Visiting Poland
Poland is part of the Schengen area but uses the złoty, not the euro. Days you spend there count towards your Schengen total.
What you need, by passport
- US passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
- UK passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
- Irish passportNo visa or time limit as an EU citizenCleared
- Canadian passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
- Australian passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
- New Zealand passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
Quick answers
Do I need a visa to visit Poland?
Not for a short visit on a US, UK, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand passport. You can stay up to 90 days in any 180 across the whole Schengen area. Irish citizens can live and work there with no time limit.
Is Poland in the Schengen area?
Yes, since 21 December 2007. Time you spend in Poland counts towards your 90 days in any 180, together with every other Schengen country.
Do I need ETIAS for Poland?
Not yet. When it starts, you'll need to apply online for ETIAS before you travel. It will cost €20 (free if you're under 18 or over 70) and last 3 years or until your passport expires. There's no start date yet: the EU says it will announce it several months ahead. Until then, don't pay any website for it.
How long does my passport need to be valid for Poland?
Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive, and be valid for at least 3 months after the day you leave the Schengen area.
Good to know in Poland
Currency is the złoty. Poland uses the złoty (PLN), not the euro. You can change money at banks or exchange offices (kantor), but a kantor exchange can't be reversed. Cards are widely accepted, especially in towns and tourist areas.
No drinking in public. Drinking alcohol in public places is banned, except in licensed places such as bars, restaurants and outdoor café gardens.
Driving in Poland. Use dipped headlights day and night, all year round. The drink-driving limit is 20 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood, and driving over 50 mg is a criminal offence.
Checks at land borders. Poland is running temporary checks at its land borders with Germany and Lithuania, currently until 30 March 2027. Carry your passport even when you arrive from another Schengen country.
Checked 26 October 2026 against European Union, European Commission, Polish Tourism Organisation and European Commission, Migration and Home Affairs.
See the 19 official sources
- What is ETIAS (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- What you need to apply (ETIAS) (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- ETIAS frequently asked questions (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- ETIAS timeline explained (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- Who should apply (ETIAS) (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- How does the EES work? (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- What is the EES? (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- FAQs about EES (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- Smart Borders (European Commission (Migration and Home Affairs))
- Short-stay calculator (European Commission (Migration and Home Affairs))
- User manual for the short-stay Schengen calculator (European Commission)
- Travel documents for non-EU nationals (European Union (Your Europe))
- Travel documents for EU nationals (European Union (Your Europe))
- Residence rights when living abroad in the EU (European Union (Your Europe))
- Documents for minors travelling in the EU (European Union (Your Europe))
- Countries using the euro (European Union)
- Money in Poland: notes and coins (Polish Tourism Organisation)
- Rules & regulations (Polish Tourism Organisation)
- Temporary reintroduction of border control (European Commission, Migration and Home Affairs)