Poland travel advisory today

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of the current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Poland set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact Polish Embassy in the UK.

Passport validity requirements

Poland follows Schengen area rules. Your passport must have:

• have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it might have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago, making it invalid for entry to the Schengen area

• an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area (the expiry date does not need to be within 10 years of the date of issue)

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

British-Polish dual nationals

If you are a British-Polish dual national, you must enter and exit Poland using a Polish passport or Polish national identity card. There are regular cases of Polish border guards allowing dual nationals to enter on their British passport, but refusing exit on the British passport.

Children born to Polish or British-Polish dual national parents in the UK are automatically granted Polish citizenship, regardless of the child’s place of birth. The requirement to exit Poland using Polish documentation will apply.

Find out how to apply for a Polish passport before travelling to Poland (in Polish). Check with the Polish Embassy in the UK if in doubt about your circumstances.

Visa requirements

You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Poland, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies if you travel:

• as a tourist
• to visit family or friends
• to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events
• for short-term studies or training

The requirements for working in Poland are different.

If you’re travelling to other Schengen countries as well, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day limit. Visits to Schengen countries in the 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days. If you overstay the 90-day visa-free limit, you may be banned from entering Schengen countries for up to 3 years.

At Polish border control, you may also need to:

• show a return or onward ticket
• prove that you have enough money for your stay

Staying longer than 90 days in a 180-day period

To stay longer, you must meet the Polish government’s entry requirements. Check which type of visa or work permit you need with the Polish Embassy in the UK.

If you are in Poland with a residence permit or long-stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit.

Read about entry processes if you live in Poland and read the Polish Border Guards guidance.

New Schengen entry requirements

The European Union’s (EU) new Entry/Exit System (EES) is now being implemented across the Schengen area.

This means that when you travel into the Schengen area for short stays, you may need to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo. There is no cost for EES registration.

On your first visit into a Schengen country, you may be asked to register your details at a special booth before proceeding to the immigration desk. Follow directions from your travel operator or the staff at your port of entry. You may also need to provide either your fingerprint or photo when you leave the Schengen area. Children aged 11 or younger will not have their fingerprints scanned but can be required to have their photo taken.

You do not need to take any action before you arrive at the border on entry to the Schengen area, but EES may take each passenger extra time to complete so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border and to allow more time for immigration controls when you depart the Schengen area. If you are departing the Schengen area by plane, allow extra time to reach your departure gate as EES checks may take place before boarding.

EES is replacing the previous system of manually stamping passports when visitors arrive in the Schengen area for short stays. You may be asked to input biometric details every time you enter or exit.

If you enter the Schengen area through the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or Eurostar at St Pancras International, any information will be taken at the border before you leave the UK.

Your digital EES record is valid for 3 years.

Read more information on the EU Entry/Exit System and to understand which countries are in the Schengen area.

If you are long-term resident in a Schengen country, you are exempt from EES in all Schengen countries. The full list of EES exemptions is on the EU’s official Travel Europe website.

If you believe you have been incorrectly entered into EES or your record of time spent in the Schengen area is incorrect, approach border officials when you next cross the Schengen border and request a correction. If you are exempt, carry documentation confirming your status. If you believe your time spent in the Schengen area has been recorded incorrectly, raise this with border officials and be prepared to provide supporting evidence if requested.

Land border crossings

Entering Poland from Ukraine

The main border crossing points to enter Poland from Ukraine are listed on the Ukrainian government website. Prepare for potential long delays at border crossings.

Access to within 15m of the Poland-Ukraine border is restricted. Observe this restriction at all times unless you’re at a designated border crossing point. Follow the instructions of Polish authorities if you are in this area.

If you have arrived in Poland from Ukraine and are in need of assistance, call +48 22 311 0000 or +44 1908 516 666 and select the option for ‘consular services for British nationals’. You can also send an enquiry using the web contact form.

Entering Poland from Belarus

FCDO advises against all travel to Belarus. Poland temporarily closed the Poland-Belarus border including rail crossings from 12 to 24 September 2025. The border is open but certain border checkpoints are closed. Border checkpoints may close or have additional restrictions imposed at short notice and other disruption is possible.

Access to parts of the Polish border with Belarus is restricted. The regulations, which came into force on 13 June 2024 was extended on 6 September 2025 for another 90 days, prohibits access to the border in specific areas controlled by the Polish Border Guard posts at Narewka, Białowieża, Dubicze Cerkiewne and Czeremcha. In some areas, access is restricted to within 200m of the border and in others to within 2km. See precise details of the restricted areas (in Polish).

You should check the Polish Border Guards guidance (in Polish), observe these regulations at all times and follow the instructions of the Polish authorities if you are in these areas.

Other Polish borders

From 7 July 2025, Polish border guards will implement controls at the German and Lithuanian borders for entry into Poland. Border checkpoints may close or impose restrictions at short notice and other disruption is possible. Check the Polish Border Guards guidance (in Polish) and follow the instructions of the Polish authorities if you are in these areas.

Border controls at Germany’s land borders

There are temporary border controls in place to travel into Germany. Check the entry requirements for Germany.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into and out of Poland. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking food and drink into Poland

You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries. There are some exceptions such as powdered baby milk, baby food and special foods or pet feed required for medical reasons.

