The official currency is Zloty (PLN), divided into 100
groszy. Poland is essentially a 'cash country', and it is difficult
to negotiate credit cards and travellers cheques in the cities, and
well nigh impossible in rural areas. American Express, Diners Club,
Visa and MasterCard are, however, accepted in places frequented by
tourists. ATMs are also beginning to proliferate in Polish cities,
where they are designated by the sign 'Bankomat'. Money (preferably
US$ or Euros) can be exchanged in the cities and larger towns at
banks, hotels or bureaux called 'kantors', which offer the best
rates.
Currency Exchange Rates
EUR 1.00 =
rate 0.36
rate 0.18
rate 0.40
rate 0.44
rate 2.53
rate 0.27
rate 0.49
Note: These currency exchange rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.
Language:
The national language is Polish. English is widely
understood in tourist areas.
Entry requirements for Americans:
US nationals do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days.
Passports must be valid for period of intended stay.
Entry requirements for UK nationals:
UK nationals with a passport endorsed British Citizen do not
require a visa for stays of up to six months. Other passport
holders require a visa. Passports must be valid for period of
intended stay.
Entry requirements for Canadians:
Canadian nationals do not require a visa for stays of up to 90
days. Passports must be valid for period of intended stay.
Entry requirements for Australians:
Australians require a passport valid for at least the period of
intended stay to enter Poland and may stay for up to three months
without a visa.
Entry requirements for South African:
South African passport holders require a Schengen visa for
travel to Poland. Passports must be valid for at least six months
after arrival.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals:
Irish nationals require a passport, but no visa is necessary
for a stay of up to three months.
Entry requirements for New Zeland nationals:
New Zealand nationals require a passport valid for at least the
period of intended stay. A visa is not needed for up to three
months.
Passport/Visa Note:A passport valid for at least six months after
arrival is needed for those who require a visa. Visa exempt
nationals must have a passport valid for period of intended
stay.
Embassy or Consulate in US:
Polish Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 234
3800.
Embassy or Consulate in UK:
Polish Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)870 774
2700.
Embassy or Consulate in Canada:
Polish Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 789 0468.
Embassy or Consulate in Australia:
Polish Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6273 1208.
Embassy or Consulate in South Africa:
Polish Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 430
2631/2.
US Embassy or Consulate:
United States Embassy, Warsaw: +48 (0)22 504 2000.
UK Embassy or Consulate:
British Embassy, Warsaw: +48 (0)22 311 0000.
Canadian Embassy or Consulate
Canadian Embassy, Warsaw: +48 (0)22 584 3100.
Australian Embassy or Consulate:
Australian Embassy, Warsaw: +48 (0)22 521 3444.
South African Embassy or Consulate:
South African Embassy, Warsaw: +48 (0)22 625 6228/6233.
Health:There are few health risks associated with travel to
Poland. Those visiting forested areas are advised to seek medical
advice about inoculations for tick borne encephalitis. Bird flu was
discovered in swans in northern Poland in March 2006; there is
little risk to travellers, but close contact with live birds should
be avoided and all egg and poultry dishes well cooked as a
precaution. It is safest to drink bottled water to avoid stomach
upsets. There is a reciprocal health agreement with the UK and most
EU countries, whose citizens are entitled to free emergency medical
treatment on presentation of a European Health Insurance Card
(EHIC). Full health insurance cover is advised.
SafetyTourists should be alert to the risk of robbery in tourist
areas in large cities, particularly in the vicinity of hotels,
markets and banks. Vigilance against theft should also be exercised
at central railway stations in Poland, as well as on overnight long
distance trains, and when travelling on public transport between
Warsaw's Frederic Chopin Airport and central Warsaw. Avoid walking
alone at night. Tourist sites, areas near big hotels, money
exchange facilities and ATMs are popular with thieves.
Customs: Jay walking is an offence, which is punishable with a
fine. Public drunkenness is severely viewed; police will take drunk
people to drying out clinics until sober and the person will be
charged for the stay, and driving after drinking alcohol is
punishable by law.
Communications: The international access code for Poland is +48.
The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g.
0044 for the United Kingdom). City/area codes are in use, e.g.
(0)22 for Warsaw and (0)12 for Krakow. Cheap rate is between 4pm
and 6am, and weekends. Mobile phones work throughout the country,
local operators use GSM networks, which may not be compatible with
some US cell phones. Internet cafes are available in most
towns.
Duty Free:Travellers to Poland over 17 years arriving from non-EU
countries do not have to pay duty on 250 cigarettes or 50 cigars or
250g tobacco; 1 litre wine and 1 litre spirits; cosmetics and
medicines for personal use; gifts up to the value of EUR175.
Travellers to Poland arriving from within the EU do not have to pay
duty on 800 cigarettes or 200 cigars or 1kg smoking tobacco; 10
litres spirits, 90 litres wine and 110 litres beer. Prohibited
items include birds and poultry arriving from countries infected
with Avian influenza. The export of all articles of artistic,
historic or cultural value are subject to special
regulations.
