Poland
Travel Destination – Poland
Poland is a fascinating destination in Central Europe, known for its beautifully restored historic towns, cultural heritage, and diverse landscapes. Travellers can wander the cobbled streets of Kraków’s medieval Old Town, explore the modern capital of Warsaw, or visit important historical sites such as Auschwitz-Birkenau. Beyond the cities, Poland offers scenic national parks, the Baltic Sea coastline, and mountain ranges such as the Tatra Mountains along the southern border.
Poland has a modern healthcare system and high standards for food and water, meaning many health risks commonly associated with travel are relatively low. Nevertheless, travellers should still prepare carefully before departure, ensure routine vaccinations are current, and take sensible precautions against infections that circulate internationally.
Health Risks
Pre-travel preparation
Before travelling to Poland, arranging a consultation with a travel doctor is recommended to discuss travel health advice and ensure vaccinations are up to date. A travel health doctor can tailor health advice to your itinerary, whether you are exploring cities and historic locations, hiking in the Tatra Mountains, or exploring rural countryside areas.
Ideally, travellers should schedule their consultation six to eight weeks before departure. This allows sufficient time for recommended vaccines to become effective and for multi-dose vaccine courses if required. However, if your trip is approaching sooner, a last-minute consultation can still confirm vaccination status and provide valuable travel health advice. Travellers should also ensure they have comprehensive travel insurance that covers overseas medical care and emergency treatment.
Insect avoidance
In parts of Poland, particularly forested and rural areas during the warmer months, insects such as mosquitoes and ticks are present. Ticks can transmit infections including lyme disease and, in some regions of Central and Eastern Europe, tick-borne encephalitis.
Travellers planning outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, or walking through wooded or grassy areas should take steps to prevent insect bites. Wearing long-sleeved clothing and long pants helps reduce exposed skin, while applying insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus provides additional protection. After outdoor activities, travellers should check clothing and skin for ticks, particularly around the scalp, armpits, and behind the knees.
Food and water hygiene
Polish cuisine is hearty and comforting, featuring dishes such as pierogi dumplings, soups, sausages, and slow-cooked meats that reflect centuries of Central European culinary tradition. Food safety standards in Poland are generally high, and tap water is safe to drink in most urban areas. Despite this, travellers may occasionally experience gastroenteritis, particularly when trying unfamiliar foods or dining in crowded settings such as markets, festivals, or tourist restaurants.
Maintaining good hand hygiene remains an effective preventative measure. Wash hands with soap and water before eating or preparing food, or use alcohol-based hand sanitiser when handwashing facilities are unavailable. To help reduce the risk of gastrointestinal illness, choose food that is freshly prepared and served hot, and exercise caution with buffet-style meals that may remain at room temperature.
Rabies prevention
Rabies is present in Poland, although human cases are rare and vaccination programs have reduced infection in domestic animals. The virus is mainly carried by wild mammals such as foxes, raccoons, and bats, although unvaccinated dogs or cats may also pose a risk.
Travellers should avoid contact with unfamiliar animals, including wildlife and stray animals, even if they appear healthy. A travel doctor can advise whether pre-exposure rabies vaccination may be appropriate for travellers spending extended time in rural areas, working with animals, or engaging in activities such as caving or wildlife research. Any bite, scratch, or exposure to animal saliva should be assessed promptly by a medical professional, as rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms develop.
Our Travel Doctors
Our fully qualified doctors have an interest in travel medicine and immunisations. And they know travel. Their expert advice will be tailored for you, your travel companions and your trip.
Which shots do I need for Poland?
Measles
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Measles is a highly contagious viral infection spread through airborne respiratory droplets and direct contact with infected secretions. Symptoms commonly include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a distinctive rash that spreads across the body. Although vaccination coverage in Poland is high, measles outbreaks continue to occur in parts of Europe due to international travel and declining vaccination rates in some communities. Travellers born during or after 1966 should ensure they have received two documented doses of a measles-containing vaccine, such as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), before travelling overseas.
Influenza
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Influenza, otherwise known as “the flu”, is a viral respiratory illness that spreads easily between people through droplets produced when infected individuals cough, sneeze, or talk. Symptoms typically include fever, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, cough, and sore throat. Seasonal influenza occurs in Poland each year, particularly during the Northern Hemisphere winter months. International travel can put travellers at risk of transmission at any time of year. Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all travellers aged six months and older, especially those at increased risk of complications such as older adults, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic medical conditions.
