Local Laws

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While traveling in Poland, you are subject to its laws.  If you break local laws in Poland, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.  Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from that in the United States. You can be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you.  Taking pictures of military buildings, other national security or restricted objects is illegal in Poland. Penalties are severe for possessing, using, or trafficking illegal drugs in Poland, and you can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines if convicted.  Driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. Likewise, riding a bike while under the influence is also illegal and can result in being jailed, paying steep fines, and being banned from riding a bike in Poland for half a year or more.  Criminal penalties in Poland vary from those in the United States.

There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States. You can be prosecuted in the United States for engaging in sexual conduct with children or for using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country regardless of the legality of these activities under that country’s laws. These acts are also illegal in Poland and may be subject to prosecution in Poland. Counterfeit and pirated goods are illegal in the United States and, if you purchase them in a foreign country, you may be breaking local law as well. 

While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in that country, others may not.  To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate immediately if you are arrested or detained overseas. This pertains in particular to dual U.S.-Polish nationals since Poland does not recognize (although it does not prohibit) dual nationality. A person holding Polish and U.S. citizenship is deemed by Poland to be a Polish citizen.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: 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.

WOMEN TRAVELER INFORMATION: If you are a woman traveling abroad, please review our travel tips for Women Travelers.

LGBT RIGHTS: There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBT events in Poland. Polish law prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Although the government generally enforces these provisions, the social acceptance of LGBT persons is not as prevalent as in the United States.  For further information on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) travel, please read our LGBT Travel Information page.

ACCESSIBILITY: Individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different in Poland from that in the United States. The law prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities in employment, education, access to health care, and the provision of other state services. Although the government generally enforces these provisions, the social acceptance of persons with disabilities is not as prevalent as in the United States.

The law requires buildings to be accessible for persons with disabilities. Other laws require retrofitting of existing buildings to provide accessibility. In Warsaw and other major cities, public buildings and transportation generally are accessible. Outside of major metropolitan areas, public transportation is usually less available.