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Updated 21 January 2021

After months of dormancy due to the raging pandemic, the travel industry is gearing up for a return to small normalcy with borders reopening, easing of quarantine requirements, and the creation of travel bubbles. Travelers around the world are now keen to find out if, when, and where they can travel abroad. One country that’s been on many travel wishlist is Poland.

Can anyone travel to Poland now? What important things do travelers need to know if they are planning to fly to Poland?

Who can travel to Poland?

According to the official website of the Republic of Poland, as of 13 June 2020, full border traffic within the internal borders of the European Union has been restored. This effectively renders free travel into and within the territory of Poland, which means that eligible travelers have the right to enter, exit and transit the country without the need of undergoing quarantine.

Eligible travelers are those automatically granted free travel, namely residents of Poland along with residents of the EU/UK/EFTA. Additionally, holders of residency rights and nationals of Georgia, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, the Kingdom of Thailand, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of Tunisia, the Commonwealth of Australia may also gain entry into the country.

For an exhaustive list of people who may enter Poland, please refer to the following:

  • Polish citizens
  • Foreigners who are spouses or children of citizens of the Republic of Poland or remain under the constant care of citizens of the Republic of Poland;
  • Holders of a Pole’s Card,
  • Heads of diplomatic missions and members of the mission’s diplomatic and consular staff, i.e. persons having a diplomatic rank and members of their families;
  • People who have the right of permanent or temporary residence in the Republic of Poland or a work permit,
  • Foreigners who run a means of transport designed for the transport of persons or goods, and whose transit takes place as part of their professional activities consisting in the transport of goods or persons,
  • Citizens of European Union Member States, European Free Trade Agreement (EFTA) Member States – parties to the Agreement on the European Economic Area or the Swiss Confederation and their spouses and children, when traveling through the territory of the Republic of Poland to their place of residence or stay,
  • Pupils and students receiving education in the Republic of Poland;
  • Foreigners who fly an aircraft within the meaning of Article 2 item 1 of the Act of 3 July 2002 – Aviation Law, onboard an international law who are the citizens of: Georgia, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, the Kingdom of Thailand, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of Tunisia, the Commonwealth of Australia or hold a right of residence in the territory of the aforementioned countries,
  • Foreigners who arrive due to their participation as a competitor, member of the training staff, medical doctor, physiotherapist or a referee in international master league sports events organised in the territory of Poland by an international Olympic or Paralympic sports federation or other  body recognised by the International Olympic Committee or organised by an international continental sports organisation being a member of such federation, as well as accredited journalists, after presenting the Border Guard with a proof of the competition, the date and the nature of participation with an appropriate letter issued by the organiser of such sports event or certified by the relevant Polish sports federation,
  • Persons who cross the border of Poland based on national visa for the purpose of repatriation in order to arrive in Poland as the repatriated person’s closest family member,
  • Foreigners with a permanent residence permit or a long-term resident’s European Union residence permit, in the territory of other European Union Member States, a Member State of the European Free Trade Agreement (EFTA) – parties to the agreement on the European Economic Area or the Swiss Confederation and their spouses and children, when traveling through the territory of the Republic of Poland, to their place of residence or stay.

In particularly justified cases not included above, the commanding officer of the Polish Border Guard post has the authority to grant foreigners entry into the territory of the Republic of Poland.

 

Do I need to quarantine if I travel to Poland?

The Polish government is imposing a minimum of 10-day quarantine/self-isolation for certain types of travelers:

  • People entering the Republic of Poland through borders serving as the EU’s external borders,
  • People that have come into contact with infected (or potentially infected) individuals,
  • People living with individuals placed under quarantine

Exemptions apply to the following:

  • Citizens of European Union Member States, European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Member States – parties to the Agreement on the European Economic Area or the Swiss Confederation, and their spouses and children;
  • Aircraft passengers within the meaning of Art. 2 point 1 of the Act of July 3, 2002. – Aviation law, performing an international flight from an airport located in the territory of a country not covered by air traffic bans specified in the regulations issued on the basis of art. 119 paragraph. 2 of the Act of 3 July 2002 – Aviation Law, with the exception of passengers of an aircraft performing an international flight from an airport located on the territory of the Republic of Belarus or Ukraine.
  • All students studying in Poland, participants of postgraduate studies and specialist education, as well as doctoral students and all scientists conducting scientific activity in our country are excluded from the compulsory quarantine.
  • Mandatory quarantine does not have to be carried out also by foreigners who are spouses or children of Polish citizens or who remain under their permanent care.

Are there flights to Poland now?

Commercial flights are indeed currently operating to and from Poland. A search through Wego shows a number of flights inbound for Warsaw for the month of October. If you’re looking to fly to Poland from a country or territory outside of the restricted list, you shouldn’t find any trouble securing your flight tickets.