travelling to poland how long left on passport

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• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

Entry requirements

This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Poland set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact Poland’s embassy or consulate in the UK .

COVID-19 rules

Countries may restrict travel or bring in rules at short notice. Check with your travel provider for changes.

If you test positive for COVID-19, you may need to stay where you are until you test negative. You may also need to get treatment there.

Read TravelHealthPro’s general COVID-19 advice for travellers .

Passport validity requirements

To travel to Poland, you must follow the Schengen area passport requirements .

To enter Poland (and all Schengen countries) your passport must:

• have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive. Passports issued after 1 October 2018 are now valid for only 10 years, but for passports issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added if you renewed a passport early
• have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave

Contact the Polish embassy in the UK if your passport does not meet both these requirements.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document, or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual Nationals

If you are also a Polish national (dual nationality), you must enter and exit Poland using a Polish passport or Polish national identity card. There are regular cases of Polish border guards allowing dual nationals to enter on their British passport, but only allowing exit using a valid Polish passport or Polish ID card.

Children born to Polish national or British-Polish dual national parents in the UK are automatically granted Polish citizenship, regardless of the child’s place of birth, and the requirement to exit Poland using valid Polish documentation will apply.

Find more information on how to apply for a Polish passport in the UK before travelling to Poland from the Polish Embassy in London (in Polish). Check with the Polish Embassy in London if in doubt about your circumstances.

Passport stamping

Make sure you get your passport stamped.

If you’re a visitor, your passport must be stamped when you enter or leave the Schengen area (which includes Poland). Border guards will use passport stamps to check you haven’t overstayed the 90-day visa-free limit for stays in the Schengen area. If your passport was not stamped, border guards will presume you have overstayed the visa-free limit.

If your passport was not stamped, show evidence of when and where you entered or left the Schengen area (for example, boarding passes or tickets) and ask the border guards to add the date and location in your passport.

If you live in Poland, read our Living in Poland guide for passport stamping information.

At the Polish border, you may need to:

• show a return or onward ticket
• show you have enough money for your stay

If you live in Poland, see our Living in Poland guide for entry requirements and the Polish Border Guards guidance .

Visa requirements

You can travel to countries in the Schengen area (including Poland) for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel:

• as a tourist
• to visit family or friends
• to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events
• for short-term studies or training

If you are travelling to Poland and other Schengen countries without a visa, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day limit. Visits to Schengen countries within the previous 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days.

To stay longer, to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons, you will need to meet the Polish government’s entry requirements. Check with the Polish Embassy what type of visa and/or work permit you may need.

If you are travelling to Poland for work , read the guidance on visas and permits.

If you stay in Poland with a residence permit or long-stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit.

Vaccination requirements (other than COVID-19)

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the vaccinations and certificates you need in TravelHealthPro’s Poland guide .

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods that can be brought into and taken out of Poland. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking food and drink into the EU

You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries. There are some exceptions for medical reasons, for example certain amounts of powdered infant milk, infant food, or pet food needed for medical reasons.  Check the rules about taking food and drink into the EU  on the European Commission website.

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Introducing Poland

• About Poland
• Images of Poland
• History, language & culture
• Weather & geography
• Doing business & staying in touch

Plan your trip

• Travel to Poland
• Where to stay

While you’re there

• Things to see & do
• Shopping & nightlife
• Food & drink
• Getting around

Before you go

• Passport & visa
• Public Holidays
• Money & duty free

Book your flights

• Cracow John Paul II International Airport
• Gdansk Lech Walesa Airport
• Katowice International Airport
• Poznan-Lawica Airport
• Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport
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• Wrocław-Copernicus Airport

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Poland visa and passport requirements.

EU nationals : When travelling from one border-free Schengen country to another by car, you are not required to show a passport or national ID card. However, transport providers like airlines, train operators and ferry companies will require you to show your passport or ID card to prove your identity.

Non-EU nationals : To enter Poland, you must have a valid passport issued within the past ten years and with at least three or six months left (depending on your nationality). You must also have a return ticket and sufficient funds for the length of stay.

Poland is a member of the Schengen Agreement, but beware that EU members such as Cyprus and Ireland are not part of the Schengen area, so a passport or ID card is required if travelling to/from these countries.

EU nationals : You don't need a visa for Poland if the stay is less than 90 day. Those who plan to stay longer will need a residence permit.

