Safety

The protection of internal public order and safety is provided by the Police and the Municipal Guard. Coming to Poland, you can be sure that Police and Municipal Guard officers patrolling streets are there not only to protect you against any threat, but also to help you find your way and to inform you about your rights and duties in specific situation.

Free emergency lines are accessible in all parts of the country:

• General emergency number: 112
• Police: 997
• Municipal Guard: 986
• Ambulance Service: 999

Emergency number: In summer (June-October), the Police runs an additional emergency helpline between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. where you can obtain information in English, German or Russian.

• Free line: 0 800 200 300
• Paid calls (local charge): (+48) 608 599 999

Currency

Polish currency is called zloty (zł, PLN). One zloty is divided into 100 groszy (1 zł = 100 gr). Banknotes with the following denominations 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 zł and coins with the following denominations 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 gr and 1, 2, 5 zł are in the circulation. Poland is to join the EURO zone in the future but the final date is not defined.

Currencies may be exchanged in numerous bureaux de change or in banks. Currency exchange points are usually located in city centers, at railway stations, airports, in some hotels and in places with a higher numbers of tourists. Official current exchange rates are set by the National Bank of Poland (NBP).

Banking

Banking services

Banks are open from Monday till Friday, few of them also work on Saturday. All banks are closed on Sundays and public holidays. However, you will find many 24-hour cash machines. Large banks have their own cash machines and there are also independent cash machine networks (Euronet, Cash4YOU). If you have a card of a given bank, you may use its cash machines free of charge, whereas other card holders pay a commission. At present, the most popular banking services and products are e-banking, charge cards and cash machines.

Charge cards (Visa, Maestro, etc.) are very popular; you may use this non-cash payment method in most bigger and medium-size shops as well as restaurants (where you can see card logos on the entrance door). In some bigger supermarkets or chain shops, designated cash desks accept payments in euro (apart from zloty the national currency) at an exchange rate given there. Likewise, credit cards (VISA, Mastercards, American Express) are accepted by most shops and service outlets equipped with electronic banking terminals.

Cheque transactions are far less common in Poland. This is because the market of e-banking services and charge cards is well developed. Naturally cheques are naturally accepted by banks, but are virtually never used as a method of payment in trade. You may not pay with traveller's cheques in Poland. However, cheques may be cashed in some bigger banks.

Referring to money exchange you can exchange money in a bank but there are even better exchange rates in numerous kantors (exchange offices - shop around to get a better deal) or at post offices. You can check the official rates daily at the National Bank of Poland. Also the Universal Currency Converter allows you to perform interactive foreign exchange rate calculations on the Internet using live, up-to-the-minute currency rates.

Bank account

It is recommended to open a bank account if you plan to stay in Poland for a longer period of time. Then your employer may transfer your income on your account. A foreigner can easily open a bank account but individual banks may have different requirements as regarding the documents to be submitted. Generally, you might be asked to present the following documents:
- valid passport or ID;
- residence card or temporary residence card;
- PESEL - personal number of Public Electronic System of Population Evidence.

Transport

Located in the heart of Europe, Poland is within easy reach by any means of transport: plane, train, coach, car or ferry. A flight to Warsaw takes 2 hours from London, Paris and Brussels and ca 1 hour from Berlin, Vienna or Prague. In the country, you can travel comfortably using our well-developed railway and coach transport. If you choose to travel by car, our extensive road network will lead you to beauty spots of Poland.

Train (pociąg)

The dense network of rail routes in Poland is operated by the Polish National Railways (Polskie Koleje Państwowe, PKP) which bring together several companies providing domestic and international passenger transport services. The fastest service and most comfortable travel conditions are offered by the PKP Intercity company; you can choose on average from ca 100 trains running daily between popular tourist centres, the biggest cities within Poland (Intercity and Express trains) and beyond its borders (EuroCity trains). While travelling Poland, you may also use services of the Cheap Railways (Tanie Linie Kolejowe) which offer cheaper tickets, usually for early morning and night trains.

