Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) updated its Smartraveller advisory for Poland on 17 September, keeping the overall level at “Exercise normal safety precautions” but adding specific guidance on the forthcoming Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES). The notice reminds Australians that, from late 2026, biometric registration on first entry will be mandatory and may cause longer queues at airports and land borders. The advisory also references Poland’s temporary border checks with Germany and Lithuania and warns of possible delays when travelling by road or rail. Travellers are urged to carry passports at all times, even on intra-Schengen legs, and to allow extra time for connections. DFAT highlights continued restrictions along the borders with Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. For corporate mobility teams moving Australian assignees into Polish hubs, the key action is to brief staff on EES enrolment and ensure passports have sufficient blank pages for the new electronic stamps. Companies operating shuttle services between Berlin and Warsaw should adjust timetables to reflect sporadic checks. The update also reiterates existing advice on drone-related air-space closures and urges travellers to monitor local media—a relevant point given the planned runway works at Warsaw Chopin Airport the same week. DFAT’s guidance shows that even countries deemed ‘low-risk’ can pose compliance headaches once new EU IT systems go live. Although the advisory targets Australians, the practical tips—carry ID, expect border queues, understand EES—apply equally to other third-country nationals planning business or leisure travel to Poland this autumn.
