Poland's Official Travel Website

European structures: Brighter together

Since 1999 Poland has been a member of NATO, and since 2004 it has been a part of the European Union. In the referendum held on 7–8 June 2003, 77% of Poles voted to become citizens of a united Europe.

Poland had been preparing for EU accession for many years. Negotiations began in 1990, and four years later, an official membership application was made. On 1 May 2004, in the select company of nine other countries, we finally joined the European Union.

Poland is now the sixth largest EU country in terms of size and population. It is also one of the most promising of the new member states: Poland’s economic growth is among the fastest in Europe. To honour Robert Schumann, whose ideas led to the creation of the European Union, a colourful Schumann Parade takes place in Warsaw every year.

We have been a NATO member country since 12 March 1999. We play an active part in the alliance’s military campaigns and peacekeeping operations, and we lend support to the foreign policy aims of the United States. Poland’s military training grounds are used for manoeuvres involving NATO troops.