Good to know
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Warsaw 19115 City Contact Centre
You don’t know how to get to your hotel? You need information about public transport? You are looking for cultural and sports events? Or maybe you need the law enforcement services?
Contact:
telephone 19115
Website www.warszawa19115
Free mobile app
Czat

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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)
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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
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Electricity
In Poland, the voltage is 230V, 50 Hz. The plug is the standard European double plug.
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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 – ChristmasOn public holidays and certain Sundays, shopping centres, supermarkets and most shops are closed.
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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
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Embassies
There are about one hundred embassies and consulates in Warsaw.
A current and complete list of Embassies
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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.