Published: February 20, 2025
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Poland Travel Advisory and Poland Country Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
U.S. Embassy Warsaw
Aleje Ujazdowskie 29/31, 00-540 Warsaw.
Tel: +48 (22) 504-2000
Emergencies: +48-22-504-2639; Hours: 0830 – 1700, Monday – Friday
U.S. Consulate Krakow
ul. Stolarska 9, 31-043 Kraków.
Tel: +48 (12) 424 5100, 5183, or 5122
U.S. Consular Agency Poznan
ul. Paderewskiego 8, 61-770 Poznań
Tel: +48 (61) 851-8516
OSAC Country Chapter(s)
The OSAC Country Chapters in Warsaw and Krakow are active.
Contact OSAC’s Europe team with any questions.
Poland Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should exercise normal precautions in Poland.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Warsaw and Kraków as being LOW-threat locations for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Poland.
The crime emergency line in Poland is 112. This emergency number is available free of charge throughout the European Union (EU), both from landlines and mobile phones. It can also be dialed from a phone without a SIM card. English speaking operators are available when requested during calls.
Poland has one of the lowest crime rates in Europe. Based on the available data, Poland did not observe a significant increase in overall crime rates. Certain categories, such as homicides and thefts, showed slight decreases, while others, like robberies, experienced a modest rise. Despite being recognized as one of the safest countries in Europe, Poland is not entirely immune to crime, including violent ones. It is crucial to note that, while comparatively rare, instances of theft, assault, and other serious offenses do occur.
In Poland, residential burglary trends have evolved over recent years, demonstrating a shift in the methods employed by criminals. Predominantly, burglars exploit vulnerabilities in the physical security of residences, such as poorly secured doors and windows, or inadequate lighting that provides cover of darkness. Often, these illicit activities spike during vacation seasons when many houses are vacant. Moreover, there is a noticeable pattern of burglaries being committed in the late afternoon or early evening, when residents are typically away, commuting or engaged in after-school activities. It is essential to be informed about these trends to enhance residential security and mitigate the risk of burglary.
Organized crime in Poland, despite its decline since the late 1990s, continues to persist with a focus primarily on cross-border illicit activities. Given Poland's strategic location along the eastern border of the Schengen Zone, it has inadvertently become a hotspot for diverse criminal operations. Particularly prevalent are the trafficking of stolen vehicles, drugs, cigarettes, and human beings. These operations, often sophisticated and well-coordinated, pose significant challenges to authorities. Despite robust regulation, the gaming and casino industry is not immune to this influence. Some establishments have been linked to organized crime, indicating a potential avenue for money laundering and other illicit financial activities. The continuing presence and complexity of these organized crime elements underscore the multifaceted challenges Poland faces in its efforts to ensure national security and public safety.
Since the onset of Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine, the Polish government has provided over $3 billion in aid to Ukraine. Additionally, approximately 80% of international military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine transits through Poland, primarily through Rzeszow in the southeast. These circumstances may increase opportunities for criminal elements or other hostile actors to target Poland.
In Poland, various forms of theft, including pickpocketing, represent the most common type of crime. This issue significantly impacts not only the locals but also tourists from the U.S. and other countries. Areas with large crowds, such as Kraków's Market Square and Warsaw's Old Town, have become hotspots for these petty crimes. In these bustling locations, thieves often find it easy to blend in, carrying out their illicit activities undetected. Transit hubs like train stations are particular targets, with travelers burdened by luggage becoming an easy mark. These criminals often operate in groups, skillfully creating diversions to rob their unsuspecting victims. Public buses and trams are also common locations for these incidents. Passports and personal items from luggage, backpacks, or purses are typically the most frequently stolen items. Safeguard your belongings in public areas and do not leave valuables in plain sight inside of vehicles.
While Poland is generally considered a safe country, there are instances of assault, primarily in nightlife settings. Often fueled by alcohol, these incidents tend to occur between the late-night hours of midnight and 6:00 a.m. If someone directs you to pull over or signals that something is wrong, if you can, continue driving until you reach a safe spot, such as a crowded gas station, supermarket, or police station, to inspect your vehicle.
