Poland

General Information
Business Hours
Business & social hints
Climate
Customs
Health
Immigration & Passport
Useful Contacts

General Information

Capital City:: Warsaw
Population:: 38 million
Area:: 120,728 square miles
Language:: Polish
Electricity:: 220V AC 50Hz
Direct Dial:: 48
Driving:: Driving is on the right. International Driving Permit recommended if driving licence is not in English, French or German. UK driving licence accepted
Currency:: Zloty (PLN 1 = 100 Groszy)

Business Hours

Bank:: 0800-1800 Mon-Fri (some banks open till 2000/2100)
Office:: 0800-1600 Mon-Fri
Shops:: 1100-1900 Mon-Fri (0800-2200 some shopping centres)
Public Holidays:: 2010 1 Jan New Year's Day, 5 Apr Easter Monday, 1 May Labour Day, 3 May National Day, 13 May Ascension, 3 Jun Corpus Christi, 15 Aug Assumption, 1 Nov All Saints' Day, 11 Nov Independence Day, 25 Dec -26 Dec Christmas.

Business and social hints

General:: Business is conducted in Polish, however many executives speak a second language. On social occasions, eg invitation to restaurants, punctuality is appreciated. Dress as for business meetings unless otherwise indicated. There may be some restrictions on photography. The minimum drinking age is 18 years
Tipping:: When there is no service charge tips are around 10-15%
Clothing:: Light to mediumweights for summer months. Heavier clothing required for the winter. Rainwear recommended throughout the year
Emergency Services:: Police: 997. Fire: 998. Ambulance: 999
Hotel Classification:: Membership of the Polish Hoteliers' Association (ZHP) is obligatory. Hotels are classified using the standard system from 1 star up to 5 star.

Winters tend to be cold with a decrease in temperature towards the east and in the southern mountains. The coastlands on the Baltic Sea are slightly milder with cooler summers. Rainfall is spread throughout the year although summer is marginally wetter. Snow is common in winter. Summers are warm (25-35 Celsius) with little variation throughout the country as a whole

Warsaw

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Maximum Temperature °C	0	0	6	12	20	23	24	23	19	13	6	2
Minimum Temperature °C	-6	-6	-2	3	9	12	15	14	10	5	0	-3
Average Humidity (mornings) %	90	89	90	85	80	82	86	90	92	93	93	92
Average Humidity (afternoons) %	84	80	70	61	56	59	63	63	64	73	83	87
Average Rainfall	27	32	27	37	46	69	96	65	43	38	31	44

Import Allowances:: For persons of 17 years of age or older: 1) Travellers entering from non-EU countries (including Canary Islands, Channel Islands & Gibraltar): a) 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250gr of tobacco b) 1 lit of spirits of more than 22ï¿½ proof or 2 lit of up to 22ï¿½ proof c) 2 lit of still wines & 5 lit of Beer d) 50gr of perfume & 0.25 lit of eau de toilette e) Other goods to the value of EUR 175 2) Travellers entering from EU countries (goods obtained duty & tax paid - guidance levels): a) 800 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos, 200 cigars & 1 kg of tobacco b) 10 lit of spirits, 20 lit of fortified wine, 90 lit of wine (of which, a max of 60 lit of sparkling wine) & 110 lit of beer
Contraband:: No works of art produced before 1945 and certain other items can be exported without permission

Participant of the European Health Insurance Card - EHIC scheme (formerly known as the E111) which allows visitors on short-term stays to other member countries to use the public health care sector for free or reduced-cost medical treatment with emergency care. For full details on eligibility and how to apply for a card please click <a href="http://bit.ly/9B8ipv">here</a> Please note: The EHIC is <b>NOT</b> an alternative to travel insurance. It will not cover any private medical healthcare or the cost of things such as mountain rescue in ski resorts, repatriation to the UK, lost or stolen property etc.

Compulsary Vaccinations: None.
Recommended Immunisations: Tetanus <b>Consider:</b> Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B
Risks: Tick Borne Encephalitis (TBE): Ticks live in forests, woods, grasslands, riverside meadows, marshes, brushwood and shrublands. They usually live in the undergrowth, where they can easily get onto the clothes or skin of passers-by. Travellers intending to visit such areas are recommended to get vaccinated.

Passports must be valid for the entire length of intended visit, unless visitors require a visa, in which case passports must have at least 6 months validity on arrival

The following DO NOT require a visa: 1) Nationals of Poland 2) For an unrestricted length of stay by: a) Holders of passports issued by Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland Rep, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden & Switzerland b) Holders of British passports endorsed British Citizen 3) For stays up to 90 days by: a) Nationals of Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (S.A.R. & British Overseas passport holders), Israel, Japan, Korea (South), Macao (SAR passports), Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, St Kitts & Nevis, United States, Uruguay, Vatican City & Venezuela b) Holders of British passports endorsed British National (Overseas) or British Overseas Territories Citizen with the ï¿½right of abodeï¿½ label issued by the UK

Embassy

Consulate General of Poland 73 New Cavendish Street London, W1W 6LS tel: +44 20 7291 3900/14 fax: +44 20 7323 2320 e-mail: consulate@polishconsulate.co.uk website: www.polishconsulate.co.uk hours: 1000-1300 (Mon-Tue & Fri), 1000-1200 (Wed), 1300-1600 (Thu)