Good to know

• Emergency calls
  

  • Emergency 112
  • Police 997
  • Ambulance 999
  • Fire Brigade 998
  • City Guard 986
  • Emergency number for foreigners: +48 608 599 999
  Monday – Friday 8am – 4pm (information in Polish and English)
  

• Cash
  

  The currency in Poland is the Polish Złoty (PLN) 1 PLN = 100 groszy.
  Coins circulate in denominations of 1 PLN, 2 PLN, 5 PLN and 10, 20 and 50 groszy; banknotes are in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 PLN.
  In some larger stores, such as hypermarkets, and at some cash-only windows, you can pay in Euros. You must notify the cashier that you will be paying in Euros, but note that it is not a popular currency in Poland yet, and chances are that your change will be given in PLN.

Currency Exchange
Currency should be exchanged at a registered exchange point. Usually, there is no commission for exchanging currency. Note that cash should not be exchanged on the street or with bystanders.

VAT Refund
Travellers from outside of the European Union may apply to receive full reimbursement of VAT for goods purchased in Poland. You must purchase a minimum of 300 PLN of goods in shops displaying a blue and white ‘Tax Free’ sign. You must also inform the salesperson of your intention to recover the tax. To do so, fill out a special form, which must be shown at customs when leaving the EU zone. Detailed information is available at www.globalblue.com

• Electricity
  

  In Poland, the voltage is 230V, 50 Hz. The plug is the standard European double plug.

• Public holidays
  

  January 1 – New Year’s Day
  January 6 – Epiphany
  March/April – Easter Sunday and Monday
  May 1 – Labour Day
  May 3 – May Third National Day (Constitution Day)
  May – Pentecostal Sunday – moveable feast (not tied to a specific date)
  May/June – Corpus Christi – moveable feast, always celebrated on a Thursday
  August 15 – Assumption of the Holy Virgin Mary
  November 1 – All Saints’ Day
  November 11 – Independence Day
  December 25 and 26 – Christmas

  On public holidays and certain Sundays, shopping centres, supermarkets and most shops are closed.

• Internet
  

  In Warsaw, you can use the free hot spot network.
  Wireless Internet spots are marked with “HOT SPOT UM-Warsaw” signs, which are blue or brown.
  Find out more about the coverage and location of the free wireless network

• Embassies
  

  There are about one hundred embassies and consulates in Warsaw.
  A current and complete list of Embassies

• Prohibition of drinking alcohol and smoking
  

  In Warsaw, smoking cigarettes at public transport stops and in clubs, pubs and restaurants (unless there are separate rooms for smokers) is prohibited.

  Drinking alcohol in public places (parks, squares, streets, etc.) outside of designated places such as summer gardens in certain restaurants, pubs and Vistula boulevards is also prohibited.

  Breaking the rules can result in a fine.