Taking money into Poland

Declare cash or travellers cheques if the value is 10,000 euros or more. You will get a certified declaration to show you brought it in with you. If you do not, your money could be seized when you leave.

Some countries have imposed measures in response to the Ebola disease outbreak. These can include restrictions on entry and health screening measures for travellers having recently visited an affected country. If you are suspected of having symptoms, you may be subject to isolation, quarantine and/or travel restrictions. Contact the authorities of the country you are travelling to for more details.

The authorities of a country or territory decide who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from local authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS)

The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) is an electronic travel authorization (ETA) system. You will be required to apply online and pay for an ETIAS before you travel to any one of 30 European countries. Applications are not yet open. Apply only through the official EU website once the system is launched.

Dual citizens of Canada and participating countries

If you're a Canadian citizen but also a citizen of any of the participating countries, you will not be eligible to apply for an ETIAS. You must travel on your European passport. If you do not have a passport, or if you have an expired passport from the participating country of which you are also a citizen, you must apply for one or renew it before you travel.

If you are unsure whether you are a citizen of any of the participating countries, you must verify your status with the country's embassy or consulate in Canada before you travel, or you risk being denied entry to your destination.

If you are a Canadian with dual citizenship, you need to carry a valid Canadian passport to return to Canada by air.

Be cautious of fraudulent websites claiming to sell ETIAS authorizations.

Useful links

• Travelling to Europe
• Foreign representatives accredited to Canada
• Official ETIAS website – European Union
• Dual citizenship and ETIAS – European Union

Schengen area

Poland is a Schengen area country. Canadian citizens do not need a visa to travel to countries within the Schengen area. However, visa-free travel only applies to stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Stays are cumulative and include visits to any Schengen area country.

Member states may temporarily reintroduce controls at internal border crossings within the Schengen area. You may be required to pass through immigration controls when entering Poland, even if arriving from another Schengen area country. Verify if border controls are in effect before you travel to Poland.

If you plan to stay in the Schengen area for a longer period of time, you will need a visa. You must contact the high commission or embassy of the countries you are travelling to and obtain the appropriate visa(s) before your departure.

When you enter the Schengen area, the Entry/Exit System (EES) collects information about your trip as well as your facial image and fingerprints. You don’t need to take any action before you travel.

Useful links

• Schengen area
• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Travelling to Europe
• Entry/Exit System (EES) – European Union
• Temporary Reintroduction of Border Control – European Commission

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you're travelling with.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the date you expect to leave the Schengen area.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

You should also be aware that current systems used by some countries and travel companies may not recognize the “X” gender identifier. You may still be asked to provide your sex/gender information as either male or female when travelling.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics
• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports and other travel documents

Visas

Tourist visa: not required for stays up to 90 days*
Business visa: not required for stays up to 90 days*
Work visa: required
Student visa: required

* The 90-day period begins upon initial entry into any country of the Schengen area. Stays are cumulative and include visits to any Schengen area country within any 180-day period.

To stay longer than 90 days, Canadians must apply either for a Polish visa in Canada before arriving in Poland or for a temporary residence permit while in Poland and must have a valid reason for extending their stay, such as education or employment.

Useful links

• Extending your stay in Poland – Office for Foreigners
• Guide to temporary entry into Poland under CETA

Land border crossings and prohibited border areas

Polish authorities have shut down certain border crossings with Belarus and Russia (Kaliningrad) due to security concerns. If you intend to travel to Poland from Belarus or Russia, you must apply for a humanitarian reasons permit.

If you plan to cross from Poland into Belarus or Russia, only the following border crossings remain open to cars and buses:

• Belarus:
  • Brest/Terespol
• Russia:
  • Grzechotki/Mamonovo
  • Bezledy/Bagrationovsk

Access to border areas with Russia (Kaliningrad), Ukraine and Belarus is prohibited within a range of 15 m to 2 km, depending on the location. Follow these limitations at all times, except at designated border crossings. The prohibited areas are marked with signs in Polish.

For more information, contact the Polish Border Guard:

• Phone: +48 22 500 4068, +48 22 500 4568, or + 48 22 500 43 76
• Email: zdsc.kg@strazgraniczna.pl

Useful links

• Entry to Poland through external borders – Polish Border Guard
• Border crossing information – Polish national Customs Administration

Vehicles with Russian license plates

Since September 2023, Poland has enforced an entry ban on vehicles registered in Russia with nine or fewer seats. This restriction is currently in place at the border and reflects existing European Union sanctions against the Russian Federation.

Vehicles registered in Russia carrying Russian license plates will be refused entry into Poland regardless of the driver’s nationality.

Ban on the import of passenger cars registered in Russia – Polish Border Guards (in Polish)

Dual citizenship

Canadians who also hold Polish citizenship must enter and exit Poland using their Polish passport.

Other entry requirements

Customs officials may ask you to show them a return ticket or onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds for your stay.

Mandatory registration

Foreigners must register their stay in Poland within 48 hours of arrival if the stay is to exceed 14 days. Registration will normally be arranged by your hotel. If you are not staying in a hotel, your host, landlord or holder of the property deed of the residence must register your stay. You should confirm with your host that they have registered you when you arrive at your accommodations.

Children and travel

Learn about travelling with children.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).