The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is valid for nationals of EU and EFTA countries. The EHIC regulates care and reimbursement of costs in the event of illness for EU and EFTA citizens. In the event of illness, EHIC holders contact a contract doctor or a public health center. Addresses of panel doctors and public health centers are available from the branches of the National Health Fund (Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia). The EHIC does not include repatriation after a serious illness or an accident abroad. Statutory health insurance companies are not allowed to offer this service. Only private travel insurance companies pay for return transport. It is therefore recommended that you take out health insurance abroad for the duration of your stay, which covers risks that are not covered by statutory health insurance companies. Emergency numbers are the same throughout Poland and can be dialed free of charge from all public payphones: Police: 997. Fire brigade: 998. Ambulance: 999. Roadside assistance: 981. Check ebizdir for more information.
Food and drink
There are no special food hygiene requirements to be observed, but sheep and goat milk should be avoided if possible, as individual cases of transmission of the TBE virus in this milk have been reported.
Other risks
The standard vaccinations for children and adults recommended by the Robert Koch Institute (including against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), mumps, measles, rubella, pneumococci, poliomyelitis and influenza) should be refreshed before the trip if necessary. Nationwide, from April to October, there is a risk of transmission of Lyme disease from ticks, especially in grass, shrubs and undergrowth. Protection is offered by skin-covering clothes and insect repellents. Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is also transmitted by ticks. The provinces of Bialystock, Olsztyn, Suwalki, Masuria, the areas from Siedice to the Belarusian border, west of Kraków, east of Poznań, Szczecin and Gdansk are particularly affected. Vaccination against this disease is possible. Hepatitis A and hepatitis B occur. A hepatitis A vaccination is generally recommended. Vaccination against hepatitis B should be given during longer stays and close contact with the local population, as well as for children and young people in general. Rabies is very rare nationwide. Carriers include stray dogs, cats, forest animals and bats. Vaccination is recommended for backpackers, children, occupational risk groups and for longer stays. In the event of a bite, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Tuberculosis occurs. Vaccination should be considered for exposure.
Health certificate
In Poland and in all other EU countries, proof of the COVID vaccination status with the paper vaccination card is valid in addition to the digital COVID-19 vaccination card (EU Digital COVID Certificate). Poland accepts Swiss COVID certificate.
Money
Currency
1 zloty = 100 groszy. Currency code: Zl, PLN (ISO code). Banknotes come in denominations of 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10 zl; Coins in denominations of 5, 2 and 1 zl and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 groszy. Note: No date has yet been set for the introduction of the euro in Poland.
Credit cards
Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club and Visa are accepted in hotels, restaurants, large shops, supermarkets, travel agencies, flight agencies and petrol stations. Amounts should be paid in zloty, as this gives a better exchange rate. Details from the issuer of the relevant credit card.
ATMs
Girocard With the Girocard (formerly EC card) such as the Maestro card, V Pay or Sparcard and PIN number, cash can be withdrawn from ATMs in the national currency throughout Europe. In many European countries it is also possible to pay with a debit card in shops. Cards with the Cirrus, V-Pay or Maestro symbol are accepted throughout Europe. Further information from banks and credit institutes. Attention: Travelers who want to pay with their bank customer card abroad and withdraw money should find out from their bank about the possibility of using their card before starting their journey. A maximum of 1000 – 2000 zlotys can be withdrawn from ATMs per day.
Travelers cheques
Traveller’s checks are no longer available in Germany and Switzerland and are hardly available in Austria. Traveller’s checks are accepted in Poland in a few banks and exchange offices in the major cities, net of fees.
Bank opening hours
Mon-Fri 07.30-17.00 and Sat 09.00-14.00.
Foreign exchange regulations
For travelers within and from outside the EU, there are no restrictions on the import or export of national and foreign currencies, but there is an obligation to declare funds from an equivalent value of €10,000 (in addition to cash, cash also includes travelers cheques, savings accounts, other currencies, to third parties checks drawn, the true value of precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum (gold coins containing at least 90 percent gold grade, uncoined gold in the form of bars, nuggets or nuggets containing at least 99.5 percent gold grade), precious stones (but not jewelry). )).
Currency Exchange
Foreign currencies can easily be exchanged at border crossings, in banks and exchange offices, as well as in larger hotels and travel agencies. There are no fees in exchange offices (Kantor), it is advisable to inquire about the exchange rate beforehand. In order to get the best exchange rate, you should change in the country and in zloty or withdraw.
