{"metadata":{"generated":{"timestamp":1393624894,"date":"2014-02-28 23:01:34"}},"data":{"country-iso":"PL","advisory-state":0,"has-advisory-warning":0,"has-regional-advisory":0,"has-content":1,"update-metadata":"","eng":{"name":"Poland","url-slug":"poland","friendly-date":"February 19, 2014 17:18 ","advisory-text":"Exercise normal security precautions","recent-updates":"A minor editorial change was made.","advisories":"
There is no nationwide advisory in effect for Poland. Exercise normal security precautions.<\/p>\n<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>","security":"
The decision to travel is your responsibility. You are also responsible for your personal safety abroad. The purpose of this Travel Advice is to provide up-to-date information to enable you to make well-informed decisions.<\/p>\n
The rate of violent crime in Poland is generally low. Petty crime (pickpocketing, purse snatching) occur, particularly in larger cities. Organized groups of thieves operate at major tourist destinations, on public transportation, at train stations, near hotels and in busy markets. Thieves also target the bus and tram route to and from Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport.<\/p>\n
Exercise caution on trains, particularly at night. Store personal belongings in a safe place, do not leave the compartment unattended and ensure the door is secured from the inside. Most pickpocketing on trains occurs during boarding. Commonly, a group of well-dressed young men will jostle and rob a passenger as they supposedly attempt to get around the victim in a narrow aisle of the train.<\/p>\n
Youth gangs can be a threat, particularly in urban areas. There have been reports of individuals being harassed for reasons of race, sexual orientation or foreign looking appearance.<\/p>\n
Poland has been improving its highway system, but travel by road can be hazardous outside of major centres. Most roads are poorly maintained, narrow and badly lit, and traffic is congested. Some drivers have little regard for traffic regulations and do not follow safe driving practices.<\/p>\n
The country's role as a major east-west route for transport trucks also poses risks. Horse-drawn and slow-moving agricultural vehicles are common in rural areas. Avoid driving long distances at night.<\/p>\n
Use only officially marked taxis. Make sure that the taxi meter is in use, as all registered taxis are required to have an operating meter. The taxi should display the rate per kilometre on the back passenger window, visible from outside the vehicle. Be wary of taxi drivers who approach you at the airport or whose vehicles do not display telephone numbers and a company name; these drivers usually charge exorbitant rates.<\/p>\n
Consult our Transportation Safety<\/a> page in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.<\/p>\n Never leave food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers. Be wary of accepting snacks, beverages, gum or cigarettes from new acquaintances, as they may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery.<\/p>\n Exercise normal safety precautions. Ensure that your personal belongings, passports and other travel documents are secure at all times.<\/p>\n You must report the loss or theft of your passport to the local police. A police report is required for the issuance of a new passport or the replacement of a Polish visa.<\/p>\n Mobile phone users can dial 112 for emergency assistance and roadside assistance. Dial 997 to reach police, 999 to reach ambulance and 998 to reach fire fighters.<\/p>","entry-exit":" It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. Canadian consular officials cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet entry requirements. The following information on entry and exit requirements has been obtained from the Polish authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is your responsibility to check with the Embassy of the Republic of Poland<\/a> or one of its consulates<\/a> for up-to-date information.<\/p>\n Official (special and diplomatic) passport holders must consult the Official Travel<\/a> page, as they may be subject to different entry requirements.<\/p>\n Canadians must present a passport<\/a> which must be valid for at least three months beyond the date of their expected departure from the Schengen area. Before you leave, ask your transportation company about its requirements related to passport validity, which may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.<\/p>\n Customs officials may ask you to show them a return ticket, proof of sufficient funds for your stay and proof of travel\/ medical insurance.