Tickets (bilet) may be purchased from cash windows at all railway stations, in some travel agencies, as well as from ticket machines at some railway stations. You can also buy a ticket from the train conductor, paying in cash or – in all PKP Intercity trains – with a charge card; in this case, the price includes a small extra charge. Another option available is to reserve a ticket over the phone or to buy it from the PKP Intercity through the Internet. Children of up to 4 years of age travel by train in Poland free of charge, and accompanying persons may travel at reduced fare. Children and young people of up to 26 years of age enrolled in Polish schools or higher education institutions are entitled to a reduction off the full fare, provided that they hold a valid pupil or student identity card (to be shown at the train conductor’s request). Cheaper family tickets are another available and frequently chosen option, particularly attractive during the holiday season.

Car (samochód)

Poland has right-hand traffic and vehicles are overtaken on the left. When driving a car or any other vehicle in Poland, you are required to hold a driving licence, a vehicle registration document and a document confirming that you are covered by civil liability insurance (Green Card). Your vehicle should be equipped with a warning triangle, a fire extinguisher and a first-aid kit. You are not allowed to use your mobile phone while driving, unless you have a headset or hands-free set. Drivers are required to use dipped or daytime headlights also during the day all year round. All passengers (except visibly pregnant women, taxi drivers and persons holding a medical exemption certificate) are required to have their seat belts fastened both in the front and back seats. Children of up to 12 years of age and under 150 cm tall may travel only in child safety seats.

Driving licence (prawo jazdy)

Driving licences issued by the EU Member States are recognised in Poland until the validity date given on the document. EU nationals residing in Poland permanently are not required to change their driving licence, though they are entitled to have the Polish driving licence. Third-country nationals holding a driving licence issued in accordance with the Convention on Road Traffic of 1968 may drive vehicles on Polish roads on the basis of their document. Those who have obtained a permit for residence in Poland are required to change their document for a Polish driving licence within 6 months. Nationals of the countries which are not parties to the Convention should also hold an international driving licence during a tourist trip in Poland. Once a residence permit has been issued, both documents cease to be valid and the holder should apply for the Polish driving licence. To obtain it, applicants may be required to take a partial state examination.

Public urban transport

Services

Laundries (pralnia) and dry-cleaner’s (pralnia chemiczna)

Cleaning services (wet and dry cleaning) include washing and dry cleaning as well as dyeing of clothes, carpets, etc. In one of our numerous dry-cleaners, you will usually have your cleaning done in 1 to 2 hours. Self-service laundries are not popular in Poland, therefore only large cities have a few of them.

Veterinary clinics (klinika weterynaryjna)

If you have a pet and need to consult a veterinary surgeon, you will find a large number of private veterinary surgeries and clinics, many of which are open for 24 hours. They provide a wide range of services, including: emergency treatment; diagnosis and all types of treatment for small and large pets vaccinations (e.g. against rabies, which your dog is required to have every year) and check-ups for dogs and cats which are necessary to obtain a health certificate from the competent veterinary authorities if you wish to take your pet abroad.

Translation agencies (agencja tłumaczeń or biuro tłumaczeń)

Numerous translation agencies offer interpreting and translation from and into many languages. You may also need a sworn translator because documents translated and certified by them are recognised for official purposes.

Cultural aspects

Events

A characteristic feature of Polish culture is involvement in the life of the nation. Apart from some well-established national or international film festivals, theatre and music, there are plenty of small local feasts, fairs, contests, meetings and competitions, some of which involve local folklore and a lot of religious celebrations.

A great source of various information about cultural news, events, festivals, cultural institutions, periodicals and links to the Polish Culture Institutions abroad is the Adam Mickiewicz Institute website, where you can find information about well-established national or international festivals: The Frederic Chopin Piano Competition, The”Ad Hymnos and Cantus “Festival”, “Jazz Jamboree”, Festival International Street Theatre in Jelenia Gora in Poznan or Biennale Plakatu.

You can also buy the "Polish Culture Magazine", bilingual (Polish/English) quarterly which aims at promoting Polish culture abroad and focuses on its most modern - as well as vital - artistic achievements.

Cinema (kino)

In Poland, you will find a multitude of cinemas ranging from multi-cinema complexes to small cosy cinemas which often show old or original non-mainstream films. You can see films in the original language version as they are not dubbed into Polish.

Theatre (teatr)

Dramas in theatres are generally staged in the Polish language, but international theatres also come to Poland for theatre reviews or guest performances.

