Poland travel advice

Travel Summary

• There are confirmed human cases of the H1N1 virus (Swine Flu) in Poland (including some human to human transmission). The incidence of Swine Flu in Poland is still relatively low. There has been an increase in cases in recent weeks but with only mild symptoms and quick recovery. The Polish Government continues implementation of contingency plans. There are no restrictions on travel nor any other special measures in place in Poland. The World Health Organisation (WHO) Pandemic Threat Alert Phase has been raised to Level 6. The WHO website at: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html has further details. You should monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/swine-flu. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk.
  
  
• If you intend to travel by train on popular routes such as Warsaw-Moscow you will also need to obtain the appropriate transit visa for Belarus before travelling. See Travel Advice for Moldova and the Entry Requirements section of this advice for more details
  
  
• There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public places, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• There are risks of robbery on rail and bus journeys and driving can be hazardous. See the Local Travel section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• Most visits to Poland are trouble-free. 92 British nationals required consular assistance in Poland in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (24 cases); hospitalisations (15 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (41 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (80 cases). If you need to contact the emergency services in Poland call 112.
  
  
• Holders of dual Polish and British nationality should note that we may only be able to offer them a limited consular service.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.
  

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public places, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

For further information see Terrorism Abroad.

Crime

Violent crime is rare. You should be aware of street crime and pick pockets.

Take particular care to safeguard your passport and credit/ATM cards. You are advised not to lose sight of your credit cards during transactions.

A few tourists have been the target of a scam where people claiming to be plain-clothed policemen come to their aid, usually when another person has stopped them to ask for help or directions. The "policemen" then ask to see the tourists' ID and credit cards and to be given their PIN numbers.

Where possible, avoid walking alone late at night in dark or poorly lit streets. There have been isolated incidents of muggings in towns popular with tourists. Busy streets, tourist sites, areas near main hotels, money exchange facilities, ATM machines and public transport are also popular with thieves.

There is a serious risk of robbery at main rail stations and on all train services, especially on overnight sleepers. You are most at risk while boarding and leaving trains.

There have been problems in Warsaw, particularly at the airport involving overcharging by non-regulated taxi drivers. You should use official taxis, which have the name and telephone number of the taxi company on the side of the door and on the top of the taxi (beside the occupied/unoccupied light). They will also show a rate card on the window of the vehicle. Taxis with a crest but no company name are not officially registered taxis.

Theft of and from vehicles is common so do not leave documents or money in your vehicle. There have been cases of vehicles with foreign number plates being stopped by gangs posing as policemen, particularly in rural and tourist areas such as the Polish lake district. If you are flagged down, you should exercise caution, remain in your vehicle and ask to see identification.

Do not leave drinks or food unattended, or accept drinks from strangers. There have been a small number of reports of drinks being spiked and visitors having their valuables stolen whilst intoxicated.

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

Political Situation

Poland Country Profile

Local Travel

Public transport tickets must be punched before travelling. Tickets must be validated at the start of the journey, at the yellow machines at the entrance to the metro stations or on board buses and trams. You will be fined on the spot if you are travelling with an invalid ticket, usually 120zl (around £30). Tickets can be bought at most newspaper stands and kiosks with a sign reading “Bilety”.

Road Travel

Poland is a major east-west transit route for heavy vehicles. If you plan to hire a car, you should note that driving on Polish roads can be hazardous. There are few dual carriageways and even main roads between major towns and cities can be narrow and are often poorly surfaced. Streetlights, even in major cities, are weak. You must drive with your headlights on at all times. If you can, you should avoid driving a right-hand drive vehicle alone for long distances or driving long distances at night. Local driving standards are poor: speed limits, traffic lights and road signs are often ignored and drivers rarely indicate before manoeuvring. Slow moving agricultural vehicles (and horse dawn vehicles) are common in rural areas, even on main roads.

In 2007 there were 5,583 road deaths in Poland (source: DfT). This equates to 14.6 road deaths per 100,000 of population and compares to the UK average of 5.0 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2007.

According to EU law, driving licences issued by any EU member state are mutually recognised in other EU member states. Article 94 of the Act on Road Transport (Polish law) states that a foreigner who has a valid driving licence issued by an EU Member State may drive in Poland. If you are a resident of Poland and wish to change your driving licence for a Polish licence you may do so but there is no requirement to do so.

You must carry original vehicle-registration papers, ownership documents and insurance papers at all times. This is a legal requirement. They will be asked for if you are stopped by the police and, in particular, when crossing borders. This also applies to rental vehicles. If you do not have these papers when stopped by the police they have the right to impound your vehicle and charge you for this.

There is a zero tolerance for drink driving in Poland. If you drive and have been drinking (even 1 unit of alcohol) you can be charged. If you break Polish Driving Regulations you should be prepared to pay on the spot a fine in cash in Polish currency to the Police. Foreigners who are settled in Poland and have a permanent address may be fined with a credit ticket that can be paid later.

Seat belts must be used in both front and back seats.

