Travel to Poland from the UK? (COVID time)

Hi everyone,

I'm living in the UK (London - Tier 4 zone) but my nationality is Australian. I really want to go back to Poland as my girlfriend is currently living there and also i have friends.

I'm getting conflicting messaging saying Poland will allow flights from UK after Jan 6... but that people from UK except Polish passport holders can't travel to Poland indefinitely? Also it appears people from UK aren't allowed to travel at all unless there is a valid reason.

I'm really confused here and really want to go to Poland. Anyone in a similar situation that can help?

Thanks,
Bart

With the new variant virus getting out of control in the UK, and new cases at a record high, what makes you think Poland (or any other country) will welcome travellers from London, in just over a week's time?


Not sure if missing your girlfriend is a valid reason. Let us know how it works out for you.

Yes the way the UK govt has handled this crisis is *terrible*. if it matters unlike most Brits i always wear mask, observe social distancing and carry hand sanitizer with me.

I just want to leave this place and somehow get to Poland asap.

I agree with you 100%. The UK is only 36 hours away from leaving the EU, there might be new updated information for travellers on the 1st of Jan. Maybe you will be able to pay for a covid test to prove you are negative on the day of travel. Just keep checking the government website. At the moment, they say "anyone living in tier 4 should not travel abroad"

Merged:

British travelling to Poland on 3rd January

Will I get through customs?

It's probably a bit silly to ask this to random people on a random forum, as I'll probably get answers from people who don't know anymore than me. Personal opinions basically. I don't mean any offence - that's just the reality of asking questions online. Please contribute in anyway you can though.

I'm British. I'm flying to Poland on the 3rd January. As you know there is a flight ban from the UK to Poland until at least the 6th January. I will be getting around this by flying to Belfast, getting a bus from Belfast to Dublin, then flying from Dublin.

If I'm being totally honest, I am not coming for business or for work. I would come under the leisure / tourism category.

I was in Poland from the 13th December to the 23rd December. I walked straight through customs, no questions asked. He didn't even want to see my face under my mask.

I did not encounter any issues whilst there except accommodation asking if I am here for business and I just said yes and they accepted my word for it. Just one place cancelled on me.

My concerns / worries this time around are that:

1. The UK is no longer in the EU.
2. There is a UK flight ban.

I do not meet any of the exemptions of those permitted to enter Poland during the pandemic. But I did not last time either. But those two concerns / worries mentioned above did not apply then.

The thing is, my flights are booked. I've sorted an apartment for the month (tenancy agreement, not Airbnb). I'm going to Poland. I'm just a little bit concerned that I'm going to have trouble at customs.

I suppose you're wondering why I want to travel to Poland, and during a pandemic.

I was planning to backpack around Europe and Asia anyway before the pandemic. I'm itching to get away. I don't get along with people at home (understatement). Poland is cheap flights. Poland is a cheapish country, especially apartments. I really like Poland. I'm bringing my laptop and so going to be working on myself. Maybe try and teach English. Maybe do some online courses. Maybe learn Polish. I just want and need to get away.

Should I lie at customs? I'm not a good liar. Any ideas?

Should I get a private covid test here before I go and show it?

Should I say I've been in Ireland (EU country, low-risk) for the last month (i.e. not been in UK recently.)

Any other non EU people arrived in Poland recently or plan on arriving soon?

Thanks in advance.

gov.pl/web/coronavirus/travel

Here are the people who can enter Poland - At the moment you probably don't meet any of those criteria, but wait a few hours and someone who has first hand experience may reply

You don't know if you have this yirus and are one of those people who are asymptomatic. The very least you could do is get yourself tested before you go so as not to put other people at risk. Many countries are asking for negative tests within 72 hours of flying. If you do manage to get there but without being tested, you will have to quarantine for 10 days. You do know that Poland is under lockdown till January 17th?


Are you mad?


Are you prepared to take that risk? That comes under lying to customs btw.

Ireland is in lockdown, so you can't cross county borders without reason. If you're caught, you'll be fined heavily by the Irish Gardai.

You also can't work in Poland without a work permit and a visa/residence permit.

Yes, your worry is justified. They won`t let you in if they stick to the EU post brexit procedures . I am sorry.

UK nationals and non-EU/EEA nationals resident in the UK or another non-EU/EEA country will not be permitted entry to Poland from 01 January 2021 for non-essential purposes due to EU-wide COVID-19 restrictions.

Check it at the best and most credible source here: gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/poland

So, flying from Dublin won`t help coz you carry a British passport, right? Will you be able to prove that the purpose of your journey is essential? E.g., family connections? Yes, you can try to lie but if you run into pedantic eager beavers, they might want to check your info. .