Cuisine

Polish cuisine is very varied, with many of its traditional dishes introduced by various nationalities living in the country. The most popular “items” are Polish meats and cold meats, in particular sausage (kiełbasa) available in many varieties, and ham (szynka), mainly pork ham. Traditional Polish lunch or dinner would not do without tomato soup (zupa pomidorowa) with noodles or rice, beetroot soup (barszcz, also known as borscht) served with a kind of ravioli (small meat or cabbage and mushroom dumplings) or the oldest Polish dish which is rye-flour soup (żur or żurek) served with a sausage and a boiled egg. The main course usually includes pork (e.g. the most popular pork cutlet, kotlet schabowy), poultry (drób) or fish (ryba) served with potatoes (ziemniaki or kartofle) or groats (kasza). During your stay in Poland, you should also try large dumplings (pierogi) stuffed with meat, cheese or fruit and traditional Polish cakes such as cheesecake (sernik), poppy-seed cake (makowiec) or gingerbread (piernik). Beer (piwo) lovers will not be disappointed with Polish trademark brews made for centuries, some of them winning awards in international contests.

Eating out

Poland has plenty of restaurants, bars and inns which offer both national dishes and regional specialities, and whose owners try to outdo one another in making the style of the interior as original as possible. In most cities and towns, you will find a wide choice of restaurants offering Italian, French, Jewish or Chinese but also Arabic or Mexican cuisine. Restaurants are open from Monday to Sunday, usually between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. or late night, and Polish pubs only close once the last client has left. In smaller towns, except tourist resorts, they open later and close earlier. Bills do not normally include a service charge. In restaurants where you are served by a waiter tips usually range between 5 and 10%, depending on the standard of the place.

Sport and Entertainment

Sports

In Poland you can go in for almost every sport, and a wide variety of opportunities available may surprise both beginners and sports enthusiasts who have reached advanced levels. The most popular summer sports are biking, sailing, canoeing as well as windsurfing. Another popular sport is horse riding; riding enthusiasts may pursue their hobby both in wild corners of the country and in areas near cities or towns where they will find numerous horse riding clubs and stud farms. Moreover, rock climbing, alpinism and caving are now gaining in popularity, as well hang-gliding and parachute jumping. are now gaining in the popularity. In winter not only in the mountains you may practise your skills in downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, iceboating or skating.

Centres and clubs in cities and towns offer opportunities for playing basket ball, handball, squash or tennis, and for aerobic, fitness or yoga. You can also take a swimming or diving course, or a ballroom dancing course. Moreover, indoor swimming pools, beauty centres, saunas and solaria can be found in all bigger cities and tourist resorts.

Entertainment

You can spend your leisure time in Poland in a variety of ways, and the choice is particularly wide in bigger cities, where in fact most academic and research centres are situated. Entertainment centres, which house cinemas, bowling alleys, climbing rocks and playgrounds for children, are growing in number. Those who are tired of the hustle and bustle of city life may rest in botanical or zoological gardens, or numerous urban and landscape parks. In each region, city or town, you will find an enormous variety of places worth visiting and events worth attending. Information about such places and events is available on websites and in local daily newspapers.

Tourism

You will find almost anything you like in Poland: from Alp-like mountains, wide beaches, clean lakes and vast forests to world-class monuments and hospitable people. The greatest attraction of the country is its varied, unspoilt and unrestrictedly accessible nature, even though we have a large number of protected areas, including 23 national parks, 7 of these on the UNESCO List of Biosphere Reserves, and numerous landscape parks. This is why Poland is a paradise for active tourists who can travel around on foot, by canoe, on horseback or by bicycle. The best season for this type of holiday in terms of weather conditions is between May and September, but “Polish Indian summer”, usually dry and warm, also invites for trips in October. Ideal places for all-year-round holiday are numerous seaside and mountain resorts, and – for those who prefer less active rest – spa resorts which have therapeutic springs and spring pools open to the general public. The choice of accommodation facilities offered is very wide: from standard hotels of worldwide chains in every bigger city, modern hotel complexes including tennis courts and swimming pools to small boarding houses or pensions and little cosy hotels, mountain hostels, camping sites and rural agro-tourist farms.

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