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
  

  Coming to Warsaw is always a great idea. However, check the dates of public holidays in Poland. Many attractions and shops may be closed then or may have different opening hours.

  Public holidays in Poland in 2022 and 2023:
  1 January – New Year’s Day
  6 January – Epiphany
  1 May – Labour Day
  3 May – Constitution Day
  15 August – Assumption Day and Polish Army Day
  1 November – All Saints’ Day
  11 November – Independence Day
  25 and 26 December – Christmas

  There are also holidays that fall on a different date each year, the so-called moving holidays:
  Easter:
  2022: 17-18 April
  2023: 9-10 April

  Pentecost / Whitsun:
  2022: 5 June
  2023: 28 May

  Corpus Christi:
  2022: 16 June
  2023: 8 June

  All shops, shopping centres, supermarkets and government offices are closed during public holidays. Also closed are some tourist attractions, museums, art galleries, etc.
  Check which places remain open at Warsaw Tourist Information points or on the website about attractions open on holidays.

  ATTENTION!
  In Poland, most Sundays are non-trade days. This means that shops remain closed on these days. The exception are small grocery shops, such as Carrefour Express, Żabka. You can do your shopping on trade Sundays without any problems:

  Trading Sundays in 2022:
  30 January
  10 April
  24 April
  26 June
  28 August
  11 December
  18 December

  
  Trading Sundays in 2023:
  29 January
  2 April
  30 April
  25 June
  27 August
  17 December
  24 December

• 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.