Healthcare systems in Poland and Germany: historical outline and
comparative analysis

Janusz Szulik; Jakub Świtalski; Katarzyna Wnuk; Iwona Wrześniewska-Wal; Janusz Opolski; Anna Augustynowicz

doi:10.5114/ms.2026.160794

eISSN: 2300-6722
ISSN: 1899-1874

Medical Studies/Studia Medyczne

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abstract:

Healthcare systems in Poland and Germany: historical outline and comparative analysis

Janusz Szulik

¹

,

Jakub Świtalski

²

,

Katarzyna Wnuk

^{1, 3}

,

Iwona Wrześniewska-Wal

¹

,

Janusz Opolski

⁴

,

Anna Augustynowicz

^{1, 5}

School of Public Health, Center of Postgraduate Medical Education of Warsaw, Poland
Department of Ethics and Medical Law, Center for the Humanities and Social Sciences in Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland
Department of Health Policy Programs, Department of Healthcare Services, Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Tariff System, Warsaw, Poland
Faculty of Engineering and Management, University of Technology and Arts in Applied Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
VIZJA University, Warsaw, Poland

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/ms.2026.160794

Online publish date: 2026/04/10

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In public debate in Poland, the experiences of other countries are often considered in an effort to optimize the healthcare system. One of the countries frequently mentioned in this context is Germany. The purpose of this article is to compare the German and Polish healthcare systems with special attention being paid to indicators related to the functioning

of the healthcare system as well as indicators of the population health status. Presentation of selected indicators was made, among others, on the basis of data available from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Conclusions can be drawn regarding clear differences in the organization of the healthcare systems in Poland and Germany. The vast majority of health status indicators, as well as indicators related to the functioning of the healthcare system, look better in Germany than in Poland.

keywords:

Healthcare systems in Poland and Germany: historical outline and comparative analysis

Janusz Szulik 1 , Jakub Świtalski 2 , Katarzyna Wnuk 1, 3 , Iwona Wrześniewska-Wal 1 , Janusz Opolski 4 , Anna Augustynowicz 1, 5

delivery of health care, quality of health care, social security, insurance

Janusz Szulik

¹

,

Jakub Świtalski

²

,

Katarzyna Wnuk

^{1, 3}

,

Iwona Wrześniewska-Wal

¹

,

Janusz Opolski

⁴

,

Anna Augustynowicz

^{1, 5}