Poland

Visa Requirements for Polish Citizens

Polish citizens enjoy a strong passport, which allows them visa-free access to many countries. However, there are still many other countries that require them to apply for a visa. Depending on the destination country, it can be an eVisa, eTA, Visa on Arrival (VoA), ot a traditional sticker visa.

Currently, Polish citizens can apply for an eVisa or an eTA in around 56 countries. These processes are generally handled fully online. Means they don’t need to visit the consulates or embassies.

For countries that require only a traditional visa, Polish travelers must visit the embassy or consulate and follow the standard application process.

Whichever the visa type is, for international travel, Polish citizens must make sure their passport is valid for at least six (6) months beyond the intended period of stay.

Because the visa rules change frequently, it is always best to check the most up-to-date entry requirements of your destination before traveling.

Countries Offering eVisa and ETA to Polish Citizens

An eVisa (electronic visa) is a digital version of a travel visa that is linked directly to your passport. You can apply for and get an eVisa completely online. No embassy visit needed. Once approved, it is sent via email and can be printed or shown electronically at your arrival point.

An eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) is a simpler form of permission for entry. It is also applied online and is usually valid for multiple entries over a period. However, the traveler must enter the destination country within that validity timeframe. If they miss it, they must reapply.

Here are the countries that allow Polish citizens to use an eVisa or an eTA:

eVisa Required Countries (44)

  • Azerbaijan
  • Bahrain
  • Benin
  • Bhutan
  • Burkina Faso
  • Cambodia
  • Cameroon
  • Congo Democratic Republic
  • Cuba
  • Djibouti
  • Egypt
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Ethiopia
  • Gabon
  • Guinea
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Iran
  • Jordan
  • Kuwait
  • Laos
  • Lesotho
  • Libya
  • Madagascar
  • Mozambique
  • Myanmar
  • Namibia
  • Nepal
  • Nigeria
  • Oman
  • Russian Federation
  • Rwanda
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Sierra Leone
  • South Sudan
  • Suriname
  • Taiwan
  • Tajikistan
  • Tanzania
  • Thailand
  • Togo
  • Uganda
  • United Kingdom
  • Vietnam

eTA Required Countries (10)

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • Ivory Coast
  • Kenya
  • New Zealand
  • Philippines
  • Seychelles
  • South Korea
  • Sri Lanka
  • United States

Visa-on-Arrival Destinations

A Visa on Arrival (VoA) allows you to get a visa after landing at the destination’s airport or border checkpoint. The process is generally straightforward, though some queues or additional checks apply.

Because VoA rules can change without notice, it’s strongly advised to check the current rules of the destination before traveling.

Here’s the list of destinations that offer VoA to Polish citizens:

VoA - Visa on Arrival Countries (10)

  • Bangladesh
  • Burundi
  • Comoros
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Iraq
  • Lebanon
  • Maldives
  • Mauritania
  • Somalia
  • Zimbabwe

Visa-Free Destinations

With the passport ranked 4th globally, the Polish passport grants visa-free entry to 114 countries. Depending on the destination’s visa policy, the stay limit can range from 30 to 90 days.

Here’s the list of countries that offer visa-free travel to Polish citizens:

Visa Free Countries (114)

  • Albania
  • Andorra
  • Angola
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Argentina
  • Armenia
  • Austria
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Belize
  • Bolivia
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Botswana
  • Brazil
  • Brunei
  • Bulgaria
  • Cabo Verde
  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • Costa Rica
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Dominica
  • Dominican Republic
  • Ecuador
  • El Salvador
  • Estonia
  • Eswatini
  • Fiji
  • Finland
  • France
  • Gambia
  • Georgia
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Grenada
  • Guatemala
  • Haiti
  • Honduras
  • Hong Kong
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Jamaica
  • Japan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kiribati
  • Kosovo
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Macao
  • Malawi
  • Malaysia
  • Malta
  • Marshall Islands
  • Mauritius
  • Mexico
  • Micronesia
  • Moldova
  • Monaco
  • Mongolia
  • Montenegro
  • Morocco
  • Netherlands
  • Nicaragua
  • North Macedonia
  • Norway
  • Palau
  • Palestine
  • Panama
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Portugal
  • Qatar
  • Romania
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Samoa
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • San Marino
  • Sao Tome and Principe
  • Senegal
  • Serbia
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Solomon Islands
  • South Africa
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Timor-Leste
  • Tonga
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Tunisia
  • Turkey
  • Tuvalu
  • Ukraine
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Uruguay
  • Uzbekistan
  • Vanuatu
  • Vatican City
  • Venezuela
  • Zambia

Visa-Required Destinations

Although a Polish passport is one of the strongest passports in the world, there are still several countries where a traditional visa is required. In that case, travelers must follow a formal application process by visiting embassies or consulates.

However, some countries offer partial online submission for traditional visas. In that case, travelers may fill out the online form and then attend in-person interviews.

A traditional visa typically takes time to process. It can be from several weeks to even months, depending on the destination country. So, it’s always advisable to apply for a sticker visa at least a few weeks before your planned visit.

Here’s the list of destinations that require a traditional visa for Polish nationals:

Visa Required Countries (18)

  • Afganistan
  • Algeria
  • Central African Republic
  • Chad
  • China
  • Congo
  • Eritrea
  • Ghana
  • Guyana
  • Liberia
  • Mali
  • Nauru
  • Niger
  • North Korea
  • Sudan
  • Syria
  • Turkmenistan
  • Yemen

Schengen Destinations with Short-Term Visa-Free Entry for Polish Citizens

As an EU member and part of the Schengen Area, Polish citizens benefit from full visa-free travel across Schengen states. They can move freely, work, and reside in these countries without needing a visa.

Below are Schengen-associated countries where Polish citizens can enter visa-free for short-term travel:

  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Bulgaria
  • Croatia
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Portugal
  • Romania
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland

General Visa Requirements for Polish Citizens

While visa rules vary by destination, most visa applications for Polish citizens require the following information and documents:

  • Valid Passport: Must be valid for at least six (6) months beyond your planned arrival.
  • Visa Application Form: Complete and signed application form. It can be either online or offline, depending on the destination and visa type.
  • Photograph: A recently captured passport-sized photo, typically with a plain background and clear facial view.
  • Flight Tickets: Proof of return or onward travel. It can be inbound and outbound flights.
  • Proof of Accommodation/Stay: Hotel bookings, host address, invitation letters, or rental confirmation as required.

Partners We Work With

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Sports and Tourism

Frequently Asked Questions

How many countries can we visit with a Polish passport?

Polish citizens have access to around 198 destinations across the world. This includes visa-free, visa-on-arrival, eVisa, eTA, and traditional sticker visa.

Which country visa is free for a Polish Citizen?

Over 114 countries provide visa-free access, including most of Europe, Latin America, and numerous Asian and African destinations.

What is the best way to prove citizenship?

A valid Polish passport is the primary proof of citizenship. In certain cases, you may also use national identity cards or birth certificates.

Can a Polish person have dual citizenship?

Yes, Poland allows dual or multiple citizenship. Polish citizens may hold the nationality of another country without automatically losing their Polish citizenship.

  • Information Updated on:
  • October 21, 2025