Poland

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is ongoing. The security situation continues to be volatile. Exercise caution while travelling in the regions bordering Ukraine. 

Do not travel from Poland to Ukraine.

Recent drone activity in Polish airspace has resulted in temporary airspace closures and disruption to flight services. Monitor local media and follow the advice of local authorities.
Poland has introduced air traffic restrictions along its borders with Belarus and Ukraine until 9 December 2025.

Australian citizens can enter Poland from Ukraine by road, train or foot. Vehicles are subject to ownership and registration checks. There may be delays at border crossings. You can check border wait times at the State Customs Service of Ukraine website.

You must have a valid Australian passport when crossing the border into Poland. You'll be subject to a passport and security check. 

More information:

• Ukraine travel advice

Violent crime is rare in Poland, but petty crime is common.

Petty crime

Muggings, carjackings and theft from vehicles happen in large cities, including Warsaw.

Take care in the tourist areas of large cities. Pickpocketing is common. Thieves often work in small groups.

Thieves target central railway stations at:

• Gdansk
• Gdynia
• Sopot
• Warsaw
• Krakow

Thieves can target passengers on:

• long-distance trains and buses
• public transport between the airport and central Warsaw

Watch your belongings:

• near hotels
• at markets
• at ATMs and currency exchange bureaus
• regularly check your bank statement. Report any suspicious items to your bank.
• on public transport, including trams and trains

Scams

There's an increasing number of reports of travellers being scammed with drink spiking and credit card overcharging in venues frequented by tourists, particularly those that entice you in with special deals. People have been lured in and overcharged for drinks on credit cards while under the influence.

If you're a victim, report the incident to the police and contact your bank immediately.

Drink spiking

Drink spiking can happen anywhere. Be alert to the potential risks, and don't leave food or drinks unattended. Pay attention when your drinks are being mixed. If you feel any symptoms, tell your friends immediately. Ask someone you trust and know well to take you to a safe place. If a friend shows any of these symptoms, don't leave them alone. You may need to seek medical care.

Methanol poisoning

Locals and foreigners, including Australians, have died or become seriously ill from poisoned drinks overseas. Methanol is highly toxic. As little as one shot can be fatal. Methanol can be added or accidentally created during poor quality alcohol distillation and production. Protect yourself by making smart drink choices. Choose branded beers, ciders, wines and premixed cocktails in sealed bottles and cans. Get urgent medical help if you suspect you’ve been poisoned.

More information:

• Partying safely while overseas

Cyber security

You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you're connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth. 

Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media. 

More information:  

• Cyber security when travelling overseas 

Kidnapping 

Kidnapping can happen anywhere, anytime, including in destinations that are typically at lower risk.   

The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it doesn't make payments or concessions to kidnappers. 

More information:

• Kidnapping

Public protests and events can draw large groups of people. Avoid protests and large public gatherings, as they may turn violent. Monitor local media and follow instructions of local authorities.

More information:

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

Terrorist attacks could occur anywhere and at any time. Be alert to possible threats, especially in public places. Terrorists may target tourist areas or other places frequented by foreigners and where large crowds may gather.

Possible targets include:

• places of worship or religious holidays
• hotels, clubs, restaurants and cafes
• markets and shopping malls
• outdoor recreation events, including festivals, concerts, and sporting venues
• public transport, airports and railway hubs

To stay safe:

• report suspicious activities or items to the police
• check the media for new threats
• take official warnings seriously
• follow the instructions of local authorities

If there’s an attack, leave the area as soon as it's safe to do so.

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

More information:

• Terrorism

Heavy rain can extensive flooding in southern Poland. Before you travel, check road traffic information (in Polish) and transport services for updates. 

Poland can experience very low temperatures in the winter. Take care in snow and ice conditions. 

In the cities, roads are quickly cleared of snow, but black ice is hazardous. Snow can block highways and roads in rural areas for extended periods.

Heavy snowfalls can disrupt train travel.

If there's flooding or severe weather:

• follow the advice of local authorities
• monitor the media and other local information sources

Register with the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System to receive alerts on major disasters.

Same-sex relationships are legal, but same-sex marriages and civil partnerships aren't recognised under Polish law. The social acceptance of LGBTQIA+ people is not as widespread as in Australia. Individuals have experienced harassment. Public displays of affection may attract unwanted attention.  

