UK to Poland travel requirements. Travel. For many Polish people living in the UK, traveling to Poland is a regular part of life – whether it’s for family visits, holidays, or official matters. But since Brexit, the travel rules have changed. One expired document can ruin your trip! Here’s what you need to know to travel smoothly and avoid surprises at the border.
Documents you need to travel
Polish citizens can enter Poland with either a valid passport or ID card. Make sure your documents are valid for your entire stay.
British citizens – including those with Polish roots – must have a valid passport. Since Brexit, British ID cards are no longer accepted for travel to Poland. Border guards can refuse entry if your documents don’t meet the rules.
Rules for UK Citizens
UK citizens don’t need a visa if they’re staying in Poland for 90 days or less in any 180-day period. For longer stays, they must apply for a residence card at the local immigration office. If you’re visiting for work, study, or family reasons, prepare the right documents in advance to avoid problems when you arrive.
What about border checks?
After Brexit, the UK is not part of the Schengen Area, so travelers are subject to border checks. You may be asked about your reason for travel, how long you’re staying, and whether you have enough money to support yourself. Always carry a valid passport, and if staying over 90 days, have documents like a job contract, school invitation, or proof of purpose with you.
Going back to the UK – Do you have settled status?
If you have settled or pre-settled status in the UK, you can travel between Poland and the UK without a visa.
If you don’t have settled status, you’ll be treated as a tourist. This means you must apply for Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to re-enter the UK – this includes children and babies.
Read more: ETA 2025 – Who needs an Electronic Travel Authorisation to travel to the UK? Answers to frequently asked questions
Health and Insurance
Even short trips can lead to unexpected health issues. Treatment in Poland can be expensive if you’re not covered by public health care. After Brexit, the UK replaced the EHIC card with the GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card). Both cards offer limited coverage and may not include private care or medical transport.
To be safe, it’s best to get private international health insurance that covers:
- Emergency treatment and hospital stays
- Medical transport back to the UK
- Private clinics
- Trip cancellations
Have dual citizenship? Be careful what passport you use
If you hold both Polish and British citizenship, pay close attention to which passport you use when crossing borders. Entering Poland with a British passport means you’ll be treated as a non-EU visitor, which activates the 90-day stay limit. Using the wrong passport could result in unintentional overstaying, which may lead to fines or other issues.
The best option? Enter Poland with your Polish passport and return to the UK with your British passport. This avoids confusion and makes your journey smoother.