According to reports from the U.S. Embassy, there has been an alarming trend of exorbitant credit card bills linked to nightclubs, particularly those in city centers, suggesting the practice of paying in cash to avoid such circumstances. Additionally, incidents of aggression and physical assault by nightclub security staff have been reported. To mitigate risks, travel in groups, particularly when visiting popular nightlife areas or tourist spots like the Market Square in Kraków or Old Town in Warsaw. Exercising restraint in alcohol consumption and avoiding confrontations can significantly reduce the likelihood of such incidents.
Sporting events in Poland, particularly soccer matches, have occasionally been marred by instances of violence. These disturbances, often led by hooligan elements within the fanbase, can escalate into serious conflicts and violence.
When traveling in Poland, it's crucial to ensure the safety and security of your finances. Always opt to change your money at banks or legitimate exchange kiosks (kantor), and use ATMs located at commercial banks, large hotels, shopping malls, or airports to maximize security and minimize potential fraud. Do not display cash or other valuables unnecessarily in public view. Credit cards are also widely used and accepted in most nearly all establishments and businesses.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Poland.
While Poland is generally considered a safe destination for travelers, instances of kidnapping, albeit rare, do occur, primarily targeting wealthy individuals or their family members for ransom. These incidents, while statistically infrequent, underscore the necessity for heightened vigilance, especially among the affluent populace. Despite these occurrences, the U.S. Department of State has not deemed it necessary to include a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on its Travel Advisory for Poland, reflecting the overall low risk of such incidents for travelers and the general public. However, it is always prudent for individuals to stay aware of their surroundings and maintain a low profile, regardless of their financial status.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Warsaw and Kraków as being LOW-threat locations for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Poland.
Despite the general trend in many parts of the world, Poland has remained largely untouched by terrorism. The country does not have any indigenous terrorism, and there are no known terrorist organizations operating within its borders. This can be attributed to a combination of effective domestic security measures and Poland's international political positioning. It is important, however, to remain vigilant, as global terrorism dynamics continue to evolve and change unpredictably.
Terrorist groups and those inspired by such organizations are intent on attacking U.S. citizens abroad. Terrorists worldwide are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack – including knives, firearms, and vehicles – to more effectively target crowds. They may target high-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.); hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists; places of worship; schools; parks; tourism infrastructure; shopping malls and markets; and public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights).
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Warsaw and Kraków as being LOW-threat locations for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Poland. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
Poland is a republic with multiparty democracy. The bicameral parliament consists of an upper house (Senat) and a powerful lower house (Sejm). The president and the Council of Ministers headed by the prime minister share executive power.
Parliamentary elections were held in Poland on October 15, 2023 to elect members of the Senate and Sejm. The Law and Justice Party (PiS), which held a majority in the Sejm since 2015, lost its parliamentary majority in these elections and became the largest opposition party. Andrzej Duda, a PiS-leaning independent, is the current President of Poland. The new government, led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, was sworn in on December 13, 2023, after eight years of rule by the PiS party. In their preliminary conclusions, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) stated that “election day was calm, voters enthusiastically turned out in large numbers, and the process was well-managed in the limited number of polling stations visited.”
The cabinet ministers represent Donald Tusk’s Civic Coalition (KO), Poland 2050 (PL2050), the Polish People’s Party (PSL), and the Left (Lewica), with KO being the largest member. These parties comprised most of the opposition during eight years of government under the Law and Justic Party (PiS). Poland's recent elections have underscored the country's political stability and commitment to democratic principles. Prime Minister Donald Tusk leads a center-left coalition government that assumed office in December 2023. The elections were conducted peacefully, with a high voter turnout and a well-managed process, reflecting Poland's robust democratic practices. The nation is characterized by a diverse media landscape, a vibrant civil society, and dynamic, polarized domestic politics, all of which contribute to its resilient and active political environment.
