The Ministry of Health signals that the dynamic increase in admission limits for medical studies is over. The academic year 2026/2027 may be lastwhere so many candidates are admitted to the medical course.
How have limits changed in recent years?
| Academic year | Number of places in medical studies | Growth compared to the previous year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020/2021 | 6 300 | – |
| 2021/2022 | 7 200 | +900 |
| 2022/2023 | 8 100 | +900 |
| 2023/2024 | 8 900 | +800 |
| 2024/2025 | 9 700 | +800 |
| 2025/2026 | 10 500 | +800 |
| 2026/2027 | approx. 9 200 – 10,000 (prognosis) | stability or slight decrease |
Current situation
In the academic year 2025/2026 the admission limit for medical studies was above 10 500 seats. In the coming year (2026/2027) limits are to remain at a similar, high level – estimated around 9 200 – 10,000 seats. However, since 2027/2028, the Ministry of Health has not planned to further increase the number of seats, and even considering their gradual reduction.
Deputy Minister for Health Katarzyna Kęcka stressed:
‘There is no need to further increase the admission limit for medical studies. We want to spend public funds rationally and that graduates have real employment and professional development opportunities."
Why are record limits running out?
The Ministry of Health considers that Poland approaching the expected level of staff security for doctors. According to the Ministry's analysis, in a few years' time, the medical staff deficit is expected to be largely complemented. At the same time, attention is paid to the growing problems:
- uneven distribution of doctors in the country (large regional disparities),
- quality of education with so many students,
- future employment opportunities for graduates.
What does that mean for seniors?
- Recruitment 2026 – still a very large number of places (most likely one of the last such comfortable recruitments).
- From 2027 – it will probably be harder to get into medicine.
It's an important signal for everyone who plans medical studies. The window of high availability of medical courses may just close.
