Do I need a visa to visit Poland?

Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality. Poland is a full member of the European Union and the Schengen Area, so the rules are the standard Schengen rules rather than anything specific to Poland.

Who can enter without a visa

Citizens of the EU, the EEA (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein) and Switzerland can enter freely and stay as long as they like; a valid national ID card is enough. Citizens of many non-EU countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan, can enter without a visa for short stays. The short-stay limit is 90 days within any rolling 180-day period, and that allowance is shared across the whole Schengen Area, not counted separately for each country.

Who needs a Schengen visa

Travellers whose nationality is not on the visa-exempt list need a short-stay Schengen (type C) visa. Apply at the Polish consulate that covers your area, or at the consulate of your main destination if the trip covers several Schengen countries. A visa issued by any Schengen state is valid for Poland.

ETIAS: the new step for visa-free visitors

ETIAS is an online travel authorisation, not a visa. Once it starts, visa-exempt visitors will need to apply online before travelling. The launch is expected in the last quarter of 2026, though the date has moved before, so check the official EU site close to your trip. The fee is 20 EUR, applicants under 18 or over 70 pay nothing, and an approved authorisation lasts three years or until your passport expires. Separately, the EES biometric border system is being rolled out from late 2025, which means fingerprints and a photo are taken at the border instead of a passport stamp.

Staying longer than 90 days

For stays over 90 days you need a national long-stay (type D) visa or a residence permit. EU and EEA citizens do not need a visa, but must register their stay if they remain beyond three months.