The next parliamentary elections are scheduled for 2027, while the next presidential election will take place in May 2025.
Protests & Demonstrations
Demonstrations are a regular occurrence but are generally orderly and peaceful. They can range from a few individuals to thousands. Polish Independence Day celebrations typically occur on November 11 and includes many demonstrations, rallies, and marches in downtown Warsaw. Violent incidents have occurred in previous years during these demonstrations, which have attracted national groups, sometimes espousing xenophobic slogans. The event, in the past, has also drawn far-right sympathizers from other European countries. Football supporters with far-right slogans as well as anti-abortion rights groups have also been present in past events. Climate-change activists have also tried to draw attention to their cause by placing themselves along the march’s route.
Tension between Poland and Ukraine have translated into protests over the issue of the importation of Ukrainian grain onto Polish domestic markets and unfair competition by Ukrainian counterparts. Despite reaching an agreement with the Polish government in January 2024, Polish farmers and truckers continued to protest EU climate policies and imports from Ukraine in early 2024. Protests in March 2024 turned violent with farmers and supporters throwing stones at police and attempting to push through barriers around Parliament. Police used tear gas and detained dozens of protestors to prevent them from getting through to the Sejm. Since November 2023, Polish truckers have severely impeded commercial transit through key border crossings with Ukraine, increasing wait times at the border to days. Polish truckers claim Ukrainian transport companies are taking transport jobs the Ukrainians are not legally allowed to perform under EU regulations, limiting work for Polish companies, who otherwise dominate the EU trucking sector.
Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful may turn violent. Avoid areas where you see heavy police presence or crowds assembling; exercise caution if within the vicinity of any large public gatherings; and stay away from demonstrations. The U.S. Embassy is located near the prime minister’s chancellery, Parliament, various government ministries, and other embassies. While demonstrations rarely target U.S. interests or policies, the U.S. Embassy faces a major north-south traffic artery often used by demonstrators, and experiences disruptions from popular demonstrations. Traffic and public transportation may also be affected and disrupted during large demonstrations.
Demonstrations in Kraków are much less frequent, and typically draw much smaller crowds than Warsaw. The U.S. Consulate General in Kraków is near the German and French Consulates. Occasionally, small demonstrations target these diplomatic missions, but they generally have little impact on Consulate operations.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
Expressions of anti-U.S. sentiment are notably minimal if present at all.
Law Enforcement
Below is an overview of some key security and emergency services in Poland that play significant roles in ensuring the safety and security of U.S. diplomats, U.S. citizens, and U.S. businesses operating within the country. This list is not exhaustive but provides a snapshot of the entities most closely aligned with these issues.
The Polish National Police (PNP) is the primary law enforcement agency in the country, functioning at both regional and municipal levels. The PNP falls under the administration of the Ministry of Interior and encompasses the Antiterrorist Operations Bureau (BOA). The BOA is a specialized unit focused on counterterrorism activities and is instrumental in maintaining public order and security at both the national and local levels.
Running in parallel to the PNP, the Polish Border Guard (Straż Graniczna or SG) is another entity under the Ministry of Interior and Administration. Their responsibility lies in securing national borders and addressing issues related to irregular migration.
Bolstering the country's internal security further is the Internal Security Agency (Agencja Bezpieczeństwa Wewnętrznego or ABW). This agency primarily focuses on counterintelligence and potential terrorist threats, but it also has the authority to counteract organized crime and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Fighting against corruption in Poland is the responsibility of the Central Anticorruption Bureau (Centralne Biuro Antykorupcyjne or CBA). The CBA specifically targets corruption within government entities, businesses, and financial sectors, with a particular focus on transactions involving public funds.
It's important to note that despite these security forces being effectively controlled by civilian authorities, there have been documented instances of abuses committed by some members of these law enforcement entities.