Non-EU nationals : The complete list of countries and territories whose nationals can visit Poland and any other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in a 180-day period are as follows: Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kosovo, Macao, Malaysia, Marshal Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu and Venezuela.

• Hong Kong and Macao: holders of SAR passports do not need a visa. • Taiwan: holders of passports issued by Taiwan which include an identity card number do not need a visa. • Serbia: holders of biometric passports do not need a visa, excluding holders of passports issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate. • Vanuatu: holders of passports issued on or after 25 May 2015 do not need a visa. • Nationals from micro-states within an EU country (Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City) also do not need a visa.

For nationals from countries not listed here, please contact the nearest embassy to check the visa requirements for Poland.

For more information about Schengen visas, follow the link to the article A guide to Schengen visas .

ETIAS travel authorisation : Starting in mid 2025, all visitors who currently do not need a visa to visit 30 European countries will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation .

Types and Cost

Schengen visa €80 for those who are above 12 years old, €40 for children aged six to 12, and free for children below six.

Nationals from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia pay €35.

In addition, the visa fee is waived for the following applicants: • School pupils, students, postgraduate students and accompanying teachers who undertake stays for the purpose of study or educational training. • Researchers from third countries travelling for the purpose of carrying out scientific research. • Representatives of non-profit organisations aged 25 years or less participating in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events organised by non-profit organisations. • Family members of EU/EEA (European Economic Area) citizens, falling under Directive 2004/38.

Up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Citizens of some countries need an airport transit visa when transiting through international parts of any airports within the Schengen countries, whereas citizens of certain countries are only required a transit visa for some of the Schengen countries. If you are not from a Schengen visa exempt country, please check with a consulate of Poland near you.

Application to

Contact the embassy, high commission or consulate.

Schengen Visas

Poland is a Schengen country, so the Schengen visa scheme applies.

Temporary residence

EU nationals: Will need to obtain a residence permit if the stay is more than 90 days. You must prove that you are an employee or a self-employed person, with sufficient financial resources to support yourself (and your family members, if applicable), along with adequate health insurance. If you're seeking a job in Poland, you may be able to stay for six months, provided that you are actively seeking employment and can demonstrate your employability.

Non-EU nationals: Will need a visa if the stay is more than 90 days.

Working days

Schengen visa applications usually take 15 calendar days, but sometimes up to 45 days. Be mindful of the national holidays in Poland as they may affect the processing time. It is recommended to submit applications at least four weeks prior to departure.

Sufficient Funds

Schengen visa applicants must be able to provide proof of funds to cover their stay.

Extension of stay

Schengen visa holders with a visa valid for less than 90 days can only extend their visas in exceptional circumstances, such as force majeure or for humanitarian reasons.

Entry with pets

When bringing a pet from another EU country, the animal must have a microchip or tattoo, an EU pet passport and a valid rabies vaccination certificate (the vaccination must have taken place at least 21 days prior to travel). Animals from outside the EU must also have an ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15-digit microchip. Depending on whether your pet is from a high-rabies country or a rabies-controlled country, your pet either has to be vaccinated first or microchipped first. For pets from high-rabies countries, a rabies titer test also has to be administered 30 days after the vaccination. A veterinary certificate issued by an authorised veterinarian is also required when entering Poland with a pet from outside of the EU.

Please check with the consulate directly for the appropriate procedures.

Embassies and tourist offices

British embassy in poland.

Mon-Fri 0830-1630.

Embassy of the Republic of Poland in the UK

Embassy of the republic of poland in the usa.

Mon-Fri 0900-1500.

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Passport Validity Period for Travel to Europe

Many European countries ("the Schengen states") require that your passport be valid for at least three months beyond your planned date of departure from the Schengen area.  For more information see the Department of State's Schengen web page at http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/go/schengen-fact-sheet.html .

How to Enter Poland

Do i need a passport or visa to enter, special travel circumstances in poland.

If you import more than 10,000 Euros cash equivalent (currency, traveler's checks, and other cash instruments) as part of the arrival process, you must complete a form to declare it. You should have this form stamped by Polish customs and retain it for presentation on departure. Undeclared cash may be confiscated upon departure and you may also be prosecuted for carrying undeclared cash. Most banks now cash traveler's checks, ATMs are readily available, and credit cards are widely accepted. Polish customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning the export of items, such as works of art. Works created more than 50 years ago or considered to be of high cultural or material value may be legally exported only with permission from the Provincial Conservator of Relics, even if you imported it only temporarily (e.g., for an exhibit or performance). You should declare the item to customs upon entry and carry proof of ownership in order to avoid problems on departure. Contact the Polish Embassy in Washington, D.C., or one of the Polish consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements.

