The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) reviewed its Poland travel advisory on 28 July, keeping the security level at “normal precautions” but highlighting that the Schengen Entry/Exit System eliminates manual passport stamps. The agency first added EES information in April, yet the new notice points out that travellers must still observe the 90/180-day rule even if no ink stamp appears. The update also reprises earlier warnings about Russian missile strikes in Ukraine within 20 km of Poland’s border and potential short-notice access restrictions to frontier areas. British nationals driving across the frontier are advised to monitor official Polish channels and factor possible closures into route planning. For UK-based companies with staff on rotational assignments in Poland, the advisory underscores the need to track Schengen days electronically—either through internal HR systems or specialist apps—because overstays are now flagged automatically at exit. Employers sponsoring UK passport holders for local contracts may still prefer national visas or residence permits to avoid day-count concerns. Although no visa is required for short business trips, the FCDO reminds travellers that ETIAS will become mandatory in late 2026. Firms should budget the modest €20 fee per traveller and update travel-policy templates accordingly.
Source: UK FCDO Travel Advice
