ETIAS Poland: Travel Authorization to Visit Poland

As the sixth most populous country in the European Union and a rapidly growing tourist destination, Poland attracts millions of visitors each year with its historic cities—Warsaw, Kraków, Gdańsk, and Wrocław—its natural landscapes, and its rich culture. Starting with the launch of ETIAS in the fourth quarter of 2026, nationals of visa-exempt countries—Americans, British, Canadians, Australians, and about 60 other nationalities—will need to obtain an ETIAS authorization before any stay in Poland. This authorization is valid throughout the Schengen Area: a single ETIAS is sufficient to visit Poland and other European countries during the same trip.

Key Information on ETIAS for Poland

Who needs to obtain an ETIAS to visit Poland?

ETIAS is mandatory for nationals of visa-exempt countries wishing to enter Poland. This includes citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and about 60 other countries. European Union citizens do not need ETIAS—they enjoy freedom of movement. Check the full list of nationalities affected by ETIAS to verify your status.

If your nationality requires a Schengen visa, you must apply for a standard visa at a Polish consulate rather than an ETIAS. Visit our page on the difference between ETIAS and the Schengen visa to understand which procedure applies to your situation.

The Border Guard in Poland: the Straż Graniczna

In Poland, control of the external borders of the Schengen Area is carried out by the Straż Graniczna (SG), the Polish Border Guard. Established in 1990 and operational since 1991, the Straż Graniczna is a civilian state security agency under the Ministry of the Interior. It is responsible for all Polish borders—air, sea, and land—as well as for combating irregular immigration and document fraud.

Poland occupies a strategic position on the eastern borders of the Schengen Area, sharing borders with Ukraine, Belarus, Russia (the Kaliningrad enclave), and Lithuania to the east. As such, the Straż Graniczna plays a crucial role in protecting the EU’s external borders, a role that has been reinforced in recent years by migratory pressure from Belarus. Upon entering Polish territory, officers will check your passport as well as the validity of your ETIAS authorization.

In addition, since July 2025, Poland has reintroduced temporary border controls at its Schengen internal borders with Germany and Lithuania to combat irregular immigration—more than 2.1 million travelers have been screened in five months. For travelers with a valid ETIAS and a valid passport, these checks have no particular consequences.

Major airports of entry into Poland

Poland has a dense network of rapidly expanding regional airports. In 2024, total passenger traffic reached 38 million, an increase of 14%, and major investment programs are underway in most major cities. A new central airport, the CPK (Centralny Port Komunikacyjny), is planned near Łódź and is scheduled to open around 2030.

Warsaw-Chopin (WAW) is the main hub and base of LOT Polish Airlines, which offers direct flights from New York (JFK and Newark), Chicago, Los Angeles, Toronto, Tokyo, Seoul, and numerous intercontinental destinations. Kraków (KRK) set a historic record in 2025 with 13.25 million passengers, a 25% increase year-over-year, confirming its status as the country’s second-largest international gateway—particularly for visitors to Auschwitz-Birkenau and Kraków’s medieval city center.

Stopover in Poland: Do I need an ETIAS?

Warsaw-Chopin is a growing hub for flights between Western Europe and select destinations in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East operated by LOT Polish Airlines. Travelers from North America sometimes stop there before continuing on to destinations in the Baltic states, Ukraine, or the Balkans.

If your layover in Warsaw involves passing through Schengen border controls —which is the case for the vast majority of connecting flights—you will need a valid ETIAS authorization. However, if you remain in the international transit area without crossing the Schengen border, ETIAS is not required for the connection itself. Visit our page on transit in Europe and ETIAS to learn the detailed rules for your itinerary.

The ETIAS for Poland is valid throughout the Schengen Area

An ETIAS obtained for travel to Poland is valid in all 30 countries of the Schengen Area. If your itinerary includes visits to Poland, Germany, and the Czech Republic, a single authorization is sufficient. To learn more about all the requirements for traveling in Europe, check out our comprehensive guide.

Frequently Asked Questions About ETIAS for Poland