You are responsible for ensuring that you meet and comply with foreign entry requirements, health requirements and that you possess the appropriate travel documents. Information provided is subject to change without notice. One should confirm content prior to traveling from other reliable sources. Information published on this website may contain errors. You travel at your own risk and no warranties or guarantees are provided by us.

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6 things you should know about Polish passport

Being able to call yourself a Polish citizen sounds great, doesn’t it? If you are looking for help with applying for a Polish passport or maybe you are still not sure if you could get it – stay with us for a moment. As you may probably know, we assist people with their special needs.

No matter if you are interested in getting a Polish passport or you would like to find out if your ancestors held Polish citizenship, we are here to help you. Thus, we have prepared a brief guide, in which you will find 6 things you should know about Polish passport.

1. Who is eligible for a Polish passport?

You are eligible for a Polish passport if at least one of your ancestors was born in Poland or one of the former territories of Poland and resided there after 1920. We just need to prove that Polish citizenship was not lost on the way by any of your family members.

2. Is a Polish passport a European Union passport?

Yes, it is! Poland has been a member of the European Union since 2004 and therefore, with Polish citizenship, you automatically become a European Union citizen and a Polish passport is equal to a European Union passport.

3. If I do decide on a Polish passport, what are the advantages?

• With a Polish passport, you can travel freely within Europe and not only. There are no border controls inside the EU and special gates for EU citizens at the airport if you enter Europe out of the Schengen zone.
• With a Polish passport, you can live everywhere within the EU. EU countries are open for you. What does it really mean? You can live everywhere without any limits or restrictions. This right extends to your family members e.g. spouse, children, even if they didn’t hold a Polish passport. 
• With a Polish passport, you can work everywhere within the EU. The European Union job market will become open and widely available for you. Once you apply for Polish citizenship and get a Polish passport, you will not need any visa or permission to work in any of the EU countries. The same would apply to opening business in Poland or anywhere in the EU. 
• With a Polish passport, you can study for free at many public universities or get reduced fees.
• With a Polish passport, you get the benefits of dual citizenship. You can use whichever passport is more convenient while applying for visas or entering countries outside Europe (e.g. Asia).

4. What documents do I need to get a Polish passport?

In order to apply for your Polish passport you need to be Polish citizen and possess the following documents:

• Polish Citizenship Confirmation,
• Polish birth certificate,
• Polish marriage certificate (if applicable),
• Passport and PESEL application filled in Polish,
• Passport photo.

5. How do I apply for a Polish passport?

Once you have your Polish citizenship confirmed, you would need to lodge your Polish passport application with the nearest Polish Consulate or General Polish Embassy with Consular services. We may assist you with that step as well! We will help you with preparing an application for your Polish passport. It usually takes around 2-3 months to have a Polish passport issued.

6. How strong is a Polish passport?

A Polish passport is an international travel document issued to nationals of Poland, and may also serve as proof of Polish citizenship. Besides enabling the bearer to travel internationally and serving as an indication of Polish citizenship, the Polish passport facilitates the process of securing assistance from Polish consular officials abroad or other European Union member states in case a Polish consular is absent.

According to the 2021 Visa Restrictions Index, Polish citizens can visit 183 countries without a visa or with a visa granted on arrival. This ranks Polish passport on 10 th  place in terms of travel freedom (according to Henley Passport Index). Polish citizenship will allow you to live and work in any country within the EU as a result of the right of free movement and residence granted in Article 21 of the EU Treaty.

What’s more, every Polish citizen is also a citizen of the European Union. The Polish passport, along with the national identity card allows for free rights of movement and residence in any of the states of the European Union, European Economic Area, and Switzerland.

Barbara Cebula

How to get Polish citizenship by descent through Five to Europe, a Polish based company?

Polish citizenship follows the “right of blood” rule which means that a Polish parent passes it to his or her child at birth. If you have Polish ancestry, you know that someone from your family came from Poland or what used to be Polish territory, likely you are eligible for Polish citizenship by descent. It is also necessary to prove that your Polish ancestor left Poland after 1920, or provide an official and legal document issued by the Polish Government after 1920.

