Coronavirus brings travel chaos across Europe: A guide to where you can and can’t go from Poland
Those hoping to travel from Poland to Europe are facing increasing difficulties with the second coronavirus wave prompting governments across the continent to introduce more restrictions.
Travelling from Poland to Britain means undergoing a 14-day home quarantine, with the restriction also applying to professional drivers, people in transit and seasonal agricultural workers. All travellers to the UK must fill in a localisation form.
Countries have been colour-coded to show the different risk levels: Green, if the notification rate is less than 25 and the test positivity rate is less than 4%; orange, if the notification rate is less than 50 but the test positivity rate is 4% or more, or, if the notification rate ranges from 25 to 150 but the test positivity rate is less than 4%; red, if the notification rate is 50 or more and the test positivity rate is 4% or more, or if the notification rate is more than 150; grey, if not sufficient information is available or if the testing rate is 300 or less.
Similar restrictions apply to Ireland though the two-week self-isolation is only recommended rather than mandatory and again a localisation form must be completed.
People travelling from Poland to the Netherlands need to observe a 10-day quarantine period, even if they have no symptoms of COVID-19 or have a negative test result. A health form available online applies to air passengers to the Netherlands.
Travelling from Poland to Britain means undergoing a 14-day home quarantine, with the restriction also applying to professional drivers, people in transit and seasonal agricultural workers.
A similar document applies to travellers to Belgium, including travellers over land unless they will be in the country for less than 48 hours. Poland is in a “red zone” and travellers must observe a 10-day quarantine period, and undergo a compulsory test for coronavirus infection.
Germany also considers the whole of Poland an area of increased risk and a quarantine period applies, though specific rules depend on federal state authorities. A two-week self-isolation period applies to travellers from Poland to Berlin, North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse, among other locations, although exemptions apply to people presenting a negative test result. A free test is available at airports and train stations.
Germany considers the whole of Poland an area of increased risk and a quarantine period applies, though specific rules depend on federal state authorities.
Travel to Luxembourg can be done without major restrictions.
French borders remain open to those travelling from Poland although a statement of having no symptoms has to be filled out. The Polish Foreign Ministry has said that only passengers with a negative test result are permitted to board direct flights from France to Poland.
French borders remain open to those travelling from Poland although a statement of having no symptoms has to be filled out.
A health form has to be filled in by all travellers to Spain and health checks including temperature measurement are conducted at airports.
EU citizens can travel to Portugal without restrictions, although counter-measures apply to travellers to Madeira and the Azores with a negative test result required for the former and for the latter a test can be done after the flight and the passenger must isolate while awaiting the results.
For Greece, a negative test result is required in English, conducted by a certified Polish laboratory no more than 72 hours prior to travel.
A declaration of health and recent travel must be completed for entry into Italy. For Greece, a negative test result is required in English, conducted by a certified Polish laboratory no more than 72 hours prior to travel. An online form is also in use for Greece.
Malta requires a declaration of health and a localisation document for air travellers while those going to Slovenia must submit a negative test result or undergo 10 days' quarantine.
Travel to Hungary is strictly forbidden for all EU citizens although permission can be granted if there is sufficient justification. All visitors must undergo a 10-day period of isolation.
Poland is considered a safe country by Austria, and people can freely travel there provided they have not been in a high-risk area.
Poland is considered a safe country by Austria, and people can freely travel there provided they have not been in a high-risk area such as the Czech Republic, France or the UK in the previous 10 days.
Travel to the Czech Republic is virtually impossible for tourist purposes. All hotels and other tourist accommodation are closed. Border controls have not been reinstated, however, and no test results or quarantine periods are required. It is possible to move around the country for professional purposes.
Those travelling to Slovakia must produce a negative test result no older than 72 hours, including people in transit.
The European Union has launched a website - reopen.europa.eu - which publishes up-to-date travel restrictions for countries of the bloc.
A 10-day quarantine is in force in Lithuania although exemption can be granted on the grounds of a negative test result no older than 48 hours before entering the country. Transport sector employees are also exempt from self-isolation as are people travelling for important family or business reasons or in transit.
The European Union has launched a website - reopen.europa.eu - which publishes up-to-date travel restrictions for countries of the bloc.
Information can also be found on the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Polish authorities have appealed to the public to avoid unnecessary foreign travel.