Using a mobile phone while driving (unless “hands free”) is banned.

For further information see Driving Abroad.

Air Travel

The revised EU-wide security measures that came into effect for all passengers departing from UK airports in November 2006 are also being implemented in Poland. For more details about this see Airline Security.

Local laws and customs

Polish police take a strict approach to public drunkenness and if found to be drunk in a public place you may be take to a drying out clinic where a doctor or nurse will medically assess you. You will not be released until you have sobered up and this may necessitate an overnight stay. You will be required to pay for the cost of the stay.

Jay walking is an offence and if caught by the police you will be fined.

For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.

Entry requirements

Visas

British citizens visiting Poland do not require visas. Other categories of British passport holder such BN(O)s and BOCs do require visas and should check the regulations with the Consulate General of the Polish Embassy in London. There are no restrictions on British nationals working in Poland.

Passport validity
UK passport holders can use their passports to visit Poland up to the date they expire.

Dual nationals

Under Polish law, a Polish passport holder must be treated as a Polish national while in Poland, even if he or she holds another country’s passport. The Polish authorities, therefore, require dual Polish/British nationals to enter and exit Poland on a Polish passport. Check with the Polish Embassy in London if in doubt.

Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter or leave the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. They may want to see birth certificates, a letter of consent from the other parent and some evidence as to your responsibility for the child. Polish authorities do not normally require such evidence, but if you have concerns please check with the Consulate General of the Polish Embassy in London.

Please note that you require a visa to enter or transit Belarus. This includes anyone travelling by train on the Warsaw-Moscow route.

Health

As a British national, you can gain access to emergency medical treatment in Poland. In general, medical facilities in Poland are of an equivalent standard to those in the UK. Private medical facilities are comparatively inexpensive and of a good standard. Polish doctors and nurses are well qualified but English is not always widely spoken and UK patients may face communication difficulties.

The Form E111 is no longer valid. You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Polish nationals. You will not be covered for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. For more general information see EHIC.

Tick-borne encephalitis is common to Poland, especially if you are planning to visit forested areas in the summer months.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 19,000 adults aged 15 or over in Poland were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.1% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Poland and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health.

A (H1N1) - Swine Flu

There are confirmed human cases of the H1N1 virus (swine flu) in Poland (including some human to human transmission). The incidence of Swine Flu in Poland is still relatively low. There has been an increase in cases in recent weeks but with only mild symptoms and quick recovery. The Polish Government continues implementation of contingency plans. The World Health Organisation (WHO) Pandemic Threat Alert Phase has been raised to Level 6. The WHO website at: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html has further details. You should monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/swine-flu. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk.

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

The Polish Government has previously confirmed the presence of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) wildfowl in several locations in northern and north western Poland. The Police authorities introduced precautionary measures in the affected areas. No human infections or deaths have been reported.

The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low. As a precaution you should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure that poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.

You should read this advice in conjunction with Avian and Pandemic Influenza, which gives more detailed advice and information.

General

Insurance

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. See Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is How We Can Help.

Dual nationals

If you are a dual national of Poland and the UK and are arrested or detained in Poland, you will be deemed to be Polish by the Polish authorities. You will have the same rights as any other Polish citizen in these circumstances (including the right to legal representation), however the British Embassy may only be able to offer you limited consular assistance.

Consular registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

Passports

If a passport is lost in Poland, replacement and emergency passport facilities are available at the Embassy in Warsaw (00 48 22 311 0000). Passport facilities are not available at the Consulates outside of Warsaw, which are headed by Honorary Consuls.

Customs Regulations

Travellers entering the UK from European Union countries do not normally pay any UK tax or duty on excise goods they have bought tax and duty paid in EU countries for own use. But there are special rules for cigarettes and some other tobacco products from some EU countries.

The UK is maintaining limits on the amount of cigarettes and some tobacco products that travellers are able to bring in to the UK for own use from nine European Union Member States (including Poland), without paying UK duty.

The limits are:

Estonia - 200 cigarettes or 250g of smoking tobacco.

Bulgaria, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia - 200 cigarettes.

Anyone who is carrying more than the limits should pay UK duty on those goods by entering the Customs red channel or by using the red point telephone. If travellers enter the Customs blue channel with more than the limits, then all of their tobacco may be seized.

Money

The majority of Polish businesses, hotels and banks do not recognise Scottish bank notes and you will face difficulties in trying to change money.

You might find it difficult to obtain money from some ATM machines using Maestro and Visa cards due to difficulties in reading the card. Polish banks are trying to sort out the issue but it has yet to be resolved.

New legislation on the controls of cash entering or leaving the EU will apply in all Member States from 15 June 2007. Any person entering or leaving the EU will have to declare the cash that they are carrying if this amounts to 10,000 euros or more; this includes cheques, travellers’ cheques, money orders, etc. This will not apply to anyone travelling via the EU to a non-EU country, as long as the original journey started outside of the EU nor to those travelling within the EU.