Becoming a Polish citizen by right of blood

Polish citizenship is passed by “the right of blood”. If one of the parents holds Polish citizenship (or is a person of Polish descent), it is passed to the child irrespective of whether the child was born in Poland or abroad. It also applies to people born in countries with the “right of soil” e.g. USA. If you were born in the USA to at least one Polish parent (or a parent of Polish descent – to your Polish grandparents), you can claim Polish citizenship despite the fact you acquired US citizenship at your birth.

How to get passport of Poland based on descent?

Obtaining a Polish passport based on descent involves a process known as “confirmation of Polish citizenship.” If you have Polish ancestry and can prove your descent from Polish citizens, you may be eligible to apply for confirmation of citizenship, which can then lead to obtaining a Polish passport.

Five to Europe

Discover endless possibilities working, studying and living in Europe with European Citizenship.

Why choose Us

We have vast experience, education and most of all knowledge about Polish citizenship law and regulations so we can assure you, you will be in good and professional hands.

Barbara Cebula Polish Citizenship Specialist

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How long do you need on your passport to travel to Poland? - Poland Forum

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Need to know how long you can have on your passport to visit Poland?

Me? I don't even need a passport, ID card is enough, and I could stay as long as I like.

Hi You need to tell us your nationality ? Cheers Chris :>0

What is this, schoolwork?

What I said applies to all EU citizenships.

This post was determined to be inappropriate by the Tripadvisor community and has been removed.

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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I have just realised I will have exactly 3 months left on my passport when I travel to Poland in a few weeks time - will this be ok or do they require you to have at least 6 months remaining?

It's perfectly fine. Read this thread and don't worry:

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g274772-i961-k6076906-Passport_expires_soon-Krakow_Lesser_Poland_Province_Southern_Poland.html

FCO website says : Passport validity

But be aware that some airlines look for at least six months validity before they let you board - call yours and check

Thanks for the information!

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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I have just realised I will have exactly 3 months left on my passport when I travel to Poland in a few weeks time - will this be ok or do they require you to have at least 6 months remaining?

It's perfectly fine. Read this thread and don't worry:

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g274772-i961-k6076906-Passport_expires_soon-Krakow_Lesser_Poland_Province_Southern_Poland.html

FCO website says : Passport validity

But be aware that some airlines look for at least six months validity before they let you board - call yours and check

Thanks for the information!

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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How long must I have left on my passport to travel to Poland - Poland Forum

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I have just realised I will have exactly 3 months left on my passport when I travel to Poland in a few weeks time - will this be ok or do they require you to have at least 6 months remaining?

It's perfectly fine. Read this thread and don't worry:

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g274772-i961-k6076906-Passport_expires_soon-Krakow_Lesser_Poland_Province_Southern_Poland.html

FCO website says : Passport validity

But be aware that some airlines look for at least six months validity before they let you board - call yours and check

Thanks for the information!

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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• Rules for travelling with a soon-to-be expired passport

People can often forget to check the expiration date on their passports before travelling, assuming that as long as it’s in date then they will be fine. Crucially, a lot of countries still need a certain amount of time on a passport before they allow you in. Find out whether you can travel when your passport is about to expire with our handy guide.

How long should you have left on your passport?

Many people  pack their bags for a holiday or business trip with just a casual glance at their passport expiration date, but if it’s due to expire you may be refused entry. While most countries such as Australia, Canada and the USA just need your passport to be valid for the length of your stay,

other countries such as China, Thailand, Egypt and Turkey need at least six months. Always check the specific entry requirements for the country you are visiting on the GOV.UK website. You should make sure that your passport meets the following rules:

• The passport issue date is less than 10 years before day of arrival in the EU
• The passport expiry date is at least three months after intended day of departure from EU

In general, many countries that require a visa to enter will require at least six months validity on your passport when entering the country, so make sure you find out whether your passport has long enough before it expires before you travel.

It's easy to get your passport application or renewal right first time.

How do i find out how long i need on my passport.

The best way to find out if your passport is valid for travel to certain countries is to check the Travel Advice section of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) website. Choose the country you’re visiting, before clicking on ‘Entry requirements’ and scrolling down to ‘Passport validity’.

Passport rules for different countries

All countries will have their own rules concerning passport validity and expiration rules. Here’s a list of the most common ones:

Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay.

Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay, but if you have less than six months validity it may take longer to pass through immigration control.

Your passport should have at least six months validity.

European Union

For most European countries, HM Passport Office recommend that the passport expiry date is at least three months after intended day of departure from EU. Those countries are:

*However, if you’re travelling to the north of Cyprus, your passport should have at least six months validity.

Czech Republic

Netherlands

Your passport must be machine readable, with two blank pages for your visa and valid for a minimum of 180 days at the time of entry into India.

New Zealand

Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of one month from the date of exit.

South Africa

Rules state that your passport should be valid for at least 30 days from the date of exit, but it’s recommended that you have at least six months on your passport before it expires. Your passport should also have at least two blank pages when you enter or leave South Africa.

Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay. However, your passport must be a biometric ePassport with the silver camera symbol on the front. There are also a number of other rules concerning entry to the USA , which you should check before travelling.

What to do if you need a new passport

If you need to renew your passport and have more than four weeks before you travel, pick up an application form from your local Post Office or use our online Passport Check & Send process.

If you need your passport more urgently, then read the Government’s official passport advice to find out more on soon to expire passports.

Want to get your new passport application or renewal right first time?

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Return to Passport Expiration FAQ.

More Passport & Travel Information

Top 5 questions about expedited passport couriers.

1. How can you get a passport when you're in a hurry? 2. What exactly does a passport expediter do? 3. Are passport expediting services legitimate? 4. How can I identify a reliable passport expeditor? 5. Is expedited passport service worth it?

You can also visit our library of articles about passport expediting .

In a Hurry? Get Reliable Expedited Passport Courier Service: Expedite My U.S.Passport Now!

• PL - polski

Poland in the UK

Temporary passport for an adult.

You can apply for a passport in any Polish consular office. Please note that you need to apply for and collect your new passport in the same office.

IMPORTANT!  Honorary consuls cannot issue temporary passports.

Yes, you need to file a passport application in person.

You can book your appointment to apply for a passport via the  e-Consulate  system.

• We would like to inform you that the only way to obtain passport visits in the Consular and Polish Diaspora Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in London is by registering to the passport waiting list via the  e-Consulate  system.
• The waiting time for a date of the visit to be set and offered to you is between 5 and 6 weeks. At any given time as many as five thousand persons may be registered to the waiting list.
• If you are not able to register to the waiting list it may be due to the waiting list being temporarily full. New appointment slots are offered on a rolling basis, thus please check the e-Konsulat website frequently to register.

IMPORTANT!  You no longer need to fill out the passport application in paper. Your passport application will be filed electronically during your visit in a consular office. A consular officer will file your application using an electronic form. You will just need to confirm all your data are correct and sign your application on a dedicated device (signature pad).

• A colour biometric photograph –  read what the photo should look like . Filing the photograph together with the application is mandatory.  You cannot replace the photograph or send it later . If no photograph is attached to your application or the photograph does not comply with requirements, we will notify you that your passport application will have been rejected.
• A valid passport / temporary passport or a valid identity card (if issued) confirming your identity and Polish citizenship. IMPORTANT!  If you apply for a temporary passport and there are justified doubts as to your identity, citizenship or other details required to file a passport application, the consul may ask you to submit additional necessary documents.
• Bring an abridged or unabridged copy of your Polish birth certificate if you do not have the PESEL number.
• Bring an abridged or unabridged copy of your Polish marriage certificate if you do not have the PESEL number and you got married. This document must be submitted by both men and women, whether they have changed their names upon marriage or not.
• If your surname has changed when you married abroad – bring an abridged or unabridged Polish marriage certificate.

We may ask you to submit additional documents if we cannot establish your identity and / or citizenship based on the data in documents presented or the data available to us in our records and registers, or if the data are unclear or inconsistent:

• an abridged or unabridged copy of your Polish birth certificate,
• an abridged or unabridged copy of your Polish marriage certificate,
• a decision of the province governor confirming your Polish citizenship,
• a valid foreign identity document.

IMPORTANT!  Take your current passport / temporary passport with you when you apply, even if it has expired.

• Fee for a temporary passport issued for the delivery time of the biometric passport is 14 GBP . 
• Fee for a temporary passport issued for other purpose than to cover the biometric passport delivery time is 35 GBP .
• The fees must be paid at the office counter when submitting the application. 
• Accepted forms of payment: cash, postal order made out to the appropriate consular office, credit and debit cards (except at the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Belfast), cheque (only at the Consular and Polish Diaspora Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in London).

