Poland is among the European countries that have kept some of the most stringent restrictions in place in order to avoid the further spread of the Coronavirus disease.
The country still continues to keep restrictions in place and advises against all unnecessary international travel, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
Consequently, at present, the possibility for travellers to enter Poland is limited as the country is trying to keep the pandemic situation under control.
What Are the Rules for Arrivals From EU & Schengen Area Countries?
Poland has its own classification of risk areas, which means that travel restrictions within the country are not based on the common “EU Traffic Light” map.
As such, the Polish authorities have announced that travellers arriving from 26 Member States are allowed to enter the latter’s territory restriction-free since they have been registering low infection rates. Except for specific EU countries, Poland also allows entry to four Schengen Area countries and Turkey.
The full list of countries that are allowed to enter Poland is as follows:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Greece
- Spain
- Netherlands
- Ireland
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Latvia
- Malta
- Germany
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Sweden
- Hungary
- Italy
- Switzerland
- Iceland
- Norway
- Liechtenstein
- Turkey
Turkey is part of this list since the two countries have reached a special agreement.
All travellers arriving from one of the countries mentioned above who are reaching Poland through air transport need to complete a Traveller Location Card.
In addition, in order to be permitted restriction-free entry, all travellers from these countries need to hold the EU Digital COVID-19 Certificate. This means that travellers need to provide proof of complete vaccination, proof of recovery from the virus, or a negative COVID-19 test result.
For travellers who have been vaccinated against the COVID-19 disease, it has been emphasised that Poland recognises as valid proof of immunity only the vaccines that have been approved for use by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
Wherefore, only the vaccines listed below are recognised as valid proof of vaccination:
- Pfizer/BioNTech
- AstraZeneca
- Moderna
- Johnson & Johnson
In regards to the vaccination status, it has been noted proof of vaccination is valid 14 days after the last dose.
>> Poland Recognises EMA-Approved COVID-19 Vaccines Only
Restriction-free entry is also allowed to all persons arriving from one of the EU/Schengen Area countries or Turkey if they show a certificate that indicates that they have recovered from the virus during the last six months.
As for those who plan to present a negative COVID-19 test result, it has been emphasised that both PCR and rapid antigen tests should be taken within 48 hours before entry.
All of these documents are accepted if they are issued in Polish or in English and can be presented in electronic or paper format.
The Polish authorities have announced that children under the age of 12 who are travelling together with a guardian who has been vaccinated, tested, or recovered from the virus can enter Poland without being subject to testing and quarantine requirements.
On the other hand, travellers arriving from the EU/Schengen Area countries mentioned above or Turkey, who do not hold proof of vaccination or proof of recovery from the virus but are only able to present a negative COVID-19 test result are subject to a ten-day quarantine requirement.
However, if they take a COVID-19 test 48 hours after entering Poland, they can be released from the quarantine requirement if the test shows to be negative.
What Are the Rules for Arrivals From Third Countries?
Poland currently allows entry to the following third countries:
- Georgia
- Japan
- Canada
- New Zealand
- Thailand
- South Korea
- Tunisia
- Australia
- Israel
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Northern Ireland
Regardless of the means of transport that is used to reach Poland, travellers arriving from a third country who have not been vaccinated or recovered from the COVID-19 disease are subject to a ten-day quarantine requirement.
However, it has been emphasised that the quarantine period can be ended earlier if a negative COVID-19 test result is provided eight days after arrival.
“Travellers who have been quarantined in Poland may perform a test – on the 8th day at the earliest, counting from the day after crossing the border – with a negative result releasing them from quarantine. When calculating the seven-day quarantine period, the expiry of which entitles travellers to have a diagnostic test performed on the eighth day,” the statement of the Polish Government reads.
In addition, the same has noted that the quarantine requirement does not apply to third-country nationals who started their journey in one of the EU/Schengen Area countries as well as to those who are transiting through Poland, provided that they leave within 24 hours of entry.
“Travellers by plane from countries outside the Schengen/EU area who, after arriving in Poland, stay in the country for no longer than 24 hours and have a flight ticket are exempt from the quarantine obligation. The departure must be within 24 hours, starting from the moment of arrival in Poland,” the statement of Re-open EU reads.
Several other groups of people who carry out important duties and essential activities in Poland are also allowed to enter the country.
What Is Open in Poland?
Similar to other European countries, most of the public places are open in Poland. Art galleries and museums are open for visitors with a limit of one person per 15 metres square. Movie theatres are also resuming their activities, both in indoor and outdoor environments. However, they can only operate with a 75 per cent capacity.
Similarly, cafes, bars, and restaurants are also allowed to resume their activity under strict sanitary measures, with no more than 75 per cent occupancy. Hotels, gyms, fitness clubs, and other sporting events are open as well.
Vaccination Passport of Poland
Poland is already connected to the EUDCC gateway, meaning that the country issues and accepts the EU Digital COVID-19 Certificate. Consequently, all Polish citizens and residents of other countries that hold such a document can travel freely within the European countries and Poland without having to follow strict rules.
The EU Digital COVID-19 Passport has been created by the European Commission with the aim of facilitating travel within the EU and is distinguished by these main features:
- Issued in paper or digital format
- A one-page document
- Issued in national language and English
- Safe and secure
- Free of charge
- Widely recognised in the EU
Don’t Forget to Purchase Travel Insurance When Travelling to Poland
All travellers who plan to visit Poland or any other EU country during the COVID-19 pandemic are advised to purchase extended travel insurance packages that cover pandemic and epidemic situations.
The travel insurance purchase ensures that all travellers can get their money back in case their trip gets cancelled due to an unpredicted surge in COVID-19 cases.
Reasonably priced travel insurance for Poland can be purchased from MondialCare, AXA Assistance or Europ Assistance.
COVID-19 Situation & Vaccination Rate in Poland
Based on the figures provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) figures, as of August 19, Poland has identified 2,885,883 COVID-19 infection cases, with 207 new cases reported only in the last 24 hours. Additionally, since the beginning of the pandemic, the country has reported 75,307 deaths related to Coronavirus health implications.
Regarding the vaccination rate, the data provided by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has shown that at least 56.8 per cent of the country’s entire population has been fully immunised, whereas 58.6 per cent have only taken the first dose of the vaccine.
Here’s What You Need to Know Before Visiting Other EU Countries
Most of the EU countries are currently keeping strict restrictions in place. If planning to travel to other countries except for Poland this summer, the guide listed below provide all the information you need to know before booking your trip:
