Life in Poland is a cultural composition of features belonging to both Eastern and Western European countries. Some of the differences in lifestyle and culture may be surprising, especially for citizens of countries located in distant parts of the world, while others may be easily visible. It is therefore important to familiarise yourself with basic information about everyday life in Poland.
CURRENCY
The Polish currency is called the zloty (zł, PLN). One zloty is divided into 100 groszy (1 zł = 100 gr). In circulation are banknotes in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 zł and coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 gr and 1, 2, 5 zł.
Currency can be exchanged at many bureaux de change or banks. Bureaux de change (pl. kantor) are usually located in city centres, railway stations, airports, hotels and other places frequented by tourists. The official exchange rates are set by the National Bank of Poland (NBP).
BANKING SERVICES
Customers in Poland have a wide choice of banking services. There are about 30 commercial banks and 500 cooperative banks. There are also branches of foreign banks and credit institutions. The market for e-banking services and debit cards is well developed. Poland has an instant payment system (Quick Transfer), a payment card system (e.g. Mastercard, Visa) and other electronic payment systems.
- Banks are open Monday to Friday, and some are open on Saturdays. All banks are closed on Sundays and public holidays. Many banks have their own cash machines and there are also independent cash machine networks (Euronet, Planet Cash). If you have a card from a particular bank, you can use its cash machines free of charge, while other cardholders may have to pay a commission. ATMs are common in Poland and are easy to find in typical places as well as on the street.
- Payment cards (Visa, Maestro, MasterCard, etc.) can be used in most shops, restaurants and public places (where you can usually see card logos on the entrance door). In some larger supermarkets or chain stores, designated cash desks accept payments in euros (apart from zloty, the national currency) at a given exchange rate.
- Bank transfers are a popular way to pay bills and make online purchases in Poland, as they can be made directly from all major Polish banks. They are complemented by other popular methods such as Przelewy 24 and Sofort, which allow transfers to be made directly from a merchant's website. They are widely used for both personal and business transactions.
- Blik is a popular way to pay in Poland. It is a mobile payment system that allows users to make secure transactions using their mobile phone or tablet. It can be used for online shopping, peer-to-peer payments and bill payments. As a local payment method, Blik is supported by all major Polish banks.
- Note: Cheque transactions are almost non-existent. Traveller's cheques are accepted by banks, but are almost never used as a means of payment in commerce. They can be cashed at some larger banks. Banks may charge a commission on the cheque transaction.
BANK ACCOUNT
If you are planning to open a bank account in Poland, you should be aware that individual banks may have different requirements regarding the documents to be submitted. In general, you may be asked to provide a valid passport or identity card and a Residence card or temporary residence card.
Thanks to its central location, Poland can be reached by plane, train, bus or ferry. A flight to Warsaw takes only 2 hours, for example, from London, Paris, Brussels, Berlin, Vienna or Prague. Poland has 10 international airports in: Bydgoszcz, Gdańsk, Katowice, Kraków, Łódz, Poznań, Rzeszów, Szczecin, Warszawa and Wrocław. Note: some of the airports operate only a limited number of destinations. The country offers a wide choice of direct flights to many European cities and has good connections with all continents.
TRAIN (pl. pociąg)
Railway services in Poland are provided by a number of public and private operators. However, the dominant operator is the Polish State Railways (Polskie Koleje Państwowe, PKP), which combines several companies offering domestic and international services. The fastest and most comfortable journeys are offered by PKP Intercity. The Polish railway industry is constantly modernising its infrastructure in order to improve journey times, conditions and passenger comfort.
Today, you can choose from around 100 trains running daily between popular tourist centres, the biggest cities in Poland (Intercity and Express trains) and beyond its borders. Poland has rail links with many European cities, including Prague, Vienna, Bratislava, Berlin, Brussels, Paris and Budapest.
Train tickets(PL bilety kolejowe)
You can buy tickets online, at ticket offices and machines at all stations and in travel agencies. You can also buy a ticket from the conductor by paying in cash or - on all PKP Intercity trains - by using a credit card, in which case a small extra charge will be added to the price.
Price reduction
- children up to the age of 4 (of any nationality) travel free of charge by train in Poland
- school and university students up to the age of 26 and doctoral students up to the age of 35 are entitled to a 51% discount on the full fare, provided they hold a valid student card issued in Poland (to be shown to the conductor on request).
- parents with a Big Family Card are entitled to a 49% discount.
- cheaper family tickets are another available and popular option, especially during the summer holiday season.
BUS & COACH (pl. autobus)
In Poland, public transport services are provided by a number of companies. They provide long-distance, intercity, suburban and local services. Tickets can be bought at bus stations or sometimes directly from the bus driver before the journey. Timetables and ticket prices can be found on the websites of PKS companies in each region/city or on the websites of private companies.
PUBLIC URBAN TRANSPORT
Public transport in Poland is well developed: there are city and suburban buses in all towns and cities, trams in larger cities, although the metro is only in Warsaw. Daytime buses and trams run more or less between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m. Night buses are available in the larger cities. The choice of routes during the night is much more limited, as well as the frequency of the services.
Timetables
- are displayed at every bus and tram stop and can also be found on the websites of individual public transport companies.
- all public transport in a given city or town uses the same type of ticket, which can be bought from kiosks, ticket machines or in some shops and post offices.
- Here you can find the schedules for most of the cities in Poland. Using this website you can simply indicate the address where you want to go to and it will show you the possible routes.
Tickets
- In all cities and towns there are full-fare tickets (pl. bilet normalny) and reduced-fare tickets (pl. bilet ulgowy), the latter for those entitled to a discount (e.g. pupils and students up to the age of 26, doctoral students and pensioners).
- Foreign school and university students are also entitled to discounts: on the basis of a valid Polish pupil/student identity card - if they are enrolled at Polish schools, and - if they are enrolled at schools in their home countries – on the basis of a valid international document - International Student Identity Card (ISIC) or the EURO26 Student card for school and university students.
- Public transport is free for children up to the age of 4 and people who are at least 70 years old.
- There may be an additional charge for transporting of luggage or animals.
DRIVING
- Poland is a right-hand drive country and vehicles are overtaken on the left.
- When driving a car or other vehicle in Poland, you must be in possession of a driving licence, a vehicle registration document and a document confirming that you have third-party liability insurance (Green Card).
- Your vehicle should be equipped with a warning triangle, a fire extinguisher, a reflective vest and a first-aid kit, which is not compulsory but recommended.
- You are not allowed to use your mobile phone while driving unless you have a headset or hands-free set.
- Drivers must use dipped headlights or daytime running lights throughout the year.
- All passengers (except visibly pregnant women, taxi drivers and those holding a medical exemption certificate) must wear seat belts in both the front and rear seats.
- Children must be secured in a child safety seat until they reach a height of 150 cm (in some cases the limit is 135 cm). A seat is not required when a child is transported in an ambulance, police car or taxi.
Driving licence
If you want to drive a car in Poland, you should check the following rules, which determine whether you can use your national driving licence in Poland:
- Driving licences issued by EU Member States, Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein or Iceland can be used in Poland until the date of expiry stated on the document. Then, you need to apply for a Polish licence.
- If you are a citizen of other countries then above and want to drive immediately after your arrival, you should have an international driving licence issued in your home country, which is valid for up to 3 years or until the expiry date of your national licence, whichever is shorter.
- Driving licences from other countries are not valid in Poland. They must be converted to a Polish driving licence, which can only be done after 185 days of legal stay in Poland. You can apply for a licence earlier if you present documents confirming your right to stay in Poland for more than 185 days. This can be a visa or a residence permit.
The procedure of changing the driving license into a Polish document differs depending on whether your driver's license is in line with the template specified in the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic (1949) or Vienna Convention on Road Traffic (1968) or not. In case of licenses that are in line with the Conventions, you only need to submit the below documents to the district office (communication department) relevant for the place of your residence in order to receive the Polish document. However, if your driving license is not in line with the Convention template, you will additionally have to take a partial state examination – a written theory test in English, German or Polish.
The list of required documents:
- filled in application form
- copy of your national driving licence
- certified translation of your national driving license into Polish
- copy of a residence card, visa or other document confirming the right of residence on in Poland or a certificate that you have been studying for at least six months
- proof of payment (100,50 PLN)
- 35 x 45 mm colour photography
Car accident procedures
If you are involved in a road accident, you are obliged to follow certain safety procedures. If it is a minor car collision, you should call the police and move your car so that it does not block the traffic. However, if you are involved in a car accident resulting in casualties, you are obliged to call an ambulance and the police and you have to stay on the scene until they arrive. You must also switch on hazard warning flashers in your car. According to the Polish law, it is mandatory to provide first aid to victims – if you have taken a special training course – or at least to do what you are capable of in terms of securing the place of accident and helping the victims.
Car rental in Poland
Polish rental companies offer many types of cars to rent. The average price for a one-month rent is 1000 EUR, but you can find a small car for 400 EUR monthly. Sometimes there are some discounts which allow you to pay for the car even less.
In some cities, there is a system that allows you to rent a car for minutes, hours or even a few days. The cars waiting on the street in different parts of the city can be accessed via mobile apps. The cost of the rental includes charges for fuel, time of use and kilometres driven.
CYCLING
The bicycle has become very popular as a means of local transport in Poland in recent years. The infrastructure of cycle paths has been modernised and the number and length of new cycle routes is constantly increasing. Today, in most major cities, including Warsaw, Łódź, Wrocław, Poznań or Lublin, private companies offer bike rentals through popular networks, providing easy and inexpensive access. Poles are keen on a healthy lifestyle and appreciate the opportunity to avoid traffic jams.
Here you can find the website of one of the most popular bicycle rental operators.
A cyclist is obliged to use the cycle path or bike-footpath if it is in the direction in which you are riding or intend to turn. If this is not possible, keep to the right. Only adults with children up to 10 years old should use the left side of a pavement. Remember that you must give way to pedestrians when on a footpath.
Requirements
- persons over the age of 18 do not need to be authorised to ride a bicycle,
- children under the age of 10 are only allowed to cycle when accompanied by an adult.
- kids up to the age of 7 years may be carried on a bicycle provided they are placed on an extra saddle to ensure a safe ride. It is permitted to carry a child in a bicycle trailer.
Mandatory bicycle equipment
- white position light in front
- red reflector visible from the rear
- bicycle bell or other warning device
- at least one working brake
- bike helmet – not compulsory but recommended for safety, especially for children.
Cycling trips
There are many cycling routes throughout the country. You can explore the most beautiful places in Poland on two wheels admiring marvellous views, or even cross the country from north to south. Poland is a member of the EuroVelo network, which enables you to use international European cycle routes.
LAUNDRIS (PL pralnia) and dry-cleaner’s (PL pralnia chemiczna)
Cleaning services include washing, dry-cleaning and dyeing clothes, carpets, etc. You can usually have your clothes cleaned in a few hours at one of the many dry cleaners. Self-service laundromats are not very popular in Poland, so there are only a few in large cities.
VETERINARY CLINIC (PL klinika weterynaryjna)
If you have a pet and need to see a vet, there are a large number of veterinary surgeries and clinics, many of which are open 24 hours a day. They offer a wide range of services, including emergency care, diagnosis and all types of treatment for small and large pets, vaccinations (such as the rabies vaccine that your dog needs every year), and health checks for dogs and cats required to obtain a health certificate from the relevant veterinary authorities if you want to take your pet abroad.
TRANSLATION AGENCIES (PL agencja tłumaczeń or biuro tłumaczeń)
There are many translation agencies offering interpreting and translation services from and into many languages. You may also need a sworn (certified) translator, as documents translated and certified by them are recognised for official purposes.
Hereyou can find an official list of sworn translators in Poland by selecting the language (PL język).
EVENTS
A characteristic feature of Polish culture is its involvement in the life of the nation. In addition to a few well-established national or international film, theatre and music festivals, there are many smaller local festivals, fairs, competitions, meetings and contests, some of which include local folklore and religious celebrations. A good source of information about cultural news, events, festivals, cultural institutions, magazines, information about artists and their works abroad is Culture.pl, a daily updated website about Polish culture.
It is also worth visiting the website of the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, where you can find information on Polish artistic projects. You can also buy the bilingual (Polish/English) quarterly Polish Culture Magazine, which aims to promote Polish culture abroad and focuses on the most modern - and vital - artistic achievements.
THEATRE (PL teatr)
In Poland, there are theatres in every major city, offering a wide range of plays every week. In comparison with recent years, Poles now go to the theatre more often because of the availability and diversity of the repertoire. Plays in theatres are usually performed in Polish, but international theatres also come to Poland for reviews or guest performances. Prices vary depending on the play, the date and the seat you choose.
CINEMA (PL kino)
Poland has a wide variety of cinemas, from multi-screen complexes to small, cosy cinemas, which often show old or original non-mainstream films. You can watch films in the original language with Polish subtitles, as Poland does not dub films in cinemas or on television (the only exceptions are fairy tales and children's cartoons).