COVID-19
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COVID-19 is a contagious respiratory disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and transmitted primarily through airborne particles and close contact with infected individuals. Symptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, shortness of breath, and loss of taste or smell. The virus continues to circulate globally, including in Poland. Travellers should ensure they are up to date with COVID-19 vaccination, with boosters advised six-monthly for adults over 75, and annually for adults aged 65 to 74 years. Additional boosters may be recommended for some people with underlying health conditions. Consult with a doctor whether a COVID-19 booster is advised for you.
Routine vaccinations
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Australia’s strong vaccination programs help maintain low rates of vaccine-preventable diseases, however, increased exposure to these conditions can occur with international travel. Routine immunisations remain an important part of travel health preparation when visiting Poland. Travellers should confirm that standard vaccines recommended in Australia are current before departure.
Before departure, travellers should confirm protection against infections such as tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, measles, mumps, and rubella to help reduce the risk of illness during international travel. Ensure polio vaccination is current to protect against polio, a virus that affects the brain and spinal cord. Vaccinations such as hepatitis A or hepatitis B may be recommended for some people depending on itinerary and risk factors. Adults who have not received booster doses in many years may require updates before travel. A travel health consultation can assess your vaccination history and provide personalised recommendations.
Poland
Other health risks in Poland
Gastroenteritis
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Gastroenteritis, sometimes called travellers’ diarrhoea, can occur in Poland despite the country’s generally high standards of food hygiene. Gastroenteritis can be caused by bacteria-contaminated food or water, or viruses in crowded environments.
Symptoms usually develop within one to three days after exposure, and may include diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and sometimes fever. Most cases are mild and resolve within several days, with hydration being the most important treatment. Medical advice should be sought if symptoms are severe, persistent, or associated with dehydration.
To prevent gastrointestinal illness, maintain effective hand hygiene before eating or preparing food. Choose food that is freshly prepared and served hot, and exercise caution with buffet-style meals that may remain at room temperature.
Rabies
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Rabies is present in Poland, although human cases are rare and vaccination programs have reduced infection in domestic animals. The virus is mainly carried by wild mammals such as foxes, raccoons, and bats, although unvaccinated dogs or cats may also pose a risk.
Travellers should avoid contact with unfamiliar animals, including wildlife and stray animals, even if they appear healthy. A travel doctor can advise whether pre-exposure rabies vaccination may be appropriate for travellers spending extended time in rural areas, working with animals, or engaging in activities such as caving or wildlife research. Any bite, scratch, or exposure to animal saliva should be assessed promptly by a medical professional, as rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms develop.
Lyme disease
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Lyme disease occurs in Poland and other parts of Central and Eastern Europe. It is caused by bacteria transmitted through the bite of infected Ixodes ticks, which are commonly found in forests, grassy areas, and rural environments.
Early symptoms can include fever, fatigue, headache, and an expanding circular rash known as erythema migrans, although the rash does not appear in all cases. Preventing tick bites through protective clothing, insect repellent, and careful tick checks after outdoor activities is the most effective way to reduce risk. If you have been bitten by a tick or display relevant symptoms, seek urgent medical attention because early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics greatly reduces the chance of complications.
Non-infectious conditions
Deep vein thrombosis
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Travelling from Australia to Poland usually involves long-haul flights and extended travel times, which can increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT occurs when reduced movement slows blood flow and allows blood clots to form in deep veins, most often in the legs.
To reduce risk, travellers should move around regularly during long flights, stretch their legs while seated, and stay well hydrated. Individuals with additional risk factors, such as pregnancy, recent surgery, or a previous history of blood clots, should seek medical advice before travelling. Wearing below-knee compression stockings may also be recommended for some travellers.
Crime and unrest
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Poland is generally considered a safe destination with relatively low rates of violent crime. However, petty theft such as pickpocketing and bag snatching can occur, particularly in crowded areas including train stations, public transport, markets, and popular tourist attractions in cities such as Warsaw and Kraków. Travellers should remain aware of their surroundings, keep valuables secure, and exercise caution in busy public areas.
Travellers should check the Australian Government’s Smartraveller website for the latest updates before departure and while travelling.