<\/p>\n Dual citizenship is not legally recognized. Dual citizens should possess both Polish and Canadian passports. Dual citizens are obliged by Polish law to enter and leave Poland with a Polish passport, which may limit the ability of Canadian officials to provide consular services. Consult our publication entitled Dual Citizenship: What You Need to Know<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n Tourist visa: Not required for stays up to 90 days*<\/p>\n Business visa: Not required for stays up to 90 days*<\/p>\n Work visa: Required<\/p>\n Student visa: Required<\/p>\n * The 90 days begin upon initial entry into any country of the Schengen area.<\/p>\n To stay longer than 90 days, Canadians must apply either for a Polish visa in Canada before arriving in Poland or for a temporary residence permit while in Poland and must have a valid reason for extending their stay, such as education or employment. For information, please consult the Polish Office for Foreigners<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n The following 26 countries comprise the Schengen Area: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.<\/p>\n The Schengen area has common rules regarding visas and controls at external borders:<\/p>\n You do not need visas for short-term visits of up to 90 days within a six-month period. Your stays are cumulative, and include visits to any country within the Schengen area. Some countries require that you register with local authorities within three working days of your arrival.<\/p>\n It is important to get your passport stamped when entering the Schengen area. The absence of an entry stamp from the initial Schengen port of entry could create difficulties during subsequent encounters with local police or other authorities throughout the Schengen area.<\/p>\n After 90 days of stay in the Schengen area, you must leave for another 90 days before you can re-enter.<\/p>\n If you overstay the permitted 90 days in the Schengen area, you may be fined or deported. To visit for longer than 90 days, you must obtain a long-stay national visa. <\/p>\n Children need special documentation to visit certain countries. Please consult our Children<\/a> page for more information.<\/p>\n Some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination before allowing entry. Consult the World Health Organization’s country list<\/a> to obtain information on this country’s requirements.<\/p>","health":" Be sure that your routine vaccines<\/a> are up-to-date regardless of your travel destination.<\/p> You may be at risk for these vaccine-preventable diseases while travelling in this country. Talk to your travel health provider about which ones are right for you.<\/p> \n\tHepatitis A<\/a> is a disease of the liver spread by contaminated food or water. All those travelling to regions with a risk of hepatitis A infection should get vaccinated.<\/p>\n<\/details> \n\tHepatitis B<\/a> is a disease of the liver spread through blood or other bodily fluids. Travellers who may be exposed (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment or occupational exposure) should get vaccinated.<\/p>\n<\/details> \n\tSeasonal influenza<\/a> occurs worldwide. The flu season usually runs from November to April in the northern hemisphere, between April and October in the southern hemisphere and year round in the tropics. Influenza (flu) is caused by a virus spread from person to person when they cough or sneeze or through personal contact with unwashed hands. Get the flu shot.<\/p>\n<\/details> \n\tMeasles occurs worldwide but is a common disease in developing countries, particularly in parts of Africa and Asia. Measles<\/a> is a highly contagious disease. Be sure your vaccination against measles is up-to-date regardless of the travel destination. \n\tRabies<\/a> is a disease that attacks the central nervous system spread to humans through a bite, scratch or lick from a rabid animal. Vaccination should be considered for travellers going to areas where rabies exists and who have a high risk of exposure (i.e., close contact with animals, occupational risk, and children).<\/p>\n<\/details> \n\tTick-borne encephalitis<\/a> is a viral disease that can cause swelling of the brain. It is spread to humans by the bite of an infected tick. Vaccination should be considered for those who may be exposed to tick bites (e.g., those spending time outdoors in wooded areas) while travelling in regions with risk of tick-borne encephalitis.<\/p>\n<\/details> Yellow fever is a disease caused by the bite of an infected mosquito.<\/p> Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.<\/p>Spiked food and drinks<\/h3>\n
General safety measures<\/h3>\n
Emergency services<\/h3>\n
Passport<\/h3>\n
Dual citizenship<\/h3>\n
Visas<\/h3>\n
\nSchengen area <\/h3>\n
\nChildren and travel<\/h3>\n
Yellow fever<\/h3>\n
Vaccines<\/summary>
Routine Vaccines<\/h3>
Vaccines to Consider<\/h3>
Hepatitis A<\/summary>
Hepatitis B<\/summary>
Influenza<\/summary>
Measles<\/summary>
\n\t <\/p>\n<\/details>Rabies<\/summary>
Tick-borne encephalitis<\/summary>
Yellow Fever Vaccination<\/h3>