When is medical document translation required?

Translation is required when a medical document is not in Polish and you submit it in an official procedure in Poland.

Office and residence permit: medical certificates, medical history for health confirmation.

Employer: occupational health checks, fitness-for-work certificates.

NFZ (National Health Fund): registration, entitlement confirmation, medical record transfer.

Urząd komunikacyjny: orzeczenie lekarskie for prawa jazdy exchange categories C, D, E.

Labour office and ZUS: disability and incapacity certificates for benefits.

Court and guardianship: medical opinions in family cases.

Private clinic: a regular translation may suffice for a personal doctor visit — confirm in advance.

Which medical documents to translate

The package depends on the procedure — confirm with the office or employer what is required.

Orzeczenie lekarskie: medical opinion for prawa jazdy — full translation with categories and restrictions.

Zaświadczenie lekarskie: general medical certificate for work or study.

Wyniki badań: blood tests, urine tests, ultrasound, MRI, X-ray results with values and norms.

Historia choroby: medical history, hospital discharge summary.

Zaświadczenie o niepełnosprawności: disability certificate for ZUS and benefits.

Szczepienia: vaccination card for school or work.

Recepty: prescriptions — usually for personal use; translate for offices if required.

Sworn vs regular translation: requirements

Sworn translation: for offices, employers, NFZ, urząd komunikacyjny and courts — with Ministry of Justice register seal.

Regular translation: for personal doctor visits at private clinics — no official validity for urząd.

Full translation: all pages, diagnoses, test values, dates, doctor signatures and stamps — no summaries.

Medical terminology: diagnoses and drug names translated accurately — errors can change the meaning.

Patient data: names, date of birth, PESEL if present — must match dowód osobisty.

Validity: translation on current documents; expired certificates may be rejected.

Confidentiality: sworn translators observe professional secrecy.

Language pair: accredited source language → Polish — Ukrainian, Russian, English and others.

What happens if the translation is incorrect?

Office rejection: residence permit, licence exchange or NFZ registration delayed until sworn translation is provided.

Employment delay: employer will not approve fitness without correct translation.

Extra costs: re-translation, new certificate, courier delivery.

Diagnosis error risk: inaccurate medical terminology may lead to wrong decisions by offices or employers.

Step-by-step guide

Step 1. Confirm with the office, employer or NFZ whether sworn or regular translation is required.

Step 2. Check the validity of the medical document.

Step 3. Make quality scans of all pages.

Step 4. Send scans to LEGIX — they will confirm cost and turnaround (usually 24–48 hours).

Step 5. Receive sworn translation with seal — courier delivery across Poland.

Step 6. Before submission, verify diagnoses, dates and names against the original.

Step 7. Submit the original together with the sworn translation.

Cost and turnaround

Cost depends on document volume. A typical 1–2 page medical certificate starts from 161 PLN; test results and medical history priced by text volume. Exact pricing confirmed after reviewing scans — see price list.

Orzeczenie lekarskie for prawa jazdy usually fits the standard rate.

Standard sworn translation turnaround: 24–48 hours after order confirmation. Express available on request.

Pre-submission checklist: (1) sworn translation with MS register seal; (2) all pages and values translated; (3) diagnoses and dates match; (4) certificate still valid; (5) original and translation submitted together.