ETIAS FOR POLAND

POLAND’S GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE

Poland has a stunningly diverse terrain. It has sandy beaches on the Baltic coast and snow-capped hills to the south. Its land has nearly 1,300 lakes.

Throughout, the climate is largely temperate. It is warmer and more continental to the south and east. Lower Silesia is the hottest area, with high summer temperatures.

POLAND’S POLITICAL SYSTEM

It has the following characteristics as a parliamentary republic:

• A prime minister, as the head of government
• A president, as the head of state

The council of ministers is at the heart of the government.

Poland is split into 16 provinces, each with its own governor nominated by the government.

BRIEF HISTORY OF POLAND

The earliest civilizations, dating back to 2000 B.C. Its origins, however, date back to the 10th century. The region’s tribes were not unified under the first prince of Polska, Slavic leader Mieszko, until A.D. 966.

Poland’s history is one of strife and hostility. The nation has had hundreds of changes and been controlled by a number of rulers. By the end of the 1500s, Lithuania and Poland had merged and were controlled by elected monarchs. Throughout the 1700s, the nation was involved in various conflicts with its neighbours.

Poland’s territory was captured and split among Russia, Austria, and Prussia in 1795. Poland did not resurface as a country until 1918, when the First World War finished.

The Polish people were greatly affected by World War II. Both German and Soviet Union occupations had a profound impact on Poland’s growth.

For 45 years, Poland was occupied by the Soviet Union. In the 1980s, Polish workers demonstrated against communism. Poland did not become a republic until 1989, when democratic elections were held.

POLAND, AND THE EUROPEAN UNION

Poland is a member of the European Union and a nation recognised by the Schengen Agreement, which permits free movement of goods and persons among the 26 nations, including Poland.

The Schengen zone is a region that agrees to a single external border and coordinates international security and immigration services, including the new European visa waiver known as ETIAS for qualified countries.

Poland is a relatively new member of the European Union and the Schengen zone. It is currently one of several ETIAS nations that comprise the European Union.

Although Poland only joined the EU in 2004, they have been battling for their place since diplomatic relations between Poland and the European Economic Community (EEC) began in 1988. After a tough postwar and Cold War era, Poland began to build political changes in the late 1980s and early 1990s, allowing them to achieve the political and economic conditions necessary for entry into the EU.

TRAVEL TO POLAND

Poland, being a Schengen member, welcomes all EU nationals. Similarly, Polish nationals have unrestricted movement inside the Schengen Area.

Poland has a visa liberalisation policy. With a valid ID, EU nationals can enter Poland under this policy. Citizens of over 50 countries do not need a visa to visit Poland and can enter with their passport. To pass through Polish border control, third-country nationals from the remaining nations must have a Schengen visa.

Poland, as an ETIAS country, will need visa-free foreign people to hold a valid ETIAS in order to enter its territory. ETIAS will be available in November 2023. Obtaining the ETIAS visa waiver will be a rather easy online process.

GETTING AROUND POLAND

Poland provides public transportation that helps people and visitors to conveniently move throughout the country.

Bus networks are prevalent in large and medium-sized cities. Tram and trolley bus systems are also available in a few cities. Warsaw, the capital, is the only city having a metro system.

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN POLAND

From 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., public transportation is available. The service is less frequent on weekends.

Tickets are normally accessible inside the bus or tram and may be purchased with a contactless card. Ticket machines are available at major bus and tram stops. Tickets can also be purchased through newspaper kiosks.

When boarding a bus or tram, all paper tickets must be verified. Ticket inspectors check both residents and visitors to ensure that their tickets have been verified.

ARRIVING IN POLAND BY PLANE, CAR, FERRY, AND TRAIN

There are various options for getting around Poland. It features well-served airports in several cities as well as a vast network of buses, trains, and ferries. Any of the country’s formal borders can be used to enter the country by automobile.

TRAVELLING BY TRAIN TO AND IN POLAND

• Rail travel is one of the easiest ways to see the country. Trains are operated by Polskie Koleje Państwowe (PKP)
• Speedy InterCity, Eurocity, and Express InterCity trains run between the largest cities

TRAVELLING BY BUS TO AND IN POLAND

• Visitors can connect to and from Poland by bus via several European nations. Buses within the country reach every Polish town
• Nationwide FlixBus and PolskiBus connect bigger cities and are at times, faster than a train

TRAVELLING BY FERRY TO AND IN POLAND

• Entering the country by ferry is another viable option. Poland’s major ports are Gdansk, Gdynia, Szczecin, and Swinoujscie. The most common ferry routes are from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland.

TRAVELLING BY PLANE TO AND IN POLAND

There are three main airports in Poland:

• Chopin Airport, in Warsaw
• John Paul II International Airport, in Krakow
• Lech Wałęsa Airport, in Gdánsk

All airports are well connected by bus to their respective city centres. It is possible to get a taxi as well.

MEDICAL INSURANCE FOR POLAND

Foreign tourists with a Schengen visa who enter Poland must have medical insurance. In order to obtain a Schengen visa, all candidates must first have medical insurance.

