The difference in pay between doctors in Poland and the UK is shocking. When we compare monthly and yearly earnings side by side, it’s clear that Polish doctors are severely underpaid for their hard work and expertise. Its no wonder they are all leaving!

Junior Doctors: Poland vs. the UK

Poland:

In Poland, junior doctors earn between 5,000 to 8,000 PLN a month before taxes. That adds up to:

Monthly: 5,000–8,000 PLN (about £950–£1,520 or €1,100–€1,770)
Yearly: 60,000–96,000 PLN (about £11,400–£18,240 or €13,200–€21,240)

For the long hours and stress these young doctors face, these wages are extremely low.

UK:

In the UK, junior doctors earn much more, with yearly salaries between £29,000 and £35,000, which works out to:

Monthly: £2,400–£2,900 (about 12,600–15,200 PLN or €2,750–€3,320)
Yearly: £29,000–£35,000 (about 152,000–186,000 PLN or €33,350–€40,300)

The pay difference is huge—UK junior doctors earn more than twice what their Polish colleagues make, even though both do similar work.

Specialists and Consultants: Poland vs. the UK

Poland:
Specialist doctors in Poland, even with their years of experience, earn only 10,000 to 20,000 PLN a month:

Monthly: 10,000–20,000 PLN (about £1,900–£3,800 or €2,200–€4,400)
Yearly: 120,000–240,000 PLN (about £22,800–£45,600 or €26,400–€52,800)

For such high-level professionals, these wages are incredibly low and unfair.

UK:
In the UK, specialists and consultants earn between £80,000 and £120,000 a year, which means:

Monthly: £6,700–£10,000 (about 35,000–52,000 PLN or €7,700–€11,500)
Yearly: £80,000–£120,000 (about 425,000–640,000 PLN or €92,000–€138,000)

UK specialists make over three times more than their Polish counterparts, and this difference is shocking.

Conclusion: A Massive Pay Gap

The numbers speak for themselves: Polish doctors are paid far less than doctors in the UK, even though they do the same hard work. Here’s a quick comparison:

Junior Doctor Monthly Salary: Poland: 5,000–8,000 PLN | UK: 12,600–15,200 PLN
Junior Doctor Yearly Salary: Poland: 60,000–96,000 PLN | UK: 152,000–186,000 PLN
Specialist Monthly Salary: Poland: 10,000–20,000 PLN | UK: 35,000–52,000 PLN
Specialist Yearly Salary: Poland: 120,000–240,000 PLN | UK: 425,000–640,000 PLN

It’s no wonder many Polish doctors are leaving the country to work abroad where they are paid what they deserve. This gap is not just about money—it’s about valuing the important work doctors do. Polish doctors deserve much better. As it stands, the cost of everyday living in Poland is comparable to the UK! This is why Poland currently faces a shortfall of between 20,000 and 50,000 doctors, reports PAP