Rules and laws in Poland (2026)
Last reviewed: 30 October 2026
Every topic we cover for Poland. Each rule links to its official source.
Driving
Car insurance and green cards
Third-party insurance is compulsory for foreign-registered vehicles in Poland. Cars from the Multilateral Agreement states need no Green Card, others need one or border insurance. Drivers must carry proof of insurance.
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Car speed limits
Poland sets 50 km/h in built-up areas, 90 km/h on most roads outside them, 100 or 120 km/h on dual carriageways and expressways, and 140 km/h on motorways. The limit is 20 km/h in residential zones. The values apply to passenger cars; vehicle combinations have lower limits.
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Driving after drugs
Driving after using drugs is an offence and police can test drivers for them by saliva swab in a road check. No numeric THC limit is set in the texts read. Penalties run from arrest or a fine of at least PLN 2,500 to up to 3 years in prison.
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E-bikes and speed pedelecs
A pedelec with pedal-activated assistance up to 250 W that cuts out above 25 km/h is a bicycle in Poland. Riders under 16 must wear a helmet, and cyclists must use marked cycle paths and lanes. Rules for faster e-bikes were not confirmed.
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E-scooters
E-scooters may be ridden from age 13 (younger children only in residential zones with an adult), mainly on cycle routes or roads with a limit of 30 km/h or less, with no passengers. Riders under 16 must wear a helmet.
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Foreign driving licences
Under the Act on Drivers, a valid licence from an EU, Swiss or EFTA/EEA state is valid in Poland for its period of validity and need not be exchanged. A non-EU licence under the Vienna or Geneva Conventions counts for 6 months from the start of residence, and people living in Poland for at least 185 days can exchange a foreign licence.
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Mopeds
A moped (motorower) is a two- or three-wheeler limited by design to 45 km/h. It must be registered with a plate, the rider needs category AM from age 14, and a helmet is compulsory.
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Motorcycles: helmets and licences
Helmets are compulsory for riders and passengers of motorcycles and mopeds in Poland. Minimum ages are 16 for category A1, 18 for A2, 20 for A after two years on A2, and 24 for direct access to A. Dipped headlights or daytime running lights must be used while driving.
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Seat belts and child seats
Seat belts must be used in vehicles fitted with them. Children under 150 cm must be carried in an approved child seat or other child restraint, with set exceptions for the rear seat. A rear-facing child seat may not be used in the front seat with an active passenger airbag.
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Towing trailers and caravans
A car with a trailer or caravan is limited to 80 km/h on motorways. Category B covers trailers up to 750 kg, or heavier ones if the combination stays within 3,500 kg; B+E covers trailers up to 3.5 t.
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Using a mobile phone while driving
Poland bans using a phone that has to be held in the hand while driving. The on-the-spot fine is PLN 500 and the offence carries 12 penalty points. The text bans only phones that must be held, so hands-free use is not covered by the ban.
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Travel
Air passenger rights
EU Regulation 261/2004 applies. Compensation is EUR 250, 400 or 600 by distance, and a delay of 3 hours or more at the final destination gives the same right as a cancellation. Enforcement is handled by the President of the Civil Aviation Authority.
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Customs allowances for tobacco and alcohol
From other EU states, Polish law treats more than 800 cigarettes, 10 litres of spirits, 90 litres of wine (60 sparkling) or 110 litres of beer as pointing to commercial use. From outside the EU, travellers aged 17 or over may bring 200 cigarettes by air or sea (40 otherwise), 1 litre of spirits over 22% vol., 4 litres of still wine and 16 litres of beer free of excise.
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Health cover for temporary visitors
The card gives access to care from providers working under the Polish state system (NFZ). It does not cover private care, rescue and repatriation, or planned treatment. The National Health Fund's International Affairs Department is the contact named by the EU.
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Identity documents
Adult Polish citizens living in Poland must hold an identity card, but there is no duty to carry it. EU citizens can enter with an identity card or passport. British citizens need a passport that meets Schengen validity rules.
