If you’re a citizen of a country outside the EU and Schengen Area with no visa-free agreement with Poland, you’ll generally need a visa to enter the country. Here’s a 2026 breakdown of the visa types, what they cost, and what they actually let you do.
- Do you need a visa for Poland
- Three visa types: C, D, A
- Schengen visa (type C)
- National visa (type D)
- Airport transit visa (type A)
- Visa fees and exemptions
- Border checks
- Where to find current information
- FAQ
- Bibliography
Do you need a visa for Poland
As of 2026, the visa requirement still applies to citizens of Ukraine, Belarus and the Russian Federation regardless of the purpose of the visit (with a few exceptions, such as valid Polish Card holders or people covered by EU temporary protection for Ukrainian citizens). Local border traffic agreements for residents of border regions used to be an exception, but they are currently suspended for Ukraine and Belarus. Don’t rely on them.
A valid visa does not guarantee you’ll be let across the border: the final decision rests with the Straż Graniczna (Polish Border Guard). At the slightest suspicion of document fraud, they can invalidate a visa right at the border.
Three visa types: C, D, A
Like other Schengen states, Poland issues visas under three main categories, defined by the EU Visa Code (Regulation (EC) No 810/2009, as amended) and the national Act on Foreigners (Dz.U. 2025 poz. 1079):
- Schengen visa (type C): short-stay, uniform across the entire Schengen Area;
- National visa (type D): long-stay, issued independently by Poland;
- Airport transit visa (type A): for international transit areas only.
Schengen visa (type C)
Allows you to stay across all Schengen states (including Poland) for up to 90 days in any 180-day period: the “90/180” rule. This is the typical visa for tourism or short business trips, as long as your total stay doesn’t exceed that limit.
National visa (type D)
Marked with the letter “D,” this visa allows continuous stay in Poland for up to 360-365 days. You need this visa if you’re:
- coming to study (a national study visa, based on proof of admission to a Polish institution);
- coming to work for more than 90 days (based on an employer’s registered “oświadczenie o powierzeniu wykonywania pracy” declaration, or a work permit);
- applying based on a valid Polish Card, in this case, the consular fee is waived.
The exact permitted length of stay is set individually by the consulate based on the documents you submit, and can be shorter than the visa’s overall validity. If you plan to stay longer than your visa allows, you need to apply for a temporary or permanent residence permit while your legal stay is still valid.
Airport transit visa (type A)
The airport transit visa still exists in 2026 and only allows you to pass through the international transit area of one or more Schengen airports, it does not grant entry into the country. It’s required for citizens of a limited list of countries (including Afghanistan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Somalia and a few others; check the current list on the Polish MFA website).
Visa fees and exemptions
| Visa type | Standard fee | Exemptions |
|---|---|---|
| Schengen (C) | 80 → 90 EUR (since June 11, 2024) | free for children under 6; 45 EUR for ages 6-11; reduced 35 EUR fee for citizens of countries with a visa facilitation agreement |
| National (D) | set independently by Poland, depends on purpose | free for valid Polish Card holders |
| Transit (A) | per general EU Visa Code rules | per general EU Visa Code rules |
The consular fee is non-refundable if your visa is refused. You pay it either directly at the consulate or at the visa center’s counter, if you’re applying through one.
Border checks
Tourists usually just need to explain their travel purpose and itinerary. But if you entered based on a “purchased” invitation from a black-market source, expect additional questions about your employer and the nature of the invitation, border officers can refuse entry at the slightest doubt, even if your visa is technically valid. Corruption levels in Poland are low, so paying to “smooth over” document discrepancies simply doesn’t work.
Remember: you must leave Poland before your permitted stay expires, not before the visa’s overall validity date: these are two different things, and overstaying the former counts as a visa violation even if the visa is technically still valid.
Where to find current information
The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes up-to-date requirements for each visa type at gov.pl/web/diplomacy, along with specific consulate and visa center websites (a directory is on the same portal). Document requirements can vary slightly between consulates of the same country.
FAQ
Can citizens of Ukraine under EU temporary protection get a national D visa? This group is covered by separate, specific legalization rules under the special act on assistance to Ukrainian citizens, not the general rules in this article.
What happens if I overstay my permitted period on a visa? It’s treated as a visa violation and can seriously complicate, or even block, future visa applications.
Do Polish Card holders need a visa? Yes, but the consulate issues a national D visa free of charge specifically on the basis of a valid Polish Card.
Bibliography
- Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 establishing a Community Code on Visas (Visa Code), as amended.
- Act of 12 December 2013 on Foreigners (consolidated text, Dz.U. 2025 poz. 1079).
- European Commission notice on the Schengen visa fee increase to EUR 90, effective June 11, 2024.
Author: MojaFirma team.
*This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every situation depends on the specific documents and individual circumstances. If something about your own situation isn’t quite clear, feel free to book a free consultation with our team.*
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