Practical A–Z

Visa

Poland is an EU and Schengen member. Germans, Austrians, and Swiss do not need a visa and can stay indefinitely (as EU citizens, there is freedom of movement). For entry, the following is sufficient:

• ID card or passport — both valid. No visa, no entry card, no formalities.
• There are no border controls (Schengen area) — you simply cross the border as within Germany.

For non-EU citizens, Schengen rules apply: 90 days within 180 days visa-free for most nations.

Customs

Within the EU, there are no customs checks. The usual EU allowances for personal use apply (800 cigarettes, 10l spirits, etc.).

Polish Złoty (PLN)

Despite being an EU member, Poland has not adopted the Euro and will not do so in the foreseeable future. Payments are made in Złoty (PLN).

1 Złoty = 100 Groszy. Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 Groszy, 1, 2, 5 PLN. Notes: 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 PLN.

Exchange rate (benchmark 2025): 1 EUR ≈ 4.30 PLN / 1 PLN ≈ 0.23 EUR

Withdrawing money & paying

• Card payment: Works almost everywhere — even at kiosks, markets, and in Bar Mleczny. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted. Contactless payment (NFC) is standard.
• ATMs (Bankomat): Available everywhere. WARNING: Many ATMs (especially Euronet) offer "Dynamic Currency Conversion" — they ask if you want to withdraw in EUR. ALWAYS DECLINE and withdraw in PLN! The offered EUR rate is 5–10% worse.
• Cash: Useful for small shops, street vendors, and tips, but you can get by completely cashless in big cities.
• Exchange offices (Kantor): Found everywhere in cities. Good rate, no fees. DO NOT exchange at the airport or train station — the rate is significantly worse there. Kantory in the city center offer the best rates.

Medical Care

Poland has a good healthcare system. In major cities, there are modern hospitals and private clinics with international standards. With the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you are entitled to medical care under the same conditions as Polish insured persons.

Still recommended: A travel health insurance with repatriation — waiting times in the public system can be long, and private treatment is faster (and cheap in Poland: doctor visit from 150 PLN / 35€).

Vaccinations

No special vaccinations required. Refresh standard immunization (tetanus, diphtheria, polio). For stays in the Masurian Lake District or Białowieża Forest: Tick-borne encephalitis vaccination (TBE) recommended — ticks in eastern Poland increasingly transmit Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis.

Pharmacies

Apteka (pharmacies) are well-stocked and frequent. Many medications are cheaper in Poland than in Germany. In every city, there are 24-hour pharmacies (Apteka dyżurna). Green cross = pharmacy.

Tap Water

In major cities (Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław, Gdańsk), the tap water is drinkable — sometimes slightly chlorinated, but safe. In rural areas and older buildings: better to drink bottled water.

General Safety Situation

Poland is one of the safest countries in Europe. The crime rate is low, and violent crime against tourists is virtually unknown. You can move safely in Polish cities at any time of day or night — with the usual big-city caution.

What to watch out for?

• Pickpocketing: At usual hotspots (Kraków Rynek, Warsaw Old Town, Gdańsk Long Lane, public transport) — do not carry valuables openly
• Taxi scams: Only take official taxis (light sign on the roof, taximeter). Even better: Use Bolt or Uber — available in all major Polish cities and affordable
• Club scene: In Kraków and Warsaw, there are occasionally dubious bars that present inflated bills. Do not accept invitations from strangers on the street. Stay in well-known venues.
• Football: On match days (especially derbies), avoid certain areas — Polish hooligans are notorious. This usually does not affect tourists, but if in doubt, avoid the area around stadiums.

Emergency Numbers

EU Roaming

As an EU citizen, you can use your German phone in Poland without extra charges — thanks to the EU roaming regulation. Your data volume, minutes, and SMS apply as at home. No SIM card needed!

Local SIM Card

For those staying longer or needing a lot of data, buy a Polish prepaid SIM:

• Providers: Play, Orange, T-Mobile, Plus
• Price: 5–25 PLN (1–6€) for a SIM with 10–50 GB data
• Purchase: At any kiosk (Żabka, Relay), supermarket, or mobile phone shop. ID required!
• Network coverage: 4G/5G widely available in cities. In rural areas and the Masurian Lake District, occasional gaps.

WLAN

Free WLAN in practically all hotels, restaurants, cafés, and many public places. The speed is generally good — Poland has one of the highest internet speeds in Europe.

Power Sockets

Type C and E — same as in Germany! No adapter needed. Voltage: 230V, 50Hz.

Tips (Napiwek)

Tipping is customary in Poland but less ritualized than in the USA:

Important: If you pay by card, ask the waiter "Czy mogę dodać napiwek?" (Can I add a tip?) — often there is the option to round up the amount. Or leave the tip in cash on the table.

Shopping & Opening Hours

• Sunday rest: Since 2018, most shops and shopping centers are closed on Sundays (exceptions: 1st and last Sunday of the month, before Christmas). Restaurants, cafés, and gas station shops remain open.
• Żabka: Poland's ubiquitous convenience stores (green-yellow) — on every second corner, long opening hours (even Sunday!), snacks, drinks, basics
• Supermarkets: Biedronka (cheapest), Lidl, Kaufland, Auchan
• Amber: Poland's most popular souvenir. In Gdańsk, the largest selection and best prices. Check for authenticity — test with a UV lamp (real amber fluoresces)
• Ceramics from Bolesławiec: The famous blue-white ceramics from Silesia — hand-painted, dishwasher safe, a beautiful souvenir