United Kingdom Visa RequirementsFor Poland passport holders
Polish citizens visit the UK visa-free for up to 6 months per visit. Since January 2025, an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) costing GBP 16 is required before travel . it is a simple online application, not a visa.
Great news! Poland passport holders can enter United Kingdom without a visa for tourism or business purposes. You can stay up to 180 days.
Polish citizens do not need a visa for stays up to 6 months. However, since January 8, 2025, an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is required before travel. Apply online at the UK government website or via the UKVI app. Cost: GBP 16 (approximately PLN 80). The ETA is typically approved within minutes to a few hours and is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires. It allows multiple trips, each up to 6 months. Present your ETA at check-in. Working in the UK requires a separate visa. The UK is not part of Schengen; time in the UK does not count toward Schengen 90/180-day limits.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Current Travel Situation
Poland to United Kingdom: What You Need to Know
The United Kingdom hosts the largest Polish community outside Poland: approximately 800,000-900,000 Poles live in the UK, primarily in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh, and Nottingham. Polish is the most spoken non-English language in the UK. This connection makes the UK one of the most visited destinations for Polish travelers , visiting family, for tourism, or for work purposes. London is a world-class city with iconic landmarks (Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, the British Museum, the Tate galleries), extraordinary multicultural food, and the world's most diverse theater scene. Beyond London: Edinburgh (the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, the Fringe Festival), the Scottish Highlands, the Lake District, Bath (Roman baths, Georgian architecture), Oxford, Cambridge, and Wales (Snowdonia, Pembrokeshire) all offer distinct experiences. Note: the UK left the EU (Brexit 2020). Poland-UK relations remain warm but some practical arrangements changed.
How to Get There
The UK's island geography means connections go via air or sea. Ireland (Dublin) is 1h20m by air from London or 2 hours from Stansted; the Common Travel Area means no border checks between the Republic and Northern Ireland. Amsterdam is 1h20m from London. Paris is 2h15m by Eurostar. Edinburgh to Dublin is 1h20m by air. The Scotland-Northern Ireland ferry takes 2h20m. Eurostar now connects London to Amsterdam directly (3h55m).
Money & Banking
The UK uses the British pound sterling (GBP). The UK, and London especially, is expensive: a pub meal costs GBP 14-22, a pint of beer GBP 5-7, a coffee GBP 3-5. Outside London, Edinburgh, and other major cities are cheaper; rural areas and small towns offer considerably better value. Cards are universally accepted; contactless is ubiquitous. Tipping 10-15% is customary in restaurants. The Travelcard or Oyster card covers London Underground, buses, and rail within zones. VAT relief for tourists was abolished post-Brexit.
Practical Tips
London Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), Stansted (STN), Luton (LTN), and City (LCY) airports all have extensive LOT Polish Airlines, Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet connections from Warsaw (2h30m), Krakow, Wroclaw, Gdansk, Poznan, Katowice, Rzeszow, and other Polish cities. The Eurostar from Paris to London takes 2h15m and from Brussels 2h. Ferry services from Calais/Dunkirk take 1h30m-2h by sea. Within the UK, National Rail connects cities; the Elizabeth line, Tube (Underground), and Overground cover London.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Polish citizens need a visa for the UK?
No. Polish citizens do not need a visa for the UK for stays up to 6 months. However, from April 2025, a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is required before travel.
What is the UK ETA and how do I apply?
The UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is mandatory for Polish citizens traveling to the UK from April 2025. Apply at eta.homeoffice.gov.uk or via the UKVI app. Cost: GBP 10. Valid for 2 years or until passport expiry. Approval is usually within hours to a few days.
How large is the Polish community in the UK?
The UK has the largest Polish community in the world outside Poland, with approximately 800,000-900,000 Poles residing there. Polish is the most widely spoken non-English language in England and Wales. The largest concentrations are in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh, and Slough. Polish shops (Sklep Polski), restaurants, media (Polish newspapers, TV channels), and community organizations are present across the UK.
How many Poles live in the UK?
The UK has one of the world's largest Polish communities, with approximately 700,000-900,000 Polish nationals registered. Polish is the second most widely spoken language in the UK. The community concentrated particularly in London, Birmingham, and the East of England.
What did Brexit change for Polish citizens visiting the UK?
Since Brexit (UK formally left the EU on January 31, 2020), Polish citizens lost the right to live and work in the UK without a visa. Tourism (up to 6 months) remains visa-free but now requires an ETA (since January 8, 2025). Polish citizens who were already resident in the UK before December 31, 2020 could apply for Settled Status or Pre-Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme. New Polish workers now need appropriate UK work visas.
Did Brexit affect Polish citizens in the UK?
Yes significantly. EU freedom of movement ended for new arrivals. Poles who were resident in the UK before 30 June 2021 and applied for Settled or Pre-Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme retain their residency rights. New arrivals need to apply for specific visas for work or study beyond 6 months.
What are the must-see attractions in London?
London's top free attractions: the British Museum (world-class collection including the Rosetta Stone and Elgin Marbles), Tate Modern (contemporary art in a former power station), the National Gallery (Trafalgar Square, European masterpieces), the National History Museum, and all Royal Parks. Paid attractions: the Tower of London (crown jewels, ravens), Buckingham Palace State Rooms (summer only), the Churchill War Rooms, and the View from the Shard. Book popular attractions online in advance.
Can Polish citizens still work in the UK post-Brexit?
Not freely. Polish citizens who were resident before the Brexit deadline and hold Settled Status can continue working. New arrivals need a Skilled Worker visa or other appropriate visa category. The work rights are no longer automatic as under EU rules.
How do I get from London to other parts of the UK?
Avanti West Coast trains go from London Euston to Birmingham (1h25m), Manchester (2h10m), and Edinburgh (4h35m via Virgin or Avanti). LNER runs London Kings Cross to Leeds (2h10m), York (1h50m), Newcastle (2h45m), and Edinburgh (4h20m). Great Western Railway serves Bath (1h30m from Paddington), Bristol (1h45m), and Cardiff (2h). The Caledonian Sleeper overnight train connects London Euston to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness, and Fort William.
Do I need a Polish passport or can I use a national ID card for the UK?
A Polish passport is required for UK entry. Polish national ID cards are not accepted for UK entry since Brexit (2021). Ensure your passport is valid.
What is the Scottish Highlands and is it worth the journey from London?
The Scottish Highlands are a vast wilderness of mountains, lochs, glens, and ancient castles in northern Scotland. The Glencoe valley, Loch Ness (home of the mythical monster), the Isle of Skye (Fairy Pools, Old Man of Storr, Quiraing), Ben Nevis (the UK's highest peak), and Cairngorms National Park are the highlights. Access from London: fly to Inverness (1h30m) or Glasgow (1h20m) and rent a car. The train from London to Inverness takes 8-9 hours (scenic but long). A minimum of 4-5 days is recommended for Highlands exploration.
Are direct flights from Poland to the UK easy to find?
Yes. Poland-UK is one of Europe's busiest aviation corridors. Ryanair, Wizz Air, LOT, British Airways, and easyJet offer daily flights from Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk, Wroclaw, Katowice, Poznan, Rzeszow, and other Polish airports to London (LHR, LGW, STN, LCY), Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol, and more.
Is Northern Ireland part of the UK?
Yes. Northern Ireland is one of the four constituent countries of the United Kingdom. It shares a land border with the Republic of Ireland (which remains in the EU). No checks exist at the Ireland-Northern Ireland border under the Good Friday Agreement framework.