New quarantine rules for people arriving in Poland

On 14 March 2020, the Polish government introduced a state of emergency in Poland and imposed temporary border restrictions in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Under the new rules, anyone crossing the Polish border (except for professional drivers, uniformed and diplomatic services) had to self-isolate for 14 days. Although most of the restrictions and internal border controls will remain in place until 12 June, some travellers to Poland have now been exempted from the mandatory 14-day self-isolation. From now on, the following people will not be required to go into quarantine when arriving in Poland:

• Pupils and students receiving education in Poland,
• Pupils and students (and their carers) crossing an internal (EU) border to receive education in Poland or a neighbouring country,
• Preschool children (and their carers) crossing the border to receive education in Poland or a neighbouring country,
• People working on cross-border farms,
• Soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland or allied forces, officers of the Polish Police, the Border Guard, the State Fire Service or national security services carrying out their professional duties,
• Citizens of the EU, EEA or Switzerland and their spouses and children passing through Poland on the way to their destination.

It is worth remembering that individuals who cross an internal border in order to perform their professional duties in Poland or a neighbouring country are also exempt from the quarantine rule.

Poland plans to reopen its borders to international travellers from 12 June. Until then, the following categories of travellers are allowed to enter the country:

• Polish citizens,
• Foreign spouses and children of Polish citizens,
• Foreigners holding a Pole’s Card (Karta Polaka)
• Personnel of diplomatic and consular missions and their families,
• Foreigners holding a temporary or permanent residence permit,
• Foreigners allowed to work in Poland (holding a work permit, a certificate of application for a seasonal work permit or a declaration of intention to employ a foreigner) who are already employed or about to start a job in Poland,
• Pupils and students receiving education in Poland,
• Citizens of the EU, EEA or Switzerland and their spouses and children passing through Poland on the way to their destination (provided that the journey takes no more than 12 hours),
• Drivers transporting goods or people as part of their work duties.