Indications to extend palliative care have been under debate for many years. Defining the criteria for admission to palliative care is a problem not only in Poland, similar discussions take place also in other countries. The following study presents a position of the national consultant for palliative medicine concerning the indications for palliative care. The primary criterion for admission should be the intensity of symptoms of an incurable disease. Patients with cancer diseases are entitled to care offered by the palliative care units from the moment the pain appears. The range of care is defined by the doctor employed in such a unit. The place of treatment of patients with non-cancer diseases should be determined by a specialist of palliative medicine together with a specialist dealing with a given disease.