Poland Visa RequirementsFor Slovakia passport holders
Slovak passport holders enter Poland freely. Slovakia and Poland share a border through the Tatra Mountains and are both EU and Schengen members. Cross-border travel is effortless for Slovaks.
Great news! Slovakia passport holders can enter Poland without a visa for tourism or business purposes.
No visa application needed. Slovak citizens present their national ID card or passport. Regular train and bus connections link Bratislava to Warsaw and Krakow. The Tatra Mountain region is shared between the two countries.
Poland is part of the Schengen Area. Your stay counts toward the 90-day limit within any 180-day period for the entire Schengen zone. Learn more about Schengen rules →
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
3 months beyond departure from Schengen
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Required Documents
Valid Passport or National ID
A valid Slovak passport or national ID card.
Current Travel Situation
Slovakia to Poland: What You Need to Know
Poland and Slovakia share a border and are both European Union and Schengen Area member states. Slovak citizens enjoy full freedom of movement to Poland with no visa required. The Polish Tatras are a popular hiking destination for Slovaks. Krakow is just a few hours from Bratislava by train. A national ID card or passport is sufficient for entry.
How to Get There
Czech Republic and Germany are accessible from Poland. The Baltic coast of Poland is a popular summer destination. Ukraine borders Poland to the east.
Money & Banking
Poland uses the Polish Zloty (PLN). Currency exchange is available at border crossings, banks, and exchange offices in cities. ATMs are widespread throughout Poland. Credit cards are widely accepted in Warsaw, Krakow, and major cities. Cash is useful in smaller towns.
Practical Tips
Poland uses the Polish Zloty (PLN), not the Euro. Krakow is a popular weekend destination from Slovakia. Warsaw, Gdansk, and the Masurian Lakes are other highlights. Poland is generally affordable compared to Western Europe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Slovak citizens need a visa for Poland?
No. Poland and Slovakia are both EU and Schengen member states. Slovak citizens can travel freely to Poland without a visa using a passport or national ID card.
Do Slovak citizens need a visa for Poland?
No. Both Slovakia and Poland are EU and Schengen members sharing a border. Slovak citizens travel to Poland freely with just a national ID card.
What currency does Poland use?
Poland uses the Polish zloty (PLN), not the euro, despite being an EU member. As of 2025, EUR 1 is approximately PLN 4.25. Withdraw zloty from ATMs for the best rates.
What currency does Poland use?
Poland uses the Polish Zloty (PLN), not the Euro. Currency exchange is needed. ATMs are widespread and exchange offices are available at border crossings and in cities.
How do I get from Bratislava to Krakow?
Krakow is approximately 420 km from Bratislava (4 hours by car via the D1 and A4 motorways). FlixBus and RegioJet offer direct Bratislava-Krakow bus connections. Flights via Vienna or Prague are also available.
How do you get from Slovakia to Poland?
Slovakia and Poland share a border through the Tatra Mountains. Regular train and bus connections link Bratislava to Krakow (approximately 5 hours) and Warsaw. By car, the border crossing at Chyzne is most used.
Is the Wieliczka Salt Mine worth visiting?
Yes. The Wieliczka Salt Mine near Krakow is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Poland's most visited attractions. It has been continuously operating since the 13th century. The underground tour (3.5 km, 2-3 hours) passes salt-carved chapels (the stunning St. Kinga's Chapel, 54 m underground), chambers, and lakes. Book tickets in advance in summer.
Are the Slovak and Polish Tatras connected?
Yes. The Tatra Mountains are shared between Slovakia and Poland - the High Tatras (Vysoke Tatry) on the Slovak side and Zakopane on the Polish side. Cross-border hiking is very popular. Both areas are part of the wider Tatra National Park.
What is the Auschwitz-Birkenau memorial and museum?
Auschwitz-Birkenau was the largest Nazi German concentration and extermination camp, located near Oswiecim, 70 km from Krakow. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a museum and memorial where 1.1 million people (predominantly Jewish) were killed between 1940 and 1945. A guided tour (3-3.5 hours) is mandatory for Auschwitz I; Auschwitz II-Birkenau can be visited independently. Book timed entry tickets at auschwitz.org months in advance in summer.
Is Poland affordable for Slovak tourists?
Poland is similarly affordable to Slovakia. Warsaw can be slightly expensive but Krakow, Gdansk, and rural areas offer excellent value. Dining out, accommodation, and entertainment are very reasonably priced.
Is Krakow affordable compared to Slovakia?
Yes. Despite price increases in recent years, Krakow remains notably cheaper than Bratislava for accommodation and dining. A mid-range restaurant dinner costs PLN 50-80 (EUR 12-19). Polish craft beer is excellent and affordable (PLN 12-18 per 0.5L).
What are the top attractions in Poland for Slovak visitors?
Krakow (Wawel Castle, Kazimierz Jewish quarter, Auschwitz-Birkenau), Warsaw (Old Town, WWII history), Gdansk (Baltic port city), the Masurian Lakes, and Zakopane (Tatra resort) are most popular.
What are pierogies and other must-try Polish foods?
Pierogi (stuffed dumplings) are Poland's most iconic dish: filled with potato and cheese (ruskie), meat, or sauerkraut and mushrooms, boiled or pan-fried. Bigos (hunter's stew of sauerkraut, meat, and mushrooms), zurek (sour rye soup with white sausage and egg), oscypek (smoked sheep's cheese from the Tatras), and barszcz (beetroot soup) are other essential Polish foods.
Is the language barrier a problem between Slovakia and Poland?
Slovak and Polish are both Slavic languages and are mutually intelligible to a degree. Most Slovaks and Poles can understand each other with some effort. Communication is much easier than with Hungarian or German speakers.