Will they send me back or let me through?

Nobody knows that. If you show them your eyes full of tears and beg for being allowed entry, they might let you through. Poles are kind-hearted people and it is easy to move them. But you certainly need a good credible story to prove your travel is essential. There might be a problem with their understanding it, though.

You can try to perform this act first:

• 
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That`s good advice.

So, Yozz, if you show a certificate with negative result and offer a good story in simple English, I think there is a great chance they will buy it.

@pawian

I'm a little confused by this:

UK nationals and non-EU/EEA nationals resident in the UK or another non-EU/EEA country will not be permitted entry to Poland from 01 January 2021 for non-essential purposes due to EU-wide COVID-19 restrictions.

So people living in UK (i'm Australian citizen, just living here) won't be allowed in Poland from Jan 1. And that's it? Even after flights are open again after Jan 6?

I was in Poland August and September. Will i be able to go back there Jan 17 when the quarantine there ends?

That's what it says. ........

You will just have to wait until the situation changes I suppose.

As going over to Ireland and travelling from there.....don't be ridiculous that is not going to be a 'loophole ' for UK residents The Irish govt wouldn't tolerate it.

We all had plans, we had to adjust. Stay home

Check the Border Guard`s site for more info if you are elligible for exceptional treatment.
strazgraniczna.pl/pl/cudzoziemcy/covid-epidemia-koronawi/8578,Outbreak-of-coronavirus-rules-of-entry-and-stay-on-the-territory-of-the-Republic.html


Nobody knows that. Decisions are taken by the ruling rightist government a few days before they become law. Sometimes one day before. Expect anything.


Prime Minister`s Chief Assistant says he doesn`t know it. And warns about the third wave which is likely to come.
wiadomosci.radiozet.pl/Koronawirus/Trzecia-fala-koronawirusa-w-Polsce-Dworczyk-ostrzega-pojawily-sie-modele


you can try to phone them

strazgraniczna.pl/pl/cudzoziemcy/covid-epidemia-koronawi-1/8604,Infolinia-COVID-Koronawirus.html


How can they prevent it?

Don't know but I am sure they have or they will be clogged up with itchy footed UK residents who think 'the rules ' dont apply to them because they're special and really really want to have a holiday.

Ok the UK is now officially in another lockdown, it looks like until middle of Feb (but no guarantees).

Does that mean that's no point booking flights to Poland before then / until we get confirmation? I really want to go and leave this place. Flights open after Jan 6... flights are cheap. Will saying that i'm going there to see a loved one be enough to get me through?

I did,and from the GREAT USA and am in Poland since yesterday.

Just saying it might not be enough. If I was a border guard, I would let you go if you convinced me it is true. How? E..g, by calling her in my presence so that I could confirm your claim. Or another method.

This or that, chances are fifty fifty. If you try and succeed, let us know.

and stand chances for being charged with attempted mass killing?

Health theater to speed of the capital transfer....

@Cargo pants
Only when he wears Shahid`s belt.

Travel from Britain to The Irish Republic is currently severely restricted due to the new variant, the only sure way to get to Dublin Airport is to travel from Britain to Belfast ( by plane) then cross the border on your way to Dublin Airport. Direct travel to Dublin Airport shouldn't be a problem however it's unethical and you probably will be turned back at the Polish airport (especially if you don't have an EU passport) at your own expense.

Just don't do it...

Cargo, you have just come back as a Polish citizen. They asked you to fill in the form recalling all places you stayed at within last 2 weeks, right? And you said you were truthful. What would have happened if you had lied?

I dont know,honestly they should then charge me with a criminal act lol thats why I took pics of the 2 forms i filled and signed and also of the kawarantine app which says im not in database every 8 hrs.I had a Polish Canadian from Germany nest to me who lied and told me to also but I refused, so sanipeed is just a freegin show off here.

Is it possible they have access to lists of passengers of all airlines? And they can check if you travelled on any flight from the UK?

Dont know paw, but its all BS I feel ,all the forms etc they made us wait for 45 mins on tarmac to find out 2 passengers who didnt fill the forms,but I am free as a stray dog to walk the streets,if no email,call or sms I am going out and about jutro.will be over 36 hrs of entering Polish border.

Yes, they don`t have enough staff to handle all those cases. Although stories vary - some guys are not checked at all, while others twice a day. Chaos.

They have access to a lot of government databases not sure about flight records will find out and post.

Edit
Depends on where the subject lives and how many staff are sick/isolating