A physiotherapist from Ukraine - diploma recognition and PWZFz

Oksana completed a physiotherapy degree at a university in Ukraine and worked in the profession for several years before moving to Poland. She found a practice that wants to hire her, but the owner asks: "Do you have a Polish licence to practise? Are you registered with the KIF?" Oksana has a diploma, but doesn't know whether it's recognised in Poland or where to start in order to legally work as a physiotherapist.

Hiring a physiotherapist with a foreign diploma is an increasingly common situation in Polish practices. In this article we explain the path step by step: from diploma recognition, through the physiotherapy licence number (PWZFz), to registration with the National Chamber of Physiotherapists (KIF) and the Register of Healthcare Entities (RPWDL) -- so that both the therapist and the employer are on the safe side.

Why a diploma alone isn't enough

In Poland, physiotherapy is a regulated profession -- governed by the Act of 25 September 2015 on the physiotherapy profession. To practise, having a diploma isn't enough; you need a physiotherapy licence number (PWZFz) granted by the National Council of Physiotherapists (the KIF's governing body).

Before a Ukrainian diploma can open the path to a PWZFz, it must be recognised in Poland. There are two routes, depending on the situation:

• Diploma recognition (nostryfikacja) -- carried out by a Polish university offering a physiotherapy programme; this is the procedure for confirming that a foreign diploma is equivalent to a Polish one.
• Recognition under special provisions / agreements -- separate rules apply in some cases.

Without recognised education, you cannot proceed to a PWZFz.

The path step by step

1. Diploma recognition (nostryfikacja) -- submit an application to a university that runs a physiotherapy programme; the university compares the study programme and may indicate curriculum differences to be made up.
2. Sworn translations -- the diploma, its supplement, and professional record documents translated by a sworn translator.
3. Polish language proficiency -- in a medical profession, communicating with patients and keeping records in Polish is essential.
4. Application for a PWZFz to the KIF -- once your education is recognised, you submit an application to the National Council of Physiotherapists.
5. Registration with the KIF -- obtaining a PWZFz comes with membership in the professional body (KIF).
6. Registration with the RPWDL (if setting up your own practice) -- only with a PWZFz can you register a professional practice.

Stage	Handled by	Result
Diploma recognition	University (physiotherapy programme)	Education recognised
PWZFz application	National Council of Physiotherapists (KIF)	Licence to practise
KIF registration	KIF	Membership in the professional body, liability insurance
RPWDL registration	Registering authority	Ability to run a practice

PWZFz -- what it is and why it's crucial

A PWZFz (physiotherapy licence number) is the formal authorisation to practise the profession, granted by the National Council of Physiotherapists. Without it, a person cannot provide physiotherapy services, even with a foreign diploma and years of experience.

For an employer, the employed physiotherapist's PWZFz is an essential condition -- employing someone without a PWZFz to provide services is a serious breach that will surface at any KIF or NFZ inspection.

The importance of Polish language proficiency

A physiotherapist must be able to communicate with patients and keep medical records in Polish. In practice this means that even with a recognised diploma, language can be a real barrier. It's worth ensuring:

• A level of Polish that allows taking a history, giving instructions, and obtaining informed consent.
• The ability to keep records in Polish (patient record, therapy plan, treatment log).

A special situation -- special legislation for Ukrainian citizens

In connection with the situation since 2022, special measures have been introduced for Ukrainian citizens in healthcare. The rules are subject to change and extension, so before starting the procedure always check the current legal status and the KIF's position -- some simplifications may apply only to specific situations or periods. Don't rely on outdated information; confirm the applicable rules directly with the KIF or the university.

Employer obligations when hiring

A practice hiring a physiotherapist from Ukraine should:

• Verify the PWZFz -- whether it's been granted and is active.
• Confirm KIF membership and coverage by liability insurance.
• Sort out legal residence and work status (separate regulations on foreign nationals).
• Issue a GDPR authorisation for processing patient data.
• Provide health and safety (BHP) training and onboarding into the practice's procedures.

[SP] Example -- Solo practice: Oksana first submits an application for diploma recognition at a Polish university. Once her education is recognised, she applies for a PWZFz with the KIF. Only once she has a PWZFz does she register her own practice with the RPWDL and can she take on patients on her own account.

[GR] Example -- Group practice: A practice wants to hire Oksana on an employment contract. Before letting her see patients, the owner verifies her PWZFz and KIF registration, checks the legality of her work and residence, and issues a GDPR authorisation. Until she obtains her PWZFz, Oksana cannot independently provide physiotherapy services.

Most common mistakes

• Allowing someone to work before they obtain a PWZFz -- the most common and most serious breach.
• Relying on the diploma alone -- without recognition and a PWZFz there is no basis to work.
• Skipping sworn translations -- the procedure stalls at the start.
• Ignoring the language issue -- an inability to keep records in Polish.
• Relying on outdated special provisions -- the rules are subject to change.

Frequently asked questions

Can a physiotherapist from Ukraine start working in a Polish practice immediately?

Not immediately. Their education must first be recognised (through diploma recognition or another available route), and then they must obtain a PWZFz from the National Council of Physiotherapists. Only with an active PWZFz can they provide physiotherapy services.

What is diploma recognition (nostryfikacja) and who carries it out?

Nostryfikacja is the procedure for confirming that a foreign diploma is equivalent to a Polish one, carried out by a Polish university that offers a physiotherapy programme. The university compares the study programme and may indicate curriculum differences that need to be made up.

Does the special legislation for Ukrainian citizens exempt them from the PWZFz requirement?

Special measures have been introduced for Ukrainian citizens in healthcare, but their scope and duration are subject to change. You shouldn't assume an automatic exemption from the requirements -- the current rules must be confirmed with the KIF before starting work.

What must an employer check before hiring?

The employer should verify an active PWZFz and KIF registration, confirm the legality of the foreign national's residence and work, issue a GDPR authorisation, and provide health and safety training. Employing someone without a PWZFz to provide services is a breach that's detected during an inspection.

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Related articles:
- RPWDL registration for physiotherapists -- instructions with examples
- Physiotherapist liability insurance -- what you need to know
- KIF inspection at your practice -- what to expect and how to prepare