Do Polish citizens need a visa to visit the United States, Canada, or Australia?

Polish citizens do NOT need a traditional visa for these countries but must obtain electronic travel authorization: USA requires ESTA, Canada requires eTA, and Australia requires eVisitor/ETA. These are online applications processed before travel, typically approved within minutes to 72 hours. They are valid for multiple entries (USA: 2 years, Canada: 5 years, Australia: 1 year).

Can Polish passport holders travel to the UK visa-free after Brexit?

Yes, Polish citizens can visit the UK visa-free for tourism and short stays up to 6 months. However, since Brexit, an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is required starting in 2025. The ETA costs £10, is valid for 2 years, and must be obtained online before travel. For work or long-term residence, Polish citizens now require appropriate UK visas.

Which countries require Polish citizens to obtain a visa in advance?

Polish passport holders need advance visas for 16 countries including Afghanistan, Algeria, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo Republic, Eritrea, Ghana, Guyana, Libya, Mali, Nauru, Niger, North Korea, Sudan, Turkmenistan, and Yemen. Additionally, 25 countries offer e-visas (including Russia, India, China for certain regions, and various African nations), and 27 countries offer visa-on-arrival.

Is military service mandatory for Polish citizens and does it affect passport validity?

Poland suspended mandatory military service in 2009 and currently maintains a professional volunteer army. Male citizens are still required to register for potential conscription at age 18, but active service is not compulsory. This does not affect passport issuance, renewal, or travel rights. Polish citizens can travel freely regardless of military registration status.

Can I work in other EU countries with a Polish passport?

Yes, Polish passport holders have full freedom of movement and right to work in all 27 EU member states, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway (EEA), and Switzerland without requiring work permits or visas. You can live, work, study, and access services in these countries under EU law. This is one of the key benefits of Polish EU citizenship.

Do Polish citizens need a visa for popular tourist destinations like Thailand, Japan, or Brazil?

No visa required: Thailand (60 days visa-free), Japan (90 days visa-free), Brazil (90 days visa-free), Singapore (90 days), South Korea (90 days), Malaysia (90 days), and Philippines (30 days). Poland's strong passport ranking allows visa-free access to most major tourist destinations worldwide, making it excellent for leisure and business travel.

What is the process for renewing a Polish passport and how long does it take?

Polish passports can be renewed at any provincial office (Urząd Wojewódzki) in Poland or Polish consulates abroad. Standard processing takes 30 days, expedited service is available in 2-7 days for additional fees. Required documents: completed application form, current/expired passport, one biometric photo, and proof of Polish citizenship. Cost ranges from 140 PLN (standard) to 260 PLN (express). Passports are valid for 10 years (adults) or 5 years (children).

Can Polish passport holders visit Russia and China, and what are the requirements?

Russia: Polish citizens need an e-visa (available for certain regions including St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad) or traditional visa depending on the purpose and destination. China: Visa required for most visits, though some transit exemptions exist (144-hour visa-free transit in major cities). Vietnam recently added visa-free access for Polish citizens (45 days). Both countries have specific entry requirements and processing times of 5-10 business days.

Are there any travel restrictions or countries that ban Polish passport holders?

Poland has no widespread travel bans, but practical restrictions exist for North Korea (visa required, rarely issued to tourists), Syria (e-visa available but travel highly inadvisable due to conflict), and Afghanistan (visa required, embassy operations suspended). Some countries like Turkmenistan have restrictive visa policies. Polish citizens should always check current travel advisories from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs before visiting high-risk destinations.

Poland Passport Ranking – Visa Free Access to 185 Countries

The Poland passport ranks 7th globally in 2025, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 185 destinations worldwide. As a European Union member state passport, it provides Polish citizens with exceptional travel freedom and mobility across Europe, the Americas, and numerous other countries. The passport has shown consistent improvement in global rankings, rising from 16th place in 2006 to its current top-10 position, reflecting Poland's strong international relations and EU membership benefits. Polish passport holders enjoy significant travel advantages, making it one of the most powerful passports for international business, tourism, and personal travel.

Global Rank

out of 199 countries

Visa Free Access

185

countries worldwide

Mobility Score

out of 100 points

Quick Statistics for Poland passport

144

Visa-Free

On Arrival

ETA Required

E-Visa

Visa Required

Source: Skyscanner & Official Government Websites.