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Meat and dairy imports
EU rules apply: no meat, milk or their products may be brought into Poland from outside the EU, except up to 2 kg of powdered infant milk, infant food and special medical foods, and up to 20 kg of fish. Travel from other EU states is unrestricted.
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Minors travelling: documents
Every child needs its own passport or ID card to cross a border, whatever the age. Polish rules require no special consent form or notarised authorisation for a child travelling with one parent, with other adults or alone. Border Guard officers may check that the guardians know of and agree to the trip.
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Rail passenger rights
Regulation (EU) 2021/782 applies in Poland. On long-distance services a passenger gets a refund option from a 60-minute delay and compensation of 25% or 50% of the ticket price from 60 or 120 minutes. The Office of Rail Transport enforces the rules.
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Short stays (90/180-day rule)
Visa-exempt visitors may stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Travel documents must be valid for three months after departure. Non-EU nationals are recorded in the Entry/Exit System, which replaces passport stamps.
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Tax-free shopping for visitors
Poland offers TAX FREE refunds to buyers with permanent residence outside the EU. The goods must leave the EU by the end of the third month after the month of sale, and customs checks the electronic TAX FREE document at the border.
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Travelling with pets
Dogs, cats and ferrets need a microchip, an EU pet passport and a rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before travel. Entry from outside the EU needs an animal health certificate and, from most countries, a rabies antibody titration test. No more than 5 animals may travel together.
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Living
Deposit return schemes and plastic bags
Poland has had a national deposit return system for drinks packaging since 1 October 2025: PLN 0.50 on single-use plastic bottles up to 3 litres and metal cans up to 1 litre, PLN 1 on reusable glass bottles up to 1.5 litres. Plastic carrier bags supplied in shops carry a recycling fee of PLN 0.20 per bag, except very light bags for hygiene or loose food.
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Home education
Poland requires education until age 18, and the school duty starts in the year a child turns 7. Parents can educate a child outside school only with an authorisation from the head of the school where the child is enrolled. The child must sit annual classification exams at that school.
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Maximum working time
Working time may not exceed 8 hours a day and 40 hours on average in a five-day week over a settlement period. Weekly working time including overtime may not exceed 48 hours on average. Employees get 11 hours of daily rest and 35 hours of weekly rest.
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Registering residence for longer stays
Foreigners in Poland must register their address with the municipality, except for stays of up to 30 days. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens have until the 30th day after arrival; other foreigners until the 4th day. EU citizens staying more than three months must also register their stay and receive a certificate valid for 10 years.
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Smoke alarms in homes
Poland requires at least one autonomous smoke alarm in each dwelling under the fire protection regulation, applying from 1 January 2030 to dwellings already in use. Rooms and units that provide hotel services, such as short-term rentals, had to comply from 30 June 2026. Rooms where fuel is burned also need a carbon monoxide detector.
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Statutory minimum wage
Poland has a national statutory minimum wage of PLN 4,806 a month from 1 January 2026. The Council of Ministers adopted PLN 4,950 a month from 1 January 2027. The figure is the same across regions, sectors and qualifications.
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Restrictions
Cannabis
Poland treats possession of cannabis as a criminal offence, punishable by up to 3 years in prison. For a small quantity for own use, proceedings can be discontinued. Growing cannabis other than fibre hemp and trading in it are offences; compounded medicines from cannabis are available on prescription.
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Drinking age and alcohol sales
In Poland alcoholic drinks may not be sold or served to anyone under 18, to people who appear intoxicated, or on credit. Drinking in public places is banned except where drinks are sold for consumption on the spot. Sale needs a municipal licence and is banned in places such as schools, workplaces and public transport.
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Drones
Poland applies the EU drone rules, run by the Civil Aviation Authority (ULC). Operators of drones of 250 g or more, or with a camera or similar sensor, register for free, and pilots complete online training (minimum age 14). Direct remote ID is required for C1, C2, C3, C5 and C6 drones.
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Tobacco and nicotine age limits
Poland sets 18 as the minimum age for tobacco, e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. Smoking and vaping are banned in workplaces, bars and restaurants, other indoor public premises and public transport. Tobacco products with a characterising flavour are banned.
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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.