Gastroscopy under general anaesthesia: 2026 price, duration and whether it is worth it

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

A private diagnostic gastroscopy most often costs PLN 460 (typically PLN 450 ‑ 550), according to 5 facility price lists collected by indekscen.pl. Anaesthesia for gastroscopy costs around PLN 550 extra. The examination itself usually takes 5 to 15 minutes, but with anaesthesia you also need to allow time for recovery and observation.

Gastroscopy is an examination of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum using a flexible endoscope inserted through the mouth. Many people fear the procedure more than the bill itself, so questions about anaesthesia are just as common as questions about price. We have collected prices from public endoscopy unit price lists: how much the examination costs without anaesthesia, the additional cost of sedation, the price of biopsy sampling and how these compare with colonoscopy prices. A doctor decides whether an examination is needed and which type is appropriate.

How much does a gastroscopy under general anaesthesia cost?

A private gastroscopy under general anaesthesia costs the price of the examination, usually PLN 450 ‑ 550, plus an anaesthesia fee, which is typically PLN 550 according to price lists. General anaesthesia, meaning a brief period of intravenous sedation, is administered by an anaesthetist and therefore charged separately. Some facilities quote an all-inclusive price, so when comparing offers, check whether the listed amount includes the anaesthetist.

Examination option	Typical price	What it includes
Gastroscopy without anaesthesia	PLN 450 ‑ 550	examination, anaesthetic throat spray, report
General anaesthesia surcharge	PLN 550	anaesthetist, observation after recovery
Examination of biopsy specimens (per specimen)	PLN 80 ‑ 165	microscopic assessment, result after several days
Colonoscopy without anaesthesia	PLN 590 ‑ 665	for comparison
Colonoscopy under general anaesthesia	around PLN 1,050	for comparison

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

How much does a private gastroscopy without anaesthesia cost?

A private gastroscopy without anaesthesia most often costs PLN 460, and according to 5 price lists, half of the offers fall within the PLN 450 ‑ 550 range. The least expensive examinations start at PLN 400, while the most expensive reach PLN 600. The price depends on the city and facility, as well as whether the doctor takes biopsies, for example for a Helicobacter pylori test.

The throat is normally numbed with a lidocaine spray, which reduces the gag reflex. Details and price sources are available at gastroscopy.

Is anaesthesia for gastroscopy worth it?

Anaesthesia for gastroscopy is worth considering if you are afraid of the examination, have a strong gag reflex or found your first gastroscopy very unpleasant. It costs around PLN 550 extra, roughly as much as the examination itself. In return, you sleep through the procedure and remain still, making it easier for the doctor to examine the stomach thoroughly.

Anaesthesia also has disadvantages:

1. Cost comparable to the price of the gastroscopy itself.
2. A longer stay at the facility, as you need time to recover after the examination.
3. You need someone to accompany you home, and you must not drive that day.
4. An anaesthetic consultation and sometimes additional tests, depending on your age and medical conditions.

A doctor or anaesthetist will assess whether anaesthesia is safe and appropriate for you.

How long does a gastroscopy take?

The gastroscopy itself usually takes 5 to 15 minutes, or slightly longer if biopsies are taken. Including preparation, a conversation with the doctor and receiving the result, you will spend around 30 minutes to an hour at the facility.

A gastroscopy under general anaesthesia takes the same amount of time, but the overall appointment is longer: the patient wakes within a few minutes after the examination and then usually remains under observation for 30 minutes to an hour. You should therefore allow at least a few hours for the appointment, including travel, and avoid scheduling anything important that day.

Do you receive gastroscopy results immediately?

The gastroscopy result, meaning a report of what the doctor saw, is usually provided immediately after the examination, often with photographs. Biopsy results take longer, usually several days to two weeks, because the material is assessed by a pathologist in a laboratory. histopathological examination usually costs PLN 80 ‑ 165 per specimen, and the price increases if several biopsies are taken. Discuss the result with the doctor who referred you for the examination.

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

Can you have a gastroscopy without a referral?

A private gastroscopy can usually be performed without a referral, although some facilities require a brief medical consultation beforehand. An NFZ gastroscopy requires a referral, and the waiting time depends on the facility. You can check the shortest waiting times using the NFZ search engine: https://terminyleczenia.nfz.gov.pl/.

For abdominal symptoms, a doctor will often begin with less expensive tests. A private abdominal ultrasound usually costs PLN 191 ‑ 250, while basic blood tests are covered in our article on a full blood count with differential.

What can a gastroscopy detect?