Medical insurance is not required for visa-exempt travellers. Nonetheless, travellers are urged to get travel insurance to avoid financial problems during their vacation.

To travel inside Schengen area, European citizens can apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

MEDICAL INSURANCE FOR ETIAS POLAND

Medical insurance is not required to apply for an ETIAS Poland. ETIAS holders will not be required to produce medical or travel insurance before visiting Poland.

Even while medical or travel insurance is not required, it is recommended that travellers obtain insurance to avoid problems in the event of an emergency when travelling overseas.

MEDICAL INSURANCE FOR SCHENGEN VISA FOR POLAND

Schengen Visa holders must have medical insurance to apply and get their visa to visit Poland and all other Schengen member countries.

The insurance should meet the following criteria:

• A minimum coverage of at least €30,000
• It should be valid for all of the Schengen Area
• Cover all expenses in case of repatriation for medical reasons
• Cover all expenses in case of an emergency, treatment
• Cover all expenses in case of death

GOING THROUGH POLISH BORDER CONTROL

Poland, as a Schengen member, opens its borders to people of Schengen nations as well as EU nationals. All they need is a valid ID to cross land, sea, and air borders.

Citizens of visa-free nations must enter Poland using their passport. They will be able to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver online ahead of their journey beginning in November 2023. For visa-exempt non-EU citizens, ETIAS will become a Polish entrance requirement. To enter Polish territory, all other foreigners must have a Schengen visa and a passport.

Poland’s border is patrolled by the Polish Border Guard, abbreviated as SG.

Under specific conditions, Poland, like any other Schengen member, may restore border restrictions. For example, in the event of a pandemic or a catastrophe, countries can control their borders as they see proper

VISITING POLAND: WHAT TO SEE AND DO

Poland is quickly becoming a popular destination for weekend vacations and short getaways, with its two main cities attracting travellers from all around looking for a variety of activities. Every year, over 18 million visitors visit Krakow and Warsaw, Poland’s biggest cities.

HISTORIC WARSAW

Warsaw has evolved as a commercial and tourism destination since the 1990s.

Visitors to the capital should not miss a visit to the Presidential Palace.

Its Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (one of 17 in Poland), meticulously reconstructed from pictures and paintings of the city.

Another big draw is the Warsaw Uprising Museum, where visitors may learn about the conflict and, in particular, how the Polish people fought back against Nazi domination. In just 63 days, the city was utterly devastated, and it is estimated that over 200,000 Poles were slain.

Other must-see Warsaw attractions include:

• The Palace of Culture and Science features stunning views of the city.
• The Praga neighbourhood features arty cafés and local pubs. A perfect spot to relax and get to know locals.
• Łazienki Park which occupies 17 hectares of the city centre is ideal for long walks. Numerous festivals also take place here.

KRAKOW’S BEAUTIFUL ARCHITECTURE

Krakow was formerly the country’s royal capital and remains an important metropolis. Despite the fact that it was heavily damaged during WWII, visitors will see a blend of past styles. Romanesque, baroque, art nouveau, Gothic, and Renaissance styles are all represented in the building. The 16th-century Renaissance Cloth Hall is one of its most remarkable structures.

Culture is another compelling incentive to visit this vibrant and fascinating city. Throughout the year, Kraków hosts hundreds of festivals and cultural events. Anything from movies to dance to art to music to literature to drama.

The cuisine of the erstwhile royal capital will delight visitors. A visit would not be complete without enjoying the customary pierogi and vodka.

Kraków’s most prominent sites and attractions include:

• Main Market Square is the heart of Kraków’s Old Town and Europe’s largest medieval town square. The Cloth Hall and the Town Hall Tower are both impressive.
• Wieliczka Salt Mine is a subterranean salt mine with tunnels and chambers. Visitors can enter a small section that includes chapels and figures made of salt.
• St Mary’s Basilica features two towers of different heights. The original structure was built in the 1220s and it was rebuilt during a tatar raid. The interior is just as impressive, boasting carved wooden pieces.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS IN POLAND

Other fantastic places to visit in Poland include:

• The Great Masurian Lakes, where visitors can sail or practice water sports. There are several resorts by the lakes.
• Baltic Beaches, featuring cream-white sand, are uniquely beautiful.
• Malbork Castle, a 13th-century Teutonic castle, the largest in the world.
• Gdansk Museum of WWII, opened in 2016, it’s a modern building by the waterfront that presents the horrors of the war.
• Auschwitz-Birkenau is an essential visit while in Poland. Both sections of the camp have been well preserved to show the reality of the war.
• Białowieża National Park it’s a Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site, home to 120 species of birds, as well as elk, wild boars and wolves.

Poland’s open and pleasant people have made strides in commerce, foreign affairs, and the development of a strong tourism and entertainment sector, all while keeping a relatively unspoiled country in many sections with glistening lakes and rivers, lush meadows, and woods.

Poland will be an even more appealing alternative for international tourists with the implementation of Europe’s travel visa waiver for Poland: ETIAS. The travel authorization will improve border security while reducing health and safety hazards.

ETIAS FOR POLAND – FAQS