Police Response
In Poland, it is not necessary to be proficient in Polish when interacting with police and emergency services. The operators staffing the 112 call centers are typically proficient in multiple languages, English included, offering significant assistance to non-Polish speakers. Furthermore, the professionalism and cooperative nature of Polish police officers are commendable, ensuring all interactions are handled with utmost respect and efficiency. Police response time is comparable to the U.S., but can be affected by poor weather, number of incoming calls, as well as traffic and construction.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Poland, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Poland. If you are arrested or detained, ask the police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy or Consulate immediately. Under Polish law, a person with Polish and U.S. citizenship is deemed to be a Polish citizen; however, dual U.S.-Polish nationals may still ask to see a U.S. consular officer.
The law provides criminal penalties for corruption by officials, and criminal prosecutions for official corruption occurred. Poland has laws, regulations, and penalties aimed at combating corruption of public officials and counteracting conflicts of interest. Anti-corruption laws extend to family members of officials and to members of political parties who are members of Parliament. There are also anti-corruption laws regulating the finances of political parties. According to a local NGO, an increasing number of companies are implementing voluntary internal codes of ethics.
The Polish Central Anti-Corruption Bureau (CBA) and national police investigate public corruption. The Justice Ministry and the police are responsible for enforcing Poland’s anti-corruption criminal laws. The Finance Ministry administers tax collection and is responsible for denying the tax deductibility of bribes. Reports of alleged corruption most frequently appear in connection with government contracting and the issuance of a regulation or permit that benefits a particular company. Allegations of corruption by customs and border guard officials, tax authorities, and local government officials show a decreasing trend. If such corruption is proven, it is usually punished.
Cybersecurity
The government does not restrict or disrupt access to the internet or censor online content, and there are no credible reports that the government monitored private online communications or email without appropriate legal authority. The law authorizes the Internal Security Agency (ABW) to block websites without a prior court order in cases relating to combating, preventing, and prosecuting terrorist crimes; to shut down telecommunications networks when there is a terrorist threat; and to conduct surveillance of foreign nationals for up to three months without a court order.
Globally, cybersecurity is an increasing concern due to the prevalence of digital infrastructure in both public and private sectors. Poland, like many other nations, has experienced a range of cyber threats, including phishing scams, malware attacks, and data breaches. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Poland became one of the most targeted countries for cyber-attacks, and has been the target of Russian disinformation and meddling attempts in the lead up to its presidential elections in May.
Recognizing the importance of cybersecurity, the Polish government has taken proactive measures to protect the nation's digital ecosystem. These efforts align with the global trend towards stronger cybersecurity initiatives and demonstrate Poland's commitment to maintaining the integrity and safety of its cyberspace.
In some ways, Polish intellectual property rights (IPR) law is considered more strict than European Commission directives require. The new government formed in December 2023 is drafting legislation to adhere to EU directives that should further improve the IP legal framework: the EU 2019 Digital Single Market (DSM) Copyright Directive (2019/790) and Digital Service Act (DSA).
Import/Export Restrictions
A variety of goods and commodities are subject to import (and export) restrictions to protect the safety and lives of humans, animals and plants, safeguard national security, or to protect artistic, cultural or intellectual property. Examples are restrictions and controls on the import of certain food products, drugs, pharmaceuticals, environmentally hazardous products, seeds, weapons, explosives, and antiques. Polish Customs enforce strict regulations concerning the export of items such as works of art.
Polish Law prohibits possession of firearms or ammunition without proper permits. In Poland, it is illegal to possess, carry, transport, import or export arms or ammunition without proper authorization. Polish law broadly defines the meaning of “arms” to include items that may put life or health at risk, which may include parts of firearms or ammunition. Travelers who were in possession of military items without proper permits have been arrested.
Polish Customs enforces strict regulations concerning the export of items such as works of art. Contact the Polish Embassy in Washington, D.C., or a Polish consulate in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, or Houston for specific information regarding customs requirements.
There are no known restrictions on the import and use of satellite phones or similar devices.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
