Poland Travel Information

Poland introduced the epidemic state of emergency Saturday, March 21. Until May 13, foreign nationals cannot enter Poland unless they have a valid residence or work permit. This period may be extended. This also means that transit for foreigners through Poland is not possible. For information on entry and coronavirus, see the entry Entry and Health below. According to Abbreviationfinder, POL stands for Poland in geography.

Entry and health

Coronavirus (covid-19): Poland has introduced epidemic state of emergency. Foreign nationals can no longer enter Poland unless they have a valid residence or work permit. EU and EEA citizens, who can document that they have work in Poland and will start work immediately after completing the quarantine, will also be able to enter. If you have a working relationship in Poland and are in doubt that this is a reason for entry, we recommend that your employer contact the Polish border authorities.

The entry restrictions apply initially until 13 May. The border closure means that transit through Poland is not possible. According to countryaah, Poland is one of countries starting with letter P.

International train and air services are canceled, at least until 9 May. The Polish airline LOT has announced that they will start their flights at the earliest on May 31. You can still leave Poland by car, provided the border of the country you travel into is open. Travel information about neighboring countries can be found on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ travel information pages.

Anyone arriving in Poland from abroad will be quarantined for two weeks. Everyone living in the same household as a person in the quarantine must sit in the quarantine for the same period.

Shops, malls and hotels are open, but with some restrictions for the protection of infection. Restaurants, night spots and all kinds of beauty care are closed for the time being. It is mandatory to wear a mask outside the home and children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Everyone, including family members, must walk at least two feet apart on the street, and apart from families, no more than two can walk together. Playgrounds in the cities are closed. The individual is responsible for keeping abreast of current rules and complying with them. Violations of the regulations can be fined.

  • Countryaah: Warsaw is the capital of Poland. Check to find information of population, geography, history, and economy about the capital city.

Cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Poland. The Ministry of Health follows the situation closely and continuously informs about the situation.

If you have symptoms such as fever, cough, or breathing problems, you should immediately:

  • Alert Sanitary Epidemiological Station (Gł¨®wny Inspectorate Sanitarny)or
  • Seek medical help at the infectious medicine department where medical personnel decide which procedures to follow.

Norwegians in Poland should keep abreast of the development of the coronavirus and follow the Ministry of Health’s recommendations in English.

In addition, you can contact the emergency telephone regarding the management of coronavirus infection on telephone number – 800 190 590.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against travel that is not strictly necessary for all countries. The Travel Council initially applied from March 14 to April 14, but was extended until April 3.

You can find more information and guidance from the Norwegian health authorities on the website of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. See also UD’s answers to frequently asked questions about travel and coronavirus.

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Please note that entry regulations may change. The Foreign Service is not responsible if the following information on entry regulations or visa requirements is changed at short notice. It is the responsibility of the traveler to ensure that travel documents are valid for entry and to familiarize themselves with the current entry rules for each country.

There is no visa requirement for Norwegians in Poland. Many countries in Europe have introduced border control where previously you could travel without a passport, this also applies in the Nordic countries. A valid passport as a travel document is required. Passports are also the only valid identification document for Norwegian citizens.

Permits must be sought for stays over three months. For more information on longer stays, contact the Polish Embassy in Oslo:

Olav Kyrres Plass 1
0244 Oslo
Tel: (0047) 24 110 850/851
Fax: (0047) 22 444 839
E-mail: mailto: oslo.info@msz.gov.pl
Embassy’s website

Or the Polish Immigration Directorate:

Koszykowa 16
00-564 Warsaw
Tel: 0048 22 601 74 02
Fax: 0048 22 601 74 13

Strona główna

You can also read more about where and how to register a stay of over three months in Poland. Visit the site for your area/city for more information on how to register.

Major Landmarks in Poland

Safety

There are not many security issues for travelers to Poland. Should unpleasant surprises nevertheless occur, it is important to be aware of the rights under. EEA agreement and having the necessary travel insurance. Travelers should be alert and take reasonable precautions. Read more about this under general advice for travelers.