IMPORTANT!  Reduced fees do not apply If a temporary passport is issued. Such fees are only applicable to issuing biometric passports.

You will receive the temporary passport as soon as possible.

IMPORTANT! If you are planning to travel abroad with the temporary passport, check current rules of entry and stay of foreigners in the country of destination. Make sure that you can cross the border with the temporary passport and check the required validity period at entry and departure.

You will collect the temporary passport personally in the same office where you submitted the application.

On the collection day of the new document bring your previous passport / temporary passport to the consular office. It will be voided (except for pages with valid visas) and returned to you.

IMPORTANT!  In justified cases, especially if the travel to the consular office is particularly difficult, the consul may waive the requirement of collecting your temporary passport in person. Discuss this when you file the passport application.​​​ Remember that you will have to submit a reasoned written request to the consul (a special form is available at a consular office) and pay the postage. The consul will send your new temporary passport to the indicated address via postal or messenger service operator, ensuring the security of the document if possible.

The consul will void your current passport / temporary passport before the new one is sent to you.

IMPORTANT!  If during your passport visit you have chosen your new temporary passport to be posted to you and you still have your current document with you, and you know that your new passport is ready to be collected, please send your current document to the consul as it has to be voided. The consul will then return your voided document together with the new one.

IMPORTANT!  If you receive your temporary passport by post, you need to activate it yourself, using a  dedicated electronic service . In order to activate your new temporary passport you need to have:

• an Internet access,
• the number of your new temporary passport,
• the application number (which can be found on the confirmation from the consular office).

Please be aware that you can no longer change the method of collecting your document from personal to a courier once you have applied for your new document and chosen to collect your passport in person.

IMPORTANT!  We will not send temporary passports to citizens staying in Poland. It is also not possible to send temporary passports issued by a domestic authority (province governor) to a person staying abroad.

If the consul rejects your application for a temporary passport, you can appeal to the minister for internal affairs through the consul.

You may not appeal a decision refusing to issue you a document if the decision was made on request of a court or another authority conducting proceedings.

Can I get a temporary passport?

A temporary passport may be issued to persons:

• staying outside the territory of the Republic of Poland (if they so wish and file an application for such document to be issued);
• whose fingerprints cannot be physically taken and this obstacle is temporary;
• in urgent situations:

- to return to the place of residence, - related to their illness (an evidence to be provided), - related to illness or burial of a family member (an evidence to be provided), - related to professional activities (an evidence to be provided), - related to compulsory education of persons who do not have capacity for legal transactions or have limited capacity for legal transactions and are under 18 years of age, to the development of their individual skills, or to provide care to such persons if necessary.

IMPORTANT!  A temporary passport is valid for the period stated therein, but not longer than for 365 days from the date of issue.

Can I apply for a temporary passport if I lost my personal ID card and my new 10-year passport is waiting to be collected in Poland?

You can file an application with the consul to issue you a temporary passport to return to Poland. Remember to bring the temporary passport issued by the consul with you when you collect your new passport from the office (in Poland).

I lost my passport. What should I do now?

You must immediately inform the passport authority if you lost your passport. The authority abroad is the consul. On the day when you inform about the loss of your passport, it becomes invalid. IMPORTANT! If you find the passport which you had reported lost in the consulate, you should immediately return it to the passport authority (to the consul if you are abroad).

Legal basis

The Passport Documents Act of 27 January 2022

Regulation of the Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration on passport documents of 9 September 2022

The Consular Law Act of 25 June 2015

Regulation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs on consular fees of 5 May 2022

Passport rule which has left travellers confused and could see you unable to fly

Advice from airlines such as EasyJet, Ryanair and British Airways conflicts with what the UK Government has issued

• 12:09, 10 APR 2022
• Updated 12:12, 10 APR 2022

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Travel restrictions are the most relaxed they've been since the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic in March 2020 and people are jumping at the chance of a trip abroad.

However, some holidaymakers have been caught out by a passport rule that came into force as a result of Brexit , reports the Liverpool Echo . Especially as advice from the UK Government and major airlines is not consistent.

When the UK was still part of the European Union (EU) , your passport simply had to be in date in order to travel across the continent. However, since Brexit, rules around how long your passport needs to be valid have changed.

