Travel Documents

Poland is a member state of the European Union (EU) and of the Schengen Agreement. Information about countries whose nationals may enter Poland without a visa is available here. Invitation letter is available during registration. 

Emergencies and Insurance

Emergency service phone numbers
112 General emergency number (which is operated in English as well) – dial without any area code
997 Police
998 Fire Brigade
999 Ambulance
Note: Emergency calls are toll-free

The EMF-15 Organising Committee or its agents, will not be responsible for any medical expenses, loss or accidents incurred during the conference. Delegates are strongly advised to arrange their own personal insurance to cover medical and other expenses including accident or loss. It is recommended that citizens from EU countries bring with them a current EHIC card.

Currency exchange and payments

In Poland, currency exchange services are widely available and straightforward to use. The official currency is the Polish złoty (PLN), which is abbreviated as "zł." 

Where to Exchange Currency

1. Currency Exchange Offices (Kantors): These are the most popular places for exchanging currency. Kantors are widely available in city centers, shopping malls, and near tourist areas, offering competitive rates with generally low or no fees.
2. Banks: Polish banks also provide currency exchange services, though their rates may sometimes be slightly less favorable compared to kantors, and they may charge a small commission.
3. ATMs: Many ATMs across Poland offer foreign currency withdrawals in PLN. This option can be convenient but may incur additional fees from both the local bank and the cardholder’s home bank.
4. Airports and Hotels: Airports and major hotels also offer currency exchange, though rates here are typically less favorable compared to kantors or banks.

Tips for Currency Exchange

• Compare Rates: Rates can vary, so it’s a good idea to check different kantors or banks before exchanging large amounts.
• Avoid Exchange at the Airport: Rates at airports are usually less favorable, so it’s better to exchange a small amount there if needed and make larger exchanges in the city.
• Credit and Debit Cards: Major credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Poland, so you may only need cash for smaller purchases or in more remote areas.

Card payments are widely accepted, making it easy and convenient for both locals and visitors to make purchases without needing much cash. Visa and Mastercard are the most commonly accepted card types, accepted almost everywhere from large retailers to small cafes. American Express and Diners Club are  less common, some major hotels, restaurants, and retail stores accept these cards as well. Poland is a leader in contactless payment adoption. Most payment terminals support contactless transactions for cards as well as mobile payments via Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other NFC-enabled services. Contactless payments are quick and widely preferred for their convenience. When using a foreign card, your bank may apply a currency conversion fee, converting the transaction from PLN to your home currency. Some terminals offer Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC), which allows you to pay directly in your home currency, but this often comes with less favorable exchange rates.

Weather

The climate in Poland is temperate. September can be sunny and dry with the average temperature 15-20°C during the day and 8-12°C during the night. Nevertheless, rain can occur.

Time Zone

Poland is located in the Central European Time Zone Central European Summer Time – CEST Time Zone.

Tap water