More information: 

• Advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers

Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. 

Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.

Confirm:

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition. 

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least eight weeks before you leave.

If you have immediate concerns for your welfare or the welfare of another Australian call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.

More information:

• General health advice
• Healthy holiday tips

Not all medications available over the counter or by prescription in Australia are available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Poland. Take enough legal medication for your trip.

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating: 

• what the medication is
• your required dosage
• that it's for personal use 

More information:

• Medication

Air pollution

Air pollution levels can be very high.

Get medical advice if you have a pre-existing heart or lung condition.

Tick-borne encephalitis

Tick-borne encephalitis is a risk.

Ticks are common in both urban and country areas. They're active year-round, especially from spring to autumn.

Regularly check your body for ticks during and after visits to parks, gardens and forest areas.

If a tick bites you:

• remove it from your body as soon as possible
• make sure you remove the whole tick
• monitor the site for any signs of infection

More information:

• Tick bite prevention 

Measles

Measles cases can routinely occur in Poland, which is currently experiencing increased measles activity. Make sure your vaccinations are up-to-date before you travel.

More information:

• Measles immunisation service
• Infectious diseases 

Public hospitals are of a reasonable standard in large cities. Services are limited in rural and border regions.

Most doctors and hospitals will need payment up-front or evidence of medical insurance before treating you, even in an emergency. Don't presume you're covered for medical costs if you're a dual national. Check with the Polish Social Insurance (ZUS).

If you're seriously ill or injured, you'll need medical evacuation to a place with better facilities. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

When reporting a crime to the police, it's a requirement for a sworn 'approved' translator to be present regardless of how fluent the officer is in English. You may have to wait for a translator to arrive.

Drugs

Penalties for drug offences are severe. They include mandatory prison sentences.

More information:

• Carrying or using drugs

Drinking laws

There are strict alcohol laws in Poland. 

If you drink and drive, you face up to five years in jail and substantial fines. The blood alcohol limit is 0.02%. Your car could also be impounded. Drink drivers involved in accidents face up to 16 years in jail and significant fines.

It's illegal to be drunk in public, including parks and picnic areas. You may be arrested or taken to a facility to sober up. Expect to pay for the cost of your stay.

Surrogacy 

Poland has no specific surrogacy laws in place. Seek independent legal advice. 

The Australian Embassy can't provide:

• legal advice about surrogacy
• information on clinics

More information:

• Going overseas for international surrogacy
• Going overseas to adopt a child

Other laws

It's illegal to take photos of some buildings.

Look for signs on buildings that forbid photos. If you're not sure, check with local authorities.

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

More information:

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

Poland doesn't recognise dual nationality.

Under Polish law, Australian-Polish dual nationals must enter and exit Poland using their Polish passport or Polish national identity card (only within the Schengen zone). 

If you're a dual national, this may limit the terms of consular services we can provide if you're arrested or detained.

More information:

• Dual nationals

Visas

Poland is part of the Schengen area, meaning you can enter without a visa in some cases.

In other situations, such as working, studying or staying long-term, you'll need a visa.

Border officials may ask you to show them an onward ticket.

Carry your passport when crossing borders, including within the Schengen area.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Poland for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.

Ensure that you meet all entry and exit conditions.

Border measures

You cannot enter Poland via the land borders from Belarus and Russia (Kaliningrad), except in limited circumstances.

Temporary border checks have been in place at all German land entry borders.

Temporary border checks entering Poland from Lithuania are in place. Make sure you:

• carry your passport when crossing borders, including within the Schengen area, and
• monitor border conditions by checking local information and directly with transport providers.

Poland reopened its land border with Belarus to road and rail traffic, but only in limited circumstances. Refer to Polish Border Guards guidance (in Polish) for more information.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Poland for the latest details on entry requirements before you travel.

Border with Ukraine

Do not travel from Poland to Ukraine.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is ongoing. Heavy fighting is occurring in parts of eastern and southern Ukraine. Missile strikes and attacks are ongoing in some locations across the country, including in major cities. Exercise caution while travelling in the regions bordering Ukraine. The security situation continues to be volatile. 

If, despite our advice, you travel by road from Ukraine to Poland, you may face additional security measures when crossing the border. See 'Safety' section above and the Ukraine travel advice for more information.