CUISINE & EATING OUT
Polish cuisine is very varied, with many of its traditional dishes introduced by the various nationalities living in the country. The most popular dishes are Polish meats and sausages, especially sausage (PL kiełbasa), available in many varieties, and ham (PL szynka), mostly pork. The main course is usually pork (for example, the most popular pork cutlet, PL kotlet schabowy), poultry (PL drób) or fish (PL ryba), served with potatoes (PL ziemniaki or kartofle) or groats (PL kasza).
A traditional Polish lunch or dinner would not be complete without tomato soup (PL zupa pomidorowa) with noodles or rice, beetroot soup (PL barszcz, also known as borscht) served with a kind of ravioli (small dumplings made from meat or cabbage and mushrooms) or the oldest Polish dish, rye-flour soup (PL żur or żurek) served with a sausage and a boiled egg.
During your stay in Poland you should also try dumplings (PL pierogi) filled with meat, white cheese or fruit and traditional Polish cakes such as cheesecake (PL sernik), apple pie (PL jabłecznik), poppy seed cake (PL makowiec) or gingerbread (PL piernik). Beer (PL piwo) lovers will not be disappointed with Polish brands that have been produced for centuries, some of which have won awards in international competitions. More and more wine is being produced in Poland, and of good quality.
Poland has an abundance of restaurants, bars and pubs serving national dishes and regional specialities, whose owners try to outdo each other in making the interior as original as possible. In most towns and cities you will find a wide range of restaurants serving Italian, French, Jewish, Chinese, Arabic and Mexican cuisine. Warsaw has also been voted one of the most vegan-friendly cities in the world according to happycow.com
Restaurants are open from Monday to Sunday, usually between 10am and 11pm or late into the night, and Polish pubs do not close until the last customer has left. In smaller towns, apart from tourist resorts, they open later and close earlier. Bills may include a service charge if you are in a group. In restaurants where you are served by a waiter, tipping is usually between 5 and 10%, depending on the standard of the place.
ENTERTAINMENT
There are many ways to spend your free time in Poland, especially in the larger cities, where most academic and research centres are located. Entertainment centres with cinemas, bowling alleys, climbing walls and children's playgrounds are common. .
Those who are tired of the hustle and bustle of the city can relax in the botanical or zoological gardens, or in one of the many city and country parks.
There are many places to visit and events to attend in the city. Information about these places and events can be found on city websites and in local newspapers.
You can practise almost any sport in Poland, and the variety of options will surprise both beginners and advanced sports enthusiasts. Popular summer sports include jogging, cycling, sailing, canoeing and windsurfing. In winter, the mountains are not the only place to practice your skiing, snowboarding, ice-skating or skating skills.Moreover, rock climbing, alpinism and caving are now gaining in popularity, as well as hang-gliding and parachute jumping.
Horse-riding is another popular sport, and enthusiasts can enjoy it both in the wilderness and in areas close to towns and cities, where there are many riding clubs and stud farms.
Sports centres and clubs in towns and cities offer basketball, handball, squash and tennis, as well as aerobics, fitness and yoga. You can also learn to swim or scuba dive, or take various dance classes. There are also indoor swimming pools, beauty centres, saunas and solariums in all major cities and tourist resorts.
Poland has almost everything you could want, from rocky mountains, wide beaches, pristine lakes and vast forests to world-class monuments. The country's greatest attraction is its diverse, unspoilt and freely accessible nature. Poland has a large number of landscape parks and protected areas, including 23 national parks, 7 of which are on the UNESCO list of biosphere reserves.
For this reason, Poland is a paradise for active tourists, who can travel on foot, by canoe, on horseback or by bicycle. The best season for this type of holiday, in terms of weather conditions, is between May and September, but the Polish summer, which is usually dry and warm, also invites trips in October.
Ideal places for year-round holidays are numerous seaside and mountain resorts and, for those who prefer less active rest, spas with curative springs and pools open to the public. There is a wide range of accommodation, from the standard hotels of the world's leading chains in every major city to modern hotel complexes with tennis courts and swimming pools, small guesthouses and cosy hotels, mountain hostels, campsites and rural agritourism farms.
The protection of internal public order and safety is provided by the Police and the City Guard. When you come to Poland, you can be sure that the police officers patrolling the streets are there not only to protect you from any threat, but also to help you find your way and inform you of your rights and obligations in a given situation.Free emergency lines are accessible in all parts of the country:
- General emergency number: 112 (information in Polish, English, German, Russian, Slovak, Czech, Ukrainian, Belorussian, Lithuanian or Italian, depending on the call centres)
- Police: 997
- Municipal Guard: 986
- Ambulance Service: 999
- Fire Rescue Brigade: 998