Poland Visa and Entry Requirements: What Łódź Visitors Need to Know

Getting to Łódź is easier than many visitors expect — and for most travellers, there is no visa required. This guide explains who can visit Poland visa-free, what the new EES border system means for you, and what is changing with ETIAS.

Łódź Władysław Reymont Airport.

At a Glance: Entry Requirements for Poland

EU and EEA Citizens

EU and EEA nationals need no visa to visit Poland and may stay as long as they like. A valid national identity card is all that is required — a passport is not compulsory. Swiss nationals can also enter on their national ID card under separate bilateral agreements.

UK Citizens

British passport holders can visit Poland — and the Schengen Area — for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. A valid British passport with at least three months’ validity beyond your planned departure from Schengen is required.

EES biometric registration at the border is in effect from April 2026. ETIAS pre-travel authorisation will be required from late 2026. The UK Government’s Foreign Travel Advice for Poland is a useful reference before you travel.

US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand Citizens

These nationalities can visit Poland visa-free for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period. Passport validity of at least three months beyond your Schengen departure is required. EES applies from April 2026; ETIAS from late 2026.

Other Visa-Free Nationalities

Citizens of Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Israel, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Malaysia, the UAE, and many more countries can also visit Poland visa-free. For the definitive list, see EU Regulation 2018/1806 (Annex II). The same 90-day Schengen limit applies to all visa-exempt visitors.

Nationalities That Need a Schengen Visa

Citizens of countries on the EU’s restricted list — including Russia, Belarus, China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Nigeria, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia — need a Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) before travelling to Poland.

Apply at the Polish consulate in your country. You will need a valid passport, completed application form, travel insurance with at least €30,000 cover, proof of accommodation and funds, and evidence of onward travel. Allow at least 15 working days for processing.

Full requirements and current fees: Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

EES: The New EU Border System

The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) has been fully operational since 10 April 2026. For non-EU visitors, it replaces the old passport stamp with a digital record of every Schengen entry and exit.

Who is affected? Non-EU, non-Schengen nationals on short stays — including UK, US, Canadian, and Australian visitors.

What happens at the border? On your first Schengen crossing, you will have fingerprints, a facial scan, and your passport details recorded. Return visits are faster, confirmed by facial recognition. No advance registration is needed.

For Łódź visitors in particular: Most international travellers arrive via Warsaw Chopin Airport or Kraków Airport, where EES kiosks are now in operation. Łódź itself is served by Łódź Władysław Reymont Airport, with growing connections from the UK and Western Europe. Allow extra time at immigration on your first Schengen crossing.

If your passport lacks a biometric chip, you will not be able to use automated kiosks — manual processing takes longer. Consider renewing an older passport before travelling.

EES and the 90-day rule: The system automatically tracks time spent in the Schengen Area. Overstays are now flagged digitally and carry real consequences — fines, removal, and potential re-entry bans.

ETIAS: Coming in Late 2026

ETIAS is the EU’s new pre-travel authorisation — comparable to the US ESTA — for visa-exempt visitors. It will be required for nationals of around 60 countries, including the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

When? Expected to launch late 2026, with a grace period before enforcement tightens around mid-2027.

Cost: €20 (free for under-18s and over-70s).

How long is it valid? Three years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. Valid for unlimited trips across all Schengen countries.

Applications will open at the official ETIAS portal when the system goes live. Be cautious of third-party sites charging for ETIAS applications before the official launch.

The 90/180-Day Schengen Rule

Non-EU visitors may spend a maximum of 90 days in any rolling 180-day period across the Schengen Area as a whole. This is not a per-country limit — it covers all Schengen member states combined.

The 26 Schengen countries include Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden. The UK and Ireland are not Schengen members.

Use the EU’s short-stay calculator to check your remaining days.

Passport Rules

Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond your planned Schengen departure. Some airlines apply a stricter six-month rule — worth checking at the time of booking.

Biometric (chipped) passports are recommended: non-biometric passports cannot use the EES automated kiosks introduced at Schengen borders. EU citizens may enter Poland on a valid national ID card.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a visa to visit Łódź?
For most visitors from Western Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand — no. Poland’s visa rules are governed by Schengen regulations, and a wide range of nationalities can visit visa-free for up to 90 days. Check the EU visa list if you are unsure.

What is EES and how does it affect my visit?
EES is the EU’s new digital border system, fully in effect from April 2026. Non-EU visitors register biometric data on their first Schengen crossing — nothing is needed in advance. The main practical impact is slightly longer queues during busy periods.

What is ETIAS?
An upcoming €20 pre-travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors, expected to launch late 2026. Not yet required.

How long can I stay in Łódź?
Visa-exempt visitors can stay up to 90 days in the Schengen Area (not just Poland) in any rolling 180-day period.

Can EU citizens use an ID card instead of a passport?
Yes — a valid national identity card is sufficient for EU and EEA nationals.

I am from a country that needs a Schengen visa. How do I apply?
Apply at the Polish consulate in your home country before travelling. See the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs for current requirements.

Does the 90-day limit apply to Poland alone?
No — it covers all Schengen countries combined. Any time spent in Germany, France, Spain, or any other Schengen member state within the same 180-day window counts toward your 90-day total.

Useful Links

• EU Travel Portal (EES, ETIAS)
• Schengen Visa-Free Nationalities
• Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Visas
• UK Government — Travel Advice: Poland
• Australian DFAT — Poland