On 12 October, the new European Union's (EU) European Entry/Exit System (EES) for registering all non-EU nationals, including Australians, travelling in or out of the Schengen area, starts.

European countries using the EES will gradually introduce the system at their external borders. Data collection will be introduced at border crossing points with full implementation by 10 April 2026.

After it is fully implemented, EES registration will replace the current system of manually stamping passports. 

The registration process should only take a few minutes but there may be longer border queues when the new system starts.

When travelling into and out of the Schengen area, for short stays, you may need to 

• have your fingerprints and photo taken
• answer Schengen Border Code questions

This creates a digital record that registers your biometric details.

If you revisit the Schengen area within 3 years of creating your digital record, you'll only need to provide either your fingerprint or photograph at the border on entry and exit.

If you frequently travel to Schengen areas for work and/or leisure purposes, you must ensure that your total stay in the Schengen area is no more than 90 days in every 180 days. Be aware of immigration penalties and enforcement for exceeding the limit in any individual country you plan to travel to or through.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Before you travel, contact the nearest embassy or consulate for details on entry requirements.

More information:

• Visas and entry requirements in Europe and the Schengen Area

If you're staying in private accommodation, you must register with the local registration office.

You'll need proof of registration if you apply for a visa extension.

Validity

Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You could end up stranded if your passport isn't valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service.
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.

Passport with 'X' gender identifier 

Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can't guarantee that a passport showing an 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers. 

More information:  

• LGBTQIA+ travellers 

Poland's currency is the Zloty (PLN).

You can easily change all major currencies.

If you're travelling between Poland and any non-EU country, declare currency equivalent to 10,000 euro or more. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.

You'll be fined if you don't declare currency or give incorrect information.

You should check with local authorities in the countries you are leaving, entering or passing through whether you must declare higher amounts of currency.

Carry your passport when crossing borders, even within the Schengen area, and be prepared to show it to authorities at any time.

If you travel by road or train, allow extra time for disruptions or delays.

Be cautious while travelling in regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. Access is restricted up to 2km from the border in some areas. Abide by any regulations at all times and follow the advice of the Polish authorities.

Driving permit

You can drive in Poland for up to 6 months. You must carry both your Australian driver's licence (digital driver’s licences may not be accepted) and an International Driving Permit (IDP). 

Get your IDP before you leave Australia. 

Driving in Poland using only your Australian driver’s licence without the IDP is considered a serious offence. You may be subject to arrest or detention if you do not have an IDP.

You must get a Polish licence if you want to drive for longer than 6 months. Ensure your driver's licence is current.

Road travel

There is a high rate of motor vehicle accidents in Poland. The main causes of accidents are failure to give way, speeding and drink driving.

Stay below the legal blood alcohol limit of 0.02%.

Severe weather in winter can make driving more dangerous. Some roads are closed in winter.

If you drive in winter, use winter tyres and carry chains.

By law, you must always have your headlights on when driving.

Children shorter than 150cm must use a safety seat. Check with your car rental company or the police.

Tolls

The process of paying road tolls varies across the country.

More information:

• Toll operator website.
• Driving or riding

Taxis

Only use official taxis. They have the name and number of the taxi company on the door and on top of the taxi, next to the light. They'll also show a rate card on the vehicle window.

Taxis with a crest but no company name are not official taxis.

Unregulated taxis can overcharge passengers. There have been reports of attacks against passengers, including sexual assaults, in both unregulated taxis and cars booked using ride-sharing apps.

Pre-book taxis using a reputable taxi company or app with English language option. You can also ask staff at hotels, hostels or tourist areas to book you an official taxi.

Air travel

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check Poland's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

More information:

• Air travel

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider
• employer
• airline

Fire and rescue services

Call 112.

Medical emergencies

Call 112.

Police

Call 997.

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

If you need consular assistance, contact the Australian Embassy in Warsaw.

Australian Embassy, Warsaw

Rondo ONZ 1
8th floor
00-124 Warsaw, Poland

Phone: +48 22 521 3444
Website: poland.embassy.gov.au
Email: ambasada.australia@dfat.gov.au
Facebook: Australia in Poland, Czech Republic and Lithuania
X: @AusAmbPoland

Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia