Emergencies

Emergency Phone Numbers

Below are the important emergency contact numbers in Poland:

To call an emergency service using a landline or a public phone, please dial the following:

999 – Ambulance
998 – Fire Brigade
997 – Police
986 – Municipal Guard (Straz Miejska)

To call for an emergency service using a mobile phone, please dial 112 for all the above services

As soon as the call is connected, you will be transferred to the appropriate service. You may also use any of these numbers (997, 998 or 999) if you are unsure which of the three emergency services is required. 

Calling Water and Mountain Rescue Services (WOPR and GOPR)

In Poland, you can also contact special rescue services responsible for lifesaving operations in the mountains and on the lakes and waterways:

Mountain rescue service (GOPR) – 601 100 300
Water rescue service (WOPR) – 601 100 100

Please note, all the numbers listed above should only be used in case of emergency and never to obtain tourist information.

Insurance

Your travel agent or insurance broker should be able to advise you about the best insurance cover for you and your family which also includes medical emergencies. Below you will find some further information about Poland.

Medical Insurance

When in Poland, foreign nationals may be required to cover the cost of medical assistance offered by the public health service. Free emergency treatment is available to visitors from the European Union and several other countries with which Poland has signed international agreements (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Russia and Serbia). EU nationals are required to produce a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

If you are not a national of any of the countries listed above, you will need to make your own arrangements and you are strongly advised to obtain suitable medical insurance cover before you leave home.

Standard Precautions

Poland is a safe country. Police statistics show that life in Poland is more secure than in many other countries in Europe. The millions of tourists visiting the country every year can confirm that the Polish people justifiably pride themselves on friendliness and hospitality towards foreign visitors.

To get the best out of your holiday in Poland, it is always prudent to take the usual precautions. When visiting a city for the first time, for your own piece of mind, it is best to follow established tourist routes, where there are more people to ask for directions and assistance if required.

Do not be afraid to explore further a field but you should always take the usual precautions. Carry your valuables in the most inaccessible place possible, especially while travelling on public transport during rush hours, avoiding empty streets after dark or only using registered taxis.

It is always better to park your car in supervised or other public car parks and to avoid leaving any possessions in full view inside your car.

Poland is free of domestic terrorism and the threat level from international terrorism is relatively low.
Please bear in mind that in the event of falling victim to petty crime or in any other emergency you should immediately contact the local police on telephone number 997 or the Municipal Guard (Straz Miejska) on the 986. Municipal Guards are an auxiliary law and order support service whose uniformed officers can be found patrolling the streets of all major Polish cities.

Police and the Emergency Services

In Poland, various law and order and emergency services ensure that visitors can enjoy their holidays safely.

Police (Policja)

• In case of emergency dial 997 from a landline or 112 from a mobile phone.

Municipal Guard (Straz Miejska)

The Municipal Guard is an auxiliary law and order service. They have powers similar to the police, so you can turn to them for assistance in most cases. They also have the right to issue fines for various types of public order offences such as illegal parking or anti-social behaviour.

• Municipal Guard contact number - 986.

Fire Service (Straz Pozarna)

• In case of emergency dial 998 from a landline or 112 from a mobile phone.

Mountain Rescue (GOPR)

The Volunteer Mountain Rescue Service (GOPR) is a nationwide rescue organisation with special responsibility for the mountainous regions which include rescue operations, accident prevention and protection of the environment in the mountains. GOPR team members wear red or red-and-blue fleece jackets, coats and trousers. Their logo is an oval symbol with a blue cross in the middle, or just the cross sewn onto the clothing.

• In case of emergency dial 601 100 300.

Water Rescue (WOPR)

The Volunteer Water Rescue Service (WOPR) is a nationwide rescue organisation responsible for ensuring the safety on Poland's waterways and lakes. WOPR teams also patrol public beaches and provide lifeguard services to the users of open water holiday facilities.

• In case of emergency dial 601 100 100.

Road Transport Inspectorate

This agency is responsible for supervising the safety of road transport. They can stop and check buses, coaches and road haulage vehicles to ensure the safety of passengers and other road users.

Accidents

Visiting Poland is a great opportunity to sightsee, relax and enjoy oneself. Should an emergency occur, please find some basic information to help you cope with some unforeseen events.

Health

Poland's medical facilities are of an equivalent standard as those in other EU countries. Private medical facilities are comparatively inexpensive and also of a good standard.

EU nationals can gain access to emergency medical treatment in Poland free of charge. Because the E111 Form is no longer valid, you should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving home. The EHIC will not cover you for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature so all visitors are advised to check if their travel insurance policy covers them for such eventualities.

Before your trip you may want to take the usual steps of preparing a record of any treatment you may be undergoing or medication you are receiving and keeping these details with you. This will enable the medical services to react quickly in the event of an emergency situation.

Emergency

In the event of an accident you may require calling for an ambulance, using the number 999, or 112 from a mobile phone.

UK and Irish Missions in Warsaw

If, during your visit to Poland, you have lost your identity document or need to ask the British or Irish Consul for assistance in any other matter, please find the relevant contact details below:

BRITISH EMBASSY
CONSULAR SECTION
Warsaw Corporate Centre
2nd Floor
ul. Emilii Plater 28
00-688 Warsaw
tel. (48 22) 311 00 00
fax. (48 22) 311 02 50
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The following link will take you to the British Embassy in Poland website: http://www.britishembassy.pl.

EMBASSY OF IRELAND
ul. Mysia 5
00-496 Warszawa
Tel: (48 22) 849 66 33
Fax: (48 22) 849 84 31
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The following link will take you to the Irish Embassy in Poland website: http://www.irlandia.pl