Crime in Poland is generally at the same level as in other European countries. However, it is always wise to exercise caution, especially at train stations and other places where many people gather. Violent crime is rare, but particularly vulnerable places should be avoided, especially at night and night. It is important to be aware of where to store valuables such as money, passports, mobile phones etc. The hotel’s safe should be used.

As many as 97 percent of the population consider themselves Poles and 95 percent are Catholics. This ethnic homogeneity may in some places present challenges for people of different backgrounds. The Ombudsman for human rights, media and human rights organizations has reported an increase in cases of verbal and physical attacks against Muslims, Roma and people of African origin in Warsaw, Białystok, Gdansk and Wrocław in recent years.

Road safety in Poland is lower than we are used to in Norway. Many roads are of poor standard and road lighting is often lacking. The driving style is more aggressive than in Norway, and the accident rates are high. It is recommended for pedestrians to be extra vigilant at pedestrian crossings, as pedestrian stops are not common. Cyclists must use both front and rear lights at night.

Emergency telephones: emergency 112, police 997, fire 998, ambulance 999, roadside assistance 954, Euroalarm Copenhagen +45 701 52 500, SOS Copenhagen +45 701 05 050

The areas along the major rivers (Wisla and Odra), as well as the coastal area around Gdansk and Slupsk, can be hit by floods and floods, especially during heavy rainfall or when snowfall melts. There are also very severe storms that cause accidents and material damage. Snow avalanches can also occur in the mountains. It is important to follow directions and recommendations from local authorities.

Official Polish emergency telephone for tourists: (+ 48) 22 278 77 77 (from landline) or (+48) 608 599 999 (from mobile). You can also email: cc@pot.gov.pl or Skype: cc.poland.travel.

The emergency phone is serviced every day (except public holidays) between 7 p.m. 08: 00-18: 00 (from 08: 00-22: 00 between June 1 and September 30).

The consultants can assist tourists in emergencies, such as loss of documents, illness and traffic accidents, as well as with information on tourist attractions, culture, sports, restaurants and accommodation. The consultants speak Polish, English, German and Russian.

Remember travel insurance and European health insurance card.

Tap water is not recommended for drinking water by many. Local public hospitals and emergency rooms may have lower standards than in Scandinavia. The standard of services provided by doctors and dentists is good.

Practical information

The currency unit in Poland is zloty. Most credit cards can be used. ATMs are widespread in cities and towns.

Normal opening hours for banks: 09.00-17.00, Saturday until 13.00, shops: 09.00-19.00, Saturday until 14.00, shopping centers: 10.00-20.00/22.00, often also Sunday open, public offices: 08.00-16.00.

National Holidays: January 1, Easter Sunday, May 1, May 3, Corpus Christi (Thursday, ten days after Easter), August 15, November 1, November 11, November 1 and 2.

The mains supply 220 volts. Good GSM coverage in most of the country.

Norwegian, Ryanair and Wizzair offer daily, direct flights between several Polish and Norwegian cities.

The domestic flight offer as well as the railway network and large parts of the main road network are well developed. Long-distance buses run between most cities and tourist centers.

For information on tolls go to the Polish Customs website.

Taxi from Chopina airport to the center of Warsaw costs 30-50 zloty. Taxis are required to use a taximeter.

There is no time difference to Norway. According to allcitycodes, Poland area code is +48.

Forty-five percent of the population state that they speak at least one foreign language, and 25 percent speak English. People are generally friendly and helpful to foreigners.

Poles are more formal in appearance and speech than Norwegians, and the De form (Pan/Pani) is used consistently in formal contexts and among people you do not know. People greet and present themselves by name as in Norway. Friends greet and say goodbye by kissing each other three times on the cheek. It is not uncommon for older men to kiss women on the hand as greetings. You greet a good day (dzie¨½ dobry) when you walk into a room/shop/wardrobe/elevator/ waiting room and say goodbye (do widzenia) when you go out.

In the job context, the dress code is formal. Poles like to dress up in the opera, theater etc.

National pride, the country’s history and religion play a greater role in the consciousness of Poles than in most Norwegians.

Polish laws and regulations should not pose special challenges for a visiting Norwegian. Corruption occurred to a greater extent in the past, but here the attitudes in society have changed significantly.

For extended travel information to Poland read more on Poland.