£1 PLN 4.87
Today
6:54 pm
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Weather & climate
Weather in Poland
Poland
15°
Light drizzle
Thu
7°
15°
Fri
6°
14°
Sat
5°
17°
Sun
8°
17°
Mon
9°
13°
Tue
4°
15°
Wed
7°
17°
SPF level in Poland
Recommended: SPF 30
Spring
SPF 30
Summer
SPF 30
Autumn
SPF 15
Winter
SPF 15
Suncream is often more expensive in tourist zones. Pack your preferred SPF from the UK, especially for beach holidays. Always carry travel-size (100ml max) for hand luggage.
Before you go
Entry requirements for Poland
What British travellers need to know
You can stay in Poland and the Schengen area without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period as a tourist.
Your passport's date of issue must be less than 10 years old on the day you arrive in the Schengen area.
Your passport's expiry date must be at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area.
You may need to register biometric details like fingerprints and a photo at the border under the new Entry/Exit System.
You may need to show a return or onward ticket and prove you have enough money for your stay at border control.
Good to know:
You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into Poland, with exceptions for baby food and medical needs.
Declare cash or travellers cheques if the value is 10,000 euros or more when entering Poland.
Safety in Poland
Tips when travelling
Poland is tourist-friendly but has some key cultural and legal rules:
Always carry identification, and a printed copy of your passport's photo page is acceptable.
It is illegal to drink alcohol in public places, and you could be fined or taken to a clinic if found drunk.
Be alert to street crime and petty theft, especially in crowded tourist areas, train stations, and on train services.
Do not use unofficial taxis, as they often overcharge and have been linked to attacks, including sexual assaults.
In bars and clubs, check your bill carefully when paying by card to avoid being overcharged at the end of the night.
Bonus tips:
Taxis with a crest but no company name are not official.
Cyclists and walkers must wear a reflective item at night in non built-up areas or risk a fine.
More information
Driving in Poland
A UK driving license is valid in Poland. Carry your license, car registration, and insurance documents.
Side of road
right
Motorway speed limit
140 km/h
Urban speed limit
50 km/h
Alcohol limit
0.02%
Remember: Poland drives on the right. Take extra care at junctions if you normally drive on the left.
Health in Poland
As a UK resident, you can use a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for state healthcare in Poland. However, it's still advisable to have comprehensive travel insurance as GHIC/EHIC may not cover all medical costs or repatriation.
Generally, Poland has good standards of healthcare. Ensure you have adequate travel insurance and a GHIC/EHIC. Check with your doctor well in advance of travel for any necessary vaccinations and health advice.
Cards & payments
High in major cities and tourist areas, but less so in rural areas and smaller establishments. It's always good to carry some cash.
Visa
High
Mastercard
High
American Express
Medium
Lost card? Call Visa: +1-303-967-1094
Tipping in Poland
Tipping is appreciated in Poland for good service, but it is not always mandatory. While a service charge is sometimes included in restaurant bills, it's common to leave an additional tip for excellent service. Rounding up the bill is also a frequent practice.
Restaurant
10-15% for good service. Check the bill first to see if a service charge is already included.
Bar/Café
Rounding up the bill or leaving a small amount (5-10%)
Taxi
Rounding up the fare to the nearest PLN or adding 10% for good service
Hotel Porter
5-10 PLN per bag
Hotel Housekeeper
5-10 PLN per night, left at the end of your stay
Tour Guide
10-15% of the tour price for a good tour
Mobile & roaming
Since Brexit, the EU 'Roam Like At Home' regulation no longer applies to UK mobile users. Check with your mobile provider for roaming charges in Poland, as they may vary significantly. Consider purchasing a local SIM card for potentially cheaper data access.
Local SIM
10 GB for 50 PLN (~£10)
Network coverage
4G, 5G
Electrical in Poland
Voltage
230V / 50Hz
Plug types
Type C, Type E
WiFi & internet
Good in cities, hotels, cafes and restaurants. Can be less reliable in rural regions.
Average speed
50 Mbps
WiFi is readily available in most urban areas and tourist locations in Poland, including hotels, restaurants, and cafes. Many cities also offer free public WiFi hotspots. However, download speeds can vary depending on the location.
Emergency numbers
Universal emergency
112
Police
997
Ambulance
999
Fire
998
Save 112 in your phone before travelling.
Calling Poland
Country code
+48
To call a Warsaw number (e.g., 22 123 4567) from the UK, you would dial 00 48 22 123 4567.
The country code for Poland is 48. The exit code from the UK is 00.
Language in Poland
UK Embassy
British Embassy Warsaw
British Embassy, Aleje Róż 1, 00-556 Warsaw, Poland
Phone
Website
Recent updates
Entry requirements
6 days ago
Entry/Exit System (EES) Update
- The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) is now being implemented across the Schengen area and is replacing the previous system of manually stamping passports for short stays.
- The previous date for full EES operation (10 April 2026) has been removed from the advice.
Passport Validity
- The passport validity guidance is clearer: a passport issued over 10 years ago is now explicitly described as 'invalid for entry to the Schengen area'.
- The previous wording said such a passport 'may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago'.
Frequently asked questions
While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, AtoBeach cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies. We recommend verifying details with official sources before travelling.