Border crossing rules

Specific rules for crossing the border

- by EU citizens

Citizens of the European Union within the meaning of Article 20(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (Journal of Laws of 2004, No. 90, item 864/2) and citizens of Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein may enter the territory of the Republic of Poland based on a valid travel document or other valid document confirming their identity and citizenship.

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- by family members of EU citizens

Family members of European Union citizens exercising their right of free movement under Directive 2004/38/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States, amending Regulation (EEC) No. 1612/68 and repealing Directives 64/221/EEC, 68/360/EEC, 72/194/EEC, 73/148/EEC, 75/34/EEC, 75/35/EEC, 90/364/EEC, 90/365/EEC and 93/96/EEC and family members of nationals of Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein using analogous under bilateral agreements concluded between the European Union and the above-mentioned countries may enter the territory of the Republic of Poland on the basis of valid travel documents and:

• a Schengen visa or a national visa issued by a Schengen state entitling them to enter the territory of the Republic of Poland;

• a residence permit issued by the Republic of Poland or another Member State, corresponding to the residence card of a family member of an EU citizen, a permanent residence card of a family member of an EU citizen or a residence card.

If a foreigner belongs to the categories exempt from the visa requirement under Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 November 2018 listing the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders and those whose nationals are exempt from this requirement (Journal of Laws EU of 28.11.2018, L 303/39) does not need to have a Schengen visa, national visa or residence permit, unless they have used the authorised period of stay.

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- by third-country nationals

When crossing the border, the third-country national shall fulfil all the entry conditions referred to in points (a), (c) to (e) of Article 6(1) of the Schengen Borders Code and shall in addition have:

• a Schengen visa or a national visa issued by a Schengen state entitling them to enter the territory of the Republic of Poland;

• a residence permit issued by the Republic of Poland or another Member State, corresponding to the residence card of a family member of an EU citizen, a permanent residence card of a family member of an EU citizen or a residence card.

Where a foreigner belongs to the categories exempt from the visa requirement under Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 November 2018 listing the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders and those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement (Journal of Laws EU of 28.11.2018, L 303/39) does not need to have a Schengen visa, national visa or residence permit, unless they have used the allowed period of stay.

Pursuant to Article 23(3) of the Act on Foreigners, a third-country national in transit to another state (a non-Schengen state) should have a permit to enter another state or a residence permit in another country (visa or residence permit), if such documents are required from him.