READ MORE: Ryanair customer's warning after being caught out by 'illegal' car park at Newcastle Airport

With summer coming, now is a good time to check the expiry date on your passport, especially as there have been reports of people waiting 10 weeks or more for a passport renewal to arrive. A tweet from the Passport Office on April 4 said: "Is your passport due to expire? You'll need to allow up to 10 weeks to process your passport application when applying from the UK."

The UK Government website states that UK citizens should have a passport with an expiry date 'valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave.' However, travel association ABTA, warns that how much time needs to be left on your passport depends on where you're travelling to.

It also seems that the required length of time left on your passport depends on which airline you choose to fly with. British Airways , EasyJet and Ryanair all state different policies.

This has led some people to take to social media to get some clarity and ask airlines whether they will be allowed to fly. One asked Ryanair if they'll be fine to travel as the airline stated six months till expiration is required while the Government website says three months.

Another asked EasyJet if she would be able to travel to Portugal with the date six months prior to her passport expiring falling during her trip to Portugal. If you're finding yourself similarly confused about the rules regarding passport expiration dates, take a look at the information below.

Have you had any difficulty travelling since Brexit? Let us know in the comments below.

How long should you have left on your passport?

If your passport expiration date is coming up, you could be denied entry into the country you're visiting. The Post Office website states: "While most countries such as Australia, Canada and the USA, just need your passport to be valid for the length of your stay, other countries such as China, Thailand, Egypt and Turkey need at least six months. You need to have at least six months left on an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe (not including Ireland).

"In general, many countries that require a visa to enter will require at least six months validity on your passport when entering the country, so make sure you find out whether your passport has long enough before it expires before you travel."

Passport rules for different countries

All countries will have their own rules concerning passport validity and expiration rules. Here’s a list of the most common ones:

Australia - Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay.

Barbados - Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay.

Canada - Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay, but if you have less than six months of validity it may take longer to pass through immigration control.

China - Your passport should have at least six months of validity.

Egypt - Your passport should have at least six months of validity.

European Union - For most European countries, HM Passport Office recommend that on the day you travel you have at least three months left on your passport.

Those countries are:

• Czech Republic
• Netherlands

India - Your passport must be machine-readable, with two blank pages for your visa and valid for a minimum of 180 days at the time of entry into India.

Japan - Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay.

Mexico - Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay.

New Zealand - Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of one month from the date of exit.

Singapore - Your passport should have at least six months of validity.

South Africa - Rules state that your passport should be valid for at least 30 days from the date of exit, but it’s recommended that you have at least six months on your passport before it expires. Your passport should also have at least two blank pages when you enter or leave South Africa.

Thailand - Your passport should have at least six months of validity.

Turkey - Your passport should have at least six months of validity.

USA - Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay. However, your passport must be a biometric ePassport with the silver camera symbol on the front. There are also a number of other rules concerning entry to the USA, which you should check before travelling.

Passport rules for different airlines

Ryanair states that you need a valid passport to travel anywhere in the world.

For travel outside the EEA (European Economic Area), the passport must be valid for the period of the intended stay, except for the below countries:

For travel to Jordan, the passport must be valid for six months beyond the period of the intended stay.

For travel to Turkey, the passport must be valid for six months from the date of entry.

For travel to Montenegro, the passport must be valid for at least three months.

For travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the passport must be valid for at least three months.

All non-EU passport holders travelling into a Schengen member country must make sure that their passport is valid for at least three months from the date they will leave the Schengen member country unless the person has a Schengen-issued residence permit or long-term visa.

All customers travelling on international flights must hold either a valid EU/EEA/Swiss National Identity card or Passport, and, where required, a valid Visa. Your passport needs to be in good condition and signed. Some countries require that passports are valid for a minimum period beyond your trip, usually three or six months.

For UK passport holders travelling to the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, please note that on your day of travel you'll need your passport to both: Have at least six months left on it (the requirement of most European countries is to have a minimum of three months left on your passport on the day after your intended departure from the EU); and GBR Passports must be no more than 10 years old on the date of travel

• British Airways

If you're travelling on an international flight, you’ll need a passport or an equivalent travel document that is valid for the full duration of your trip. Your children will also need their own passports, even infants under two years.

All UK passport holders should check the updated government advice regarding passport validity requirements. You are responsible for ensuring you have valid documentation for travel.

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