On 16 April 2003, the Access Treaty was signed in Athens stating that Poland is to join the European Union on May 1, 2004. One of the conditions of the European Union membership, apart from satisfying the political and economic requirements, is that the Polish legal system be adjusted to that of the Union. European Union membership involves adopting the whole juridical heritage and participating in all the spheres, including health care.

A fundamental principle in the operation of the European Union, which has considerable impact on health policy, is free exchange of people and instant recognition of professional qualifications of medical practitioners. Aiming at optimum health care of the public receiving medical services, the European Union has developed specific legal regulations in the form of sector regulations referring to the following professions such as a physician, dentist, nurse, midwife, pharmacist, etc. Except for the principle of instant recognition of basic and specialist qualifications in medical professions, the sector regulations also determine the standards of practice which member-states can require of a medical practitioner from another member-state who intends to practice in those countries, either on a full-time basis or as a freelance practitioner.

The present paper discusses the legal conditions of medical practice by qualified professionals within the European Union according to the sector regulations.