Poland plans to significantly raise financial requirements for foreigners

In Poland, they plan to substantially increase the minimum amounts of money that foreigners must have when entering the country. For short-term trips, financial requirements could grow more than threefold, and for long-term stays—fourfold.

This was reported on October 15 by the Polish outlet RMF24, citing a draft regulation by Poland's Ministry of the Interior and Administration (MSWiA) published on the website of the Government Legislation Centre.

According to the document, foreigners planning to stay in Poland for no more than four days will have to prove they have at least 1000 zloty to cover expenses. Currently the mandatory minimum is 300 zloty.

For trips lasting more than four days, it is proposed to raise the required amount from 75 to 300 zloty per day of stay.

Thus, a foreigner planning to spend a week in Poland will need to prove they have at least 2100 zloty instead of the current 525 zloty. The funds can be held not only in Polish currency but also in an equivalent amount in another currency.

Separate requirements are set for foreigners whose stay expenses are already paid. This category includes participants in organized tourist trips, youth camps and sports competitions, as well as people arriving for spa treatment.

Preferential terms also apply to participants in seasonal work programs during school breaks, if work is not the main purpose of the trip.

For these categories, the minimum amount will increase from 20 to 130 zloty per day. In addition, the overall mandatory minimum will rise from 100 to 650 zloty.

The ministry explains that even with pre-paid accommodation or meals, a foreigner needs additional money for other daily expenses.

Higher financial requirements are also proposed for foreign students, researchers, and participants in educational programs.

People coming to Poland for education, training, conducting scientific research, or carrying out research and development work will have to have at least 2020 zloty for the first two months of stay. Currently the required amount is 1270 zloty.

The draft authors explain the revision of requirements by the rising cost of living. The current financial standards have not been updated since 2016, although over the past decade the prices of goods and services have increased significantly.

According to the Polish Ministry of the Interior, the previous amounts no longer correspond to foreigners' actual expenses. The new thresholds should bring Poland's requirements closer to the standards of other Schengen countries with a comparable price level, in particular Bulgaria, Croatia, Lithuania, and Estonia.

For Ukrainian citizens planning trips to Poland, it is important to note that the requirements for proving financial means depend on the basis for entry. Current Polish rules provide exceptions for a number of categories of foreigners, including holders of residence permits and certain types of work visas. Therefore, the proposed amounts should not be regarded as mandatory for every Ukrainian crossing the border.

Additionally, upon entry, funds for the return journey may be checked if the foreigner does not have a corresponding ticket. These requirements are regulated separately from the minimum amount for accommodation.

The draft regulation was registered on October 14, 2026 and is at the stage of consultations and public discussion. The new financial requirements have not yet entered into force.

If the document is approved, the changes will take effect 30 days after its official publication. Until then, the current standards continue to apply.

Based on materials from: RMF24, Government Legislation Centre of Poland, Ministry of the Interior of Poland.