT scans, MRI scans, blood tests and previous PET scans. If you have the scan privately, bring the disc containing the images to your appointment, as the written report alone will not be sufficient for future comparisons.

How can you avoid overpaying for a PET scan?

• Compare several imaging centres. Prices for the same PET/CT scan with FDG can vary considerably.
• Make sure you know which scan is needed: PET/CT or PET/MRI, which tracer should be used and which area should be scanned. Prices for different options are not comparable.
• Ask what is included in the price: the report, a disc with the images and a consultation about the results.
• Check your health insurance and whether you can claim reimbursement.

„Ceny badania PET w Polsce zazwyczaj wahają się od 1500 do 3000 zł.”

memedic.pl, source

„Badanie PET/CT z FDG, 4500,00 zł”

nmedical.pl, source

„Skan całego ciała, [ 18 F]FDG, 7 600,00”

bioskaner.eu, 2025-09, source

„CO-307, Badanie FDG PET-MR-całego ciała- (technika PET/MR), 6500.00 zł”

sklep.co.bydgoszcz.pl, source

You can find more test prices in the health category and in our articles on the cost of a private colonoscopy and echocardiogram costs. Price details are available at pET scan (PET tomography).

The prices in this article come from public imaging centre price lists and articles, last updated: 5 October 2026. Each price has a source, date and verbatim quotation on the service page.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a whole-body PET scan cost?

Badanie PET/CT całego ciała z FDG kosztuje prywatnie zwykle PLN 3,950 ‑ 6,800. Cena zależy od placówki, techniki (PET/CT czy PET/MR) i rodzaju znacznika.

Can a PET scan detect cancer?

Badanie PET pokazuje miejsca o podwyższonym metabolizmie, co pomaga wykryć wiele nowotworów i ocenić, czy się rozprzestrzeniły. Wynik zawsze interpretuje lekarz razem z innymi badaniami, bo zwiększony metabolizm mają też stany zapalne.

Which cancers cannot be detected by a PET scan?

Badanie PET z FDG gorzej pokazuje nowotwory o niskim metabolizmie glukozy, na przykład część raków prostaty, oraz bardzo małe zmiany. Dlatego przy niektórych chorobach lekarz zleca PET z innym znacznikiem, na przykład PSMA, co podnosi cenę badania.

Do you need to fast before a PET scan?

Przed badaniem PET z FDG zwykle trzeba być na czczo przez kilka godzin i unikać wysiłku dzień wcześniej. Dokładne zalecenia, także dla osób z cukrzycą, podaje pracownia przy rejestracji.

Is a PET scan covered by the NFZ?

Tak, badanie PET/CT jest bezpłatne na NFZ, jeśli pacjent ma skierowanie i spełnia kryteria refundacji, najczęściej w diagnostyce i leczeniu nowotworów. Prywatnie za PET/CT płaci się zwykle PLN 3,950 ‑ 6,800.

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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