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Polish Citizens

Popular destinations where Poland passport holders can travel without a visa:

Country	Maximum Stay	Code
France	Up to 90 days	FR
Singapore	Up to 90 days	SG
Thailand	Up to 30 days	TH
Japan	Up to 90 days	JP
United States	Up to 90 days	US

Visa Requirements by Country

Complete breakdown of visa requirements for Poland passport holders

✅ Visa-Free

144 countries

🛬 Visa on Arrival

27 countries

🔐 ETA Required

14 countries

💻 E-Visa

25 countries

❌ Visa Required

16 countries

Historical Ranking Trend

Poland's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Trend: Improved by 9 positions from 2006 to 2025

Official Poland Passport & Travel Resources

Access official government resources for passport services, travel advisories, and visa information:

🔗

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland

🔗

Polish Passport Information

🔗

Consular Services - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

🔗

Polish Border Guard

🔗

Travel Advice - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Compare Poland Passport with Other Passports

See how Poland's passport compares with other EUROPE in the same ranking tier:

Country	Rank	Visa-Free Destinations	Mobility Score	Global Score
Poland (You are here)	#7	185	85/100	93/100
Switzerland	#4	188	95/100	94/100
Spain	#4	188	92/100	93/100
Italy	#4	188	94/100	75/100
Germany	#4	188	95/100	75/100
Luxembourg	#4	188	95/100	33/100

*Mobility score calculated based on visa-free access and global travel freedom.

*Global score reflects overall passport strength considering various factors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

The Polish passport ranks 7th globally in 2025 with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 185 destinations. This is one of the strongest passports in the world, offering extensive travel freedom. Poland's EU membership provides additional benefits including freedom of movement, right to work, and residence across all EU/EEA countries without restrictions.

Explore More Passport Rankings

Discover Poland's passport power and compare with other countries to find the world's most powerful travel documents.

View All Passport Rankings

Last Updated: November 9, 2025

Source: IATA Travel Centre, Skyscanner & Official Government Websites.

Poland Passport Ranking – Visa Free Access to 185 Countries

Country

Maximum Stay

Code

Up to 90 days

Up to 90 days

Up to 30 days

Up to 90 days

Up to 90 days

Historical Ranking Trend

Poland's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Trend: Improved by 9 positions from 2006 to 2025

Compare Poland Passport with Other Passports

See how Poland's passport compares with other EUROPE in the same ranking tier:

Country	Rank	Visa-Free Destinations	Mobility Score	Global Score
Poland (You are here)	#7	185	85/100	93/100
Switzerland	#4	188	95/100	94/100
Spain	#4	188	92/100	93/100
Italy	#4	188	94/100	75/100
Germany	#4	188	95/100	75/100
Luxembourg	#4	188	95/100	33/100

*Mobility score calculated based on visa-free access and global travel freedom.

*Global score reflects overall passport strength considering various factors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Quick Statistics for Poland passport

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Polish Citizens

Visa Requirements by Country

✅ Visa-Free

🛬 Visa on Arrival

🔐 ETA Required

💻 E-Visa

❌ Visa Required

Historical Ranking Trend

Poland's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Official Poland Passport & Travel Resources

Compare Poland Passport with Other Passports

Frequently Asked Questions:

How powerful is the Polish passport in 2025 and how many countries can I visit visa-free?

Do Polish citizens need a visa to visit the United States, Canada, or Australia?

Can Polish passport holders travel to the UK visa-free after Brexit?

Which countries require Polish citizens to obtain a visa in advance?

Is military service mandatory for Polish citizens and does it affect passport validity?

Can I work in other EU countries with a Polish passport?

Do Polish citizens need a visa for popular tourist destinations like Thailand, Japan, or Brazil?

What is the process for renewing a Polish passport and how long does it take?

Can Polish passport holders visit Russia and China, and what are the requirements?

Are there any travel restrictions or countries that ban Polish passport holders?

Explore More Passport Rankings

Quick Statistics for Poland passport

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Polish Citizens

Visa Requirements by Country

✅ Visa-Free

🛬 Visa on Arrival

🔐 ETA Required

💻 E-Visa

❌ Visa Required

Historical Ranking Trend

Poland's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Official Poland Passport & Travel Resources

Compare Poland Passport with Other Passports

Frequently Asked Questions:

How powerful is the Polish passport in 2025 and how many countries can I visit visa-free?

Do Polish citizens need a visa to visit the United States, Canada, or Australia?

Can Polish passport holders travel to the UK visa-free after Brexit?

Which countries require Polish citizens to obtain a visa in advance?

Is military service mandatory for Polish citizens and does it affect passport validity?

Can I work in other EU countries with a Polish passport?

Do Polish citizens need a visa for popular tourist destinations like Thailand, Japan, or Brazil?

What is the process for renewing a Polish passport and how long does it take?

Can Polish passport holders visit Russia and China, and what are the requirements?

Are there any travel restrictions or countries that ban Polish passport holders?

Explore More Passport Rankings