Medical treatments within the European Union are regarded as safe. Although rules and regulations differ between member states, European Union laws and standard are above local legislations. This ensures that health and safety standards even in the poorest member countries meet the EU standards. Poland, as a member of the European Union since 2004, adheres to strict EU health and safety regulations. EU citizens have the right to obtain a medical treatment in another member state, although some restrictions apply. Patients will usually be allowed to receive a treatment in another EU country if the treatment required is covered under their own national health system.

According to a Eurobarometer research, 4% of Europeans received medical treatment in another EU member country in 2006-2007. About 1% of public healthcare budgets, which equals to circa €10 billion per year, is spent on cross-border healthcare. Obtaining medical health in another member state is more frequent for the treatment of rare diseases and in border regions, as well as in areas with large numbers of tourists. Dentistry has become a popular healthcare area where EU citizens travel to another EU state to obtain specialist dental treatments.