Poland→United Kingdom
Poland to United Kingdom
Do I need a visa for United Kingdom?
Polish citizens do not need a visa for tourism or visits, but you must hold an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before you travel. The ETA is applied for online and is an authorisation, not a visa. This tourist permission does not permit paid work or study.
Which documents do I need?
You must travel on a valid passport. A passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry. A Polish national identity card, a driving licence and a temporary passport are not accepted for entry on this route.
Are vaccinations required for United Kingdom?
No vaccinations are required or recommended for this route.
How long can I stay, and can I extend it?
One entry under the ETA permits a stay of up to 180 days. The ETA is applied for online; extensions and any penalties for overstaying are governed by British authorities and are not detailed here.
Can children travel on this route?
Travellers under 18 need only the accepted travel document (a passport) and do not require parental consent letters or additional paperwork for this tourist entry.
Do I need travel insurance?
Travel insurance is recommended to cover medical costs and private care but it is not a condition of entry. Carrying insurance is advisable for a tourist trip.
Where do I get the visa?
The ETA application is made through the United Kingdom’s official online application portal linked on this page; the portal issues the electronic authorisation. The Polish embassy and consular pages are linked here for consular help while abroad, not for applying for the ETA.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my national ID card, driving licence or temporary passport?
You must travel on a passport; a Polish national identity card, a driving licence or a temporary passport will not be accepted for entry on this route.
How long must my passport be valid for?
The passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you enter the United Kingdom.
Will I have to prove I have enough money?
You will not be asked to show proof of funds or bank statements on arrival for this tourist route; showing funds is not required.
Do I need to fill in an arrival/declaration form when I land?
There is no arrival card or registration to complete on arrival; no entry registration or paper arrival form is required for this route.
What documents do children need?
Children under 18 need only the same accepted travel document as adults — a passport — and do not need parental consent letters or extra paperwork for this tourist route.
Who do I contact if I need consular help while in the UK?
If you need help while abroad you can contact the Polish embassy or consular posts in the United Kingdom; the embassy contact details are available on the linked embassy page on this site.
How long does the ETA take to be approved?
An ETA is normally granted in minutes to hours after you apply online, though final validity varies by case. The ETA must be approved before you travel.
Is the ETA the same as a visa?
The ETA is an electronic authorisation; once issued it has a validity that varies by case. Do not treat the ETA as a visa — it is a separate electronic permission for travel.
Can I use the ETA to work or study during my trip?
If your travel purpose is something other than tourism or visits, you must hold a visa rather than rely on an ETA.
Where exactly do I go online to get the ETA?
The official application portal for the ETA is linked on this page; use that portal to apply rather than visiting an embassy for the ETA application.
Where can I check the official rules?
When was this last checked?
Our checker last confirmed these requirements on August 5, 2026. Entry rules can change without notice, so confirm against the official source below before you travel.
Before you travel
- 1Apply before you travel
Apply before you book. Processing times vary, and a refusal cannot be appealed at the border.
Apply on the official site - 2Check your passport
Your passport must stay valid for 6 months beyond your trip.
- Travel insurance
Not required upon entry, but medical treatment is paid for by travelers — it's advisable to have a policy covering medical expenses and repatriation.
- Save your embassy’s contact
Your nearest mission: United Kingdom — worth having if your documents are lost.
Open the embassy page - Stays up to 180 days
Longer than that needs a visa, and the exemption covers tourism — not paid work or study.
- Read our travel guides
Local knowledge, seasons and customs — things they won't check at the border but that your trip depends on. Everything you need to know.
Open the guide
More about United Kingdom
Europe
- Capital
- London
- Currency
- British Pound Sterling (GBP)
- Known for
- Royal Family, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace
- Food
- Fish and Chips, Roast Dinner, Full English Breakfast