Tourism — how to travel smart and safe from Poland

1. Documents — start with the basics

For Schengen countries (most of the EU plus Norway, Switzerland, Iceland) a valid Polish ID card is enough. For the UK from 2025 you need a passport plus the ETA online (~10 GBP). Egypt, Turkey, Tunisia — visa on arrival or e-visa online. Georgia — no visa for up to 12 months. USA — passport plus ESTA online (~21 USD), valid for 2 years.

Check your passport validity — many countries require at least 6 months of validity beyond your planned return date. Up-to-date entry requirements are listed on the Polish government site polakzagranica.gov.pl.

2. Insurance and health

Within the EU it is worth carrying the EHIC (in Polish: EKUZ) — issued free of charge by NFZ, it gives access to public healthcare in EU/EFTA. It does not, however, replace private travel insurance, which usually also covers medical transport home, hotel costs in case of hospitalisation, accident insurance and baggage.

Polish travel insurance policies typically cover medical costs, accident insurance, third-party liability and baggage — with various sums insured depending on the package. Some activities (extreme sports, skiing, diving) may require separate riders. Always check the General Terms (OWU) of the specific policy.

3. Money abroad

Multi-currency cards (Revolut, Wise) typically offer rates close to interbank ones and are convenient for holidays. Check ATM withdrawal fees — most banks have a monthly free withdrawal limit abroad, above which a fee applies.

• Take two cards from different banks — in case one gets blocked.
• Notify your bank about the trip (via app) — reduces the risk of transactions being auto-rejected as suspicious.
• Keep emergency cash in EUR/USD — in some countries cards do not work everywhere.
• Check daily withdrawal and transaction limits in your banking app.

4. Safety

The Polish MFA runs polakzagranica.gov.pl with up-to-date warnings and country information. Before going to less obvious destinations, it is worth checking the warnings.

Practical habits that genuinely reduce risk:

• Keep copies of your documents (passport scan, policy, ticket) in the cloud — e.g. emailed to yourself.
• Emergency number in the EU: 112. In other countries check the local number.
• The iPolak app (free, government) — quick registration of your stay with the Polish embassy.
• In crowded places (airports, stations) — zipped bag, phone in front pocket.

5. Planning and booking

For most destinations the optimal flight booking window is 6-8 weeks before departure. Hotels — typically 1-3 months ahead, except peak season (July-August) when earlier is better.

A comparison of offers from several travel agencies and booking services in one place — available in the current travel catalogue.

Frequently asked questions about travel from Poland

Is the EHIC card enough instead of travel insurance? +

No. The EHIC gives access to public healthcare in EU/EFTA — that is, on the same terms as locals (with co-payments and limits). It does not, however, cover medical transport back to Poland, hospitalisation in private clinics, accident insurance or baggage. EHIC and travel insurance complement each other, they do not replace each other.

Can I fly to most countries with a Polish ID card only? +

Only within the Schengen area (most of the EU plus Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein) and some EU countries outside Schengen. Otherwise — a passport. The UK from 2025 requires a passport and ETA online.

What documents does a child need to travel abroad? +

Within Schengen — own ID card or passport. Outside Schengen — own passport (from birth). If the child is travelling with only one parent or a third party, some countries require a notarised consent of the other parent. Check the requirements of the specific country.

Is paying by card safe abroad? +

Yes, if you use a contactless or chip-and-PIN card, do not share data in unsecured places and regularly check transactions in your banking app. In some countries (especially outside the EU) it is better to keep the card with you when paying in restaurants — portable terminals are standard.

What should I do if I lose my passport abroad? +

Contact the nearest Polish embassy or consulate — they will issue a temporary document allowing you to return to Poland. The iPolak app and document copies in the cloud significantly speed up the process. Reporting passport loss to local police is required to get a new one.