Gastroscopy allows the doctor to examine the lining of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum, revealing inflammation, erosions, ulcers, polyps, oesophageal varices and lesions that require a biopsy. During the examination, samples can also be taken for a Helicobacter pylori test and microscopic assessment. However, gastroscopy is not used to examine the larynx or large intestine: the larynx is examined by an ENT specialist, while the large intestine is examined by colonoscopy.

The best way to determine which examination is needed for particular symptoms is to consult a GP or gastroenterologist.

Gastroscopy or colonoscopy: how do their prices differ?

Gastroscopy is less expensive than colonoscopy: the median private price is PLN 460, while a colonoscopy without anaesthesia costs PLN 625. A colonoscopy takes longer, usually 15 to 40 minutes, and requires the bowel to be cleared beforehand. It is therefore more often performed under general anaesthesia, with the examination and anaesthesia costing around PLN 1,050 in total according to price lists. When a doctor orders both examinations, facilities may offer to perform them on the same day under a single anaesthetic, saving time and usually reducing the overall cost.

Transnasal gastroscopy: how is it different?

Transnasal gastroscopy uses a thinner endoscope inserted through the nose, which usually triggers the gag reflex less strongly than an examination through the mouth. Not every endoscopy unit offers it, and its price may differ from that of a conventional gastroscopy. We do not yet have a separate median for this method, so check the price directly with the facility.

How should you prepare for a gastroscopy and avoid overpaying?

You need to fast before a gastroscopy: this usually means no food for at least 6 to 8 hours and no drinks for several hours before the examination, in accordance with the facility’s instructions. Discuss any regular medication with your doctor beforehand. To avoid overpaying:

• Ask for the total price: the examination, anaesthesia, biopsies, Helicobacter pylori test and histopathological examination.
• Combine examinations if your doctor also orders a colonoscopy: having both under a single anaesthetic costs less than arranging them separately.
• Check your employer’s medical plan, as some plans cover gastroscopy.
• Compare NFZ waiting times, especially if the examination is not urgent.

Our figures are medians from several price lists, rather than the price of a single endoscopy unit, making it easy to assess whether an offer is inexpensive or expensive. You can find more examination prices in the health category, and a comparison of heart tests in our article on the cost of an echocardiogram.

„Gastroduodenoskopia | 600 PLN”

Endoklinika Szczecin, source

„Gastroskopia diagnostyczna od 550 zł”

kliniki.pl, source

„W dużych miastach, takich jak Warszawa, Kraków czy Wrocław, ceny mogą wynosić od 400 do 500 zł.”

doktora.pl, 2025, source

„Gastroskopia diagnostyczna, 400,00 zł”

KOLMED (Międzylesie, Warszawa), source

The prices in this article come from public endoscopy unit price lists and health articles. Each entry on the service page includes its source, date and a verbatim quotation.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a gastroscopy with colonoscopy under anaesthesia cost?

Gastroskopię i kolonoskopię często robi się w jednym znieczuleniu, a placówki sprzedają je w pakiecie. Osobno kolonoskopia w znieczuleniu ogólnym kosztuje około PLN 1,050, a gastroskopia PLN 460 plus dopłata za znieczulenie; pakiet bywa tańszy niż suma.

What should you avoid after a gastroscopy?

Po gastroskopii bez znieczulenia nie je się i nie pije, dopóki nie minie działanie sprayu znieczulającego gardło, zwykle około godziny. Po znieczuleniu ogólnym tego dnia nie prowadzi się samochodu, nie podpisuje ważnych dokumentów i nie pracuje przy maszynach; szczegółowe zalecenia daje placówka.

How much does a gastroscopy with biopsies cost?

Pobranie wycinków podnosi cenę gastroskopii, a ich ocena w laboratorium to osobny koszt: badanie histopatologiczne kosztuje zwykle PLN 80 ‑ 165 za bloczek. Placówki często podają cenę gastroskopii z biopsją jako osobną pozycję w cenniku.

Does a gastroscopy hurt?

Gastroskopia zwykle nie boli, ale bywa nieprzyjemna z powodu odruchu wymiotnego i uczucia rozpierania w żołądku. Dlatego część pacjentów wybiera znieczulenie, które kosztuje dodatkowo około PLN 550.

Where can you get an NFZ gastroscopy soonest?

Najkrótsze terminy gastroskopii na NFZ sprawdzisz w oficjalnej wyszukiwarce terminów leczenia, filtrując po województwie i świadczeniu. Na NFZ potrzebne jest skierowanie, prywatnie badanie kosztuje zwykle PLN 450 ‑ 550.

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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