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Before you go to Poland: what to know

Must know

  • Poland refuses entry to Russian citizens on Schengen tourist visas, including visas issued by other states.
  • Currency is the zloty (PLN); exchange offices ("kantor") in town give fair rates, airports do not.
  • Drinking alcohol in public places is banned; police fine readily.
  • Only some Poland-Belarus crossings are open; check before driving.

Entry and visas

Poland is in the Schengen area. Non-EU visitors are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) on first entry: fingerprints and a facial photo, no passport stamps. Visa-free visitors may stay 90 days in any 180 across all Schengen states. ETIAS is not operating yet: its launch is now expected in 2027, so ignore sites selling "ETIAS" approvals.

Passport validity: Non-EU passports: valid at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen area and issued within the last 10 years.

At the border you may be asked for

  • EES registration at the first Schengen border: fingerprints and face photo (children under 12 give no fingerprints). Allow extra time at passport control.
  • Border guards may ask for a return ticket, accommodation proof, travel insurance and funds for your stay.
  • Your 90/180 days are counted across all Schengen states together; use the EU short-stay calculator to check.

Customs

  • From outside the EU: 200 cigarettes, 1 L spirits or 2 L fortified wine, 4 L wine, 16 L beer; other goods up to EUR 430 by air/sea (EUR 300 by land).
  • Personal imports of meat, milk and dairy products from non-EU countries are banned (small exceptions for infant food and medical needs).
  • Declare cash of EUR 10,000 or more (or equivalent) when entering or leaving the EU.
  • Prescription medicines: carry the prescription; narcotic or psychotropic medicines need a Schengen certificate (Article 75) or a doctor's letter.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: home-affairs.ec.europa.eu ↗, travel-europe.europa.eu ↗, home-affairs.ec.europa.eu ↗, home-affairs.ec.europa.eu ↗, taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu ↗, finance.ec.europa.eu ↗

Money

Cards are accepted almost everywhere. Cards are widely accepted.

Payment networks: Visa, Mastercard

Apple Pay — works · Google Pay — works

Where to exchange money

  • Pay by card or phone in PLN; accepted nearly everywhere.
  • Bank ATMs (PKO BP, Pekao, Santander, ING).
  • City "kantor" exchange offices; compare buy rates.

Where not to exchange

  • Euronet ATMs (fees and conversion).
  • Airport and main-station kantors.
  • Paying in euros.

ATMs: Use bank ATMs and choose PLN. Euronet machines are common in tourist areas and charge high fees.

Tipping: About 10% in restaurants for good service. Saying "dziękuję" (thank you) as you hand over money means "keep the change".

  • When a card terminal or ATM offers to charge you in your home currency, decline and pay in local currency: dynamic currency conversion adds roughly 3-10%.
  • Cards issued by Russian banks (Visa, Mastercard and Mir) do not work here because of sanctions; bring enough cash or a card from a non-Russian bank.
  • Contactless and BLIK are everywhere; cash is rarely needed.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: poland.travel ↗, gov.uk ↗, nbp.pl ↗

Rules and bans

Prohibited

  • Drinking alcohol in public places (streets, parks): fines.
  • Jaywalking: fines.
  • Drink-driving above 0.2 g/l: fines; above 0.5 g/l is a crime.
  • Riding public transport without a validated ticket: fines.
  • Warsaw low-emission zone (SCT): older cars banned from central Warsaw.
  • Drones need registration; no flying near airports, military sites or crowds.
  • Drug possession, even small amounts: criminal offence.
  • Photographing military sites and the Belarus border zone is forbidden.

Laws visitors break unknowingly

  • Carry ID.
  • Headlights must be on day and night.
  • Promoting totalitarian symbols (Nazi or communist) is illegal.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗, gov.pl ↗, poland.travel ↗

Culture and clothing

Religion: Predominantly Roman Catholic; religion matters to many people.

Clothing: Casual; modest dress in churches. Remove shoes when visiting homes.

Etiquette

  • Greet with "Dzień dobry".
  • Many shops close on Sundays (trade restrictions).
  • Men may offer flowers to hosts; odd numbers only.
  • Toast "Na zdrowie".

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: poland.travel ↗

Climate

Continental: cold snowy winters, warm summers, rain mostly in summer. Figures are Warsaw average highs/lows.

Month by month
  • January: Jan: 0/-5°C, cold, snow
  • February: Feb: 2/-4°C, cold
  • March: Mar: 7/-1°C, chilly
  • April: Apr: 14/3°C, mild
  • May: May: 19/8°C, pleasant
  • June: Jun: 22/11°C, warm
  • July: Jul: 24/13°C, warm, storms
  • August: Aug: 24/13°C, warm
  • September: Sep: 18/9°C, mild
  • October: Oct: 12/5°C, cool, golden
  • November: Nov: 6/1°C, grey
  • December: Dec: 2/-3°C, cold; Christmas markets

Best season: May-September; December for Kraków and Wrocław markets.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: imgw.pl ↗, poland.travel ↗

What to pack

  • Type E plug adapter (230 V)
  • Warm coat, hat and gloves Nov-Mar
  • Rain jacket in summer
  • Comfortable shoes

Do not bring / prohibited to import

  • Meat and dairy from outside the EU.
  • Drinking in public.
  • Drones near the border.

Practical

Plugs: Type E (Type C fits); 230 V, 50 Hz

Water: Tap water is generally safe; many locals prefer filtered or bottled.

Traffic: drives on the right

Mobile and eSIM: EU roaming: SIMs from any EU/EEA country work at home prices (fair-use limits). Ukrainian and Moldovan SIMs too since 1 Jan 2026. Swiss, UK, Serbian and other non-EU SIMs pay roaming; an eSIM data plan is cheaper.

Apps: Jakdojade, PKP Intercity, Bolt / Uber / FreeNow, mObywatel (for residents)

Internet: Good 4G/5G; limited near the eastern border.

Health: EU/EEA/Swiss and UK (GHIC) cardholders get state healthcare at local rates with their EHIC/GHIC. Others pay in full, so bring insurance. Pharmacies (green cross) handle minor issues.

Insurance: Schengen visa applicants must hold travel medical insurance of at least EUR 30,000 valid in all Schengen states. Everyone else: strongly advised.

Emergency: 112 (all emergencies); 999 ambulance, 997 police, 998 fire

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: europa.eu ↗, europa.eu ↗, digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu ↗, gov.uk ↗

Entry rules change. Before your trip, check the website of the embassy or immigration service of the country.