Located in the centre of Europe and a member of the Schengen space, Poland is a very interesting destination to explore. Looking to travel to Poland? In this article, find out about visa requirements and other regulations for visiting the country.
Located in the heart of Europe, Poland is a very welcoming country towards expatriates. A member state of the European Union, it allows visa-free entry (stay up to 90 days) for citizens of the European Union, United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Hong Kong and a number of other countries. However, if you plan to stay in the country longer or move there, it is best to inquire about the relating formalities beforehand.
Visas
There are three main types of visas for Poland:
- A visa ' for airport transit
- C visa ' Schengen visa
- D visa ' for long stays
If your country is not on the list of visa-exempt countries, you will need to apply for a tourist visa prior to entering the country ' you can do that at a Polish Embassy or Consulate in your home country. Citizens of non-Schengen countries are generally required to present valid travel papers, proof of sufficient funds for the length of stay, hotel bookings and return tickets.
Check out Visas for Poland for more information on the different types of visas and conditions applied.
Registration
All visitors to the country are required to register at the nearest municipal or regional office (Urzad Meldunkowy) and state their place of residence.
Temporary residence. Typically, if you stay at a hotel, hostel, inn, etc., the registration will be done for you by the hotel staff. If you are renting an apartment or staying with friends/family, you will need to do the registration in person or be represented by a proxy who should be in possession of a notarised authorisation letter.
Permanent residence. If you stay in Poland for a longer period of time, you will still need to go through the registration process. In this case, you will need to present a valid passport/ID document as well as a rental agreement. In some cases, you may be required to go to the registration office together with your landlord who will need to present a proof of residence.
Good to know:
You will be eligible to become a permanent resident once you have made a continuous stay in the country for five to ten years (depending on the reason and conditions of your stay). The permanent residency card is given for a period of ten years and should be renewed upon expiration.
Useful links:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs ' Traveling to Poland
UK Embassy in Poland ' Entry Requirements
US Embassy in Poland
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
