Cracow Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
Short-stay tourism, family or business visits without prior visa.
Days spent in other Schengen states count toward the 90-day limit. Stamp received on entry/exit even for EU-lane users.
From mid-2025 visa-free travelers must obtain ETIAS approval before boarding. Not a visa. But mandatory pre-travel clearance.
Cost: Budget-friendly flat fee payable by card.
Link ETIAS to the passport you will present at Cracow gate. New passport = new application.
Citizens not on the visa-exempt list must hold a Schengen type-C visa issued by Polish consulate.
First entry must be through the issuing country when "PL" appears in the "for" field; keep copies of hotel bookings for border checks.
Arrival Process
John Paul II Airport Kraków-Balice is small. Arriving passengers walk from the aircraft via jet-bridges or apron buses directly to one shared passport control hall.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
Poland applies EU duty-free ceilings. Anything above the allowance or on the restricted list must be declared in the red channel at Cracow airport.
Prohibited Items
- Meat, milk and products from non-EU countries, animal-health ban.
- Narcotics and psychotropic substances except with special permit.
- Counterfeit currency and goods infringing intellectual-property rights.
Restricted Items
- Firearms and ammunition, requires prior Polish Police permit.
- Medicines containing scheduled substances, carry prescription in your name.
Health Requirements
No compulsory vaccinations for entry to Cracow. But valid health insurance is checked at the border.
Required Vaccinations
- None for standard tourism.
Recommended Vaccinations
- Hepatitis A/B for longer stays, tick-borne encephalitis if planning rural spring/summer hikes outside Cracow, routine boosters: MMR, DPT, seasonal flu.
Health Insurance
Third-country nationals must show coverage of at least €30 000 for medical evacuation and emergency treatment in Poland. EU citizens should carry EHIC or GHIC for free state care. But private cover is advised for private Cracow clinics.
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Get a Quote from World NomadsImportant Contacts
Essential resources for your trip.
Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
minors who are not accompanied by both parents should carry a notarised consent letter plus copies of parents' passports; Polish border officers check for child-abduction prevention compliance.
dogs, cats and ferrets need an EU pet passport (or EU health certificate if coming from a listed third country), microchip and valid rabies vaccination at least 21 days old. Enter through designated traveller points with a vet on call.
apply for a temporary-residence permit at the Malopolska Provincial Office in Cracow before the 90-day stamp expires. Appointments fill weeks ahead, start the process early.
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