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Restrictions on crossing the border by foreigner: who has now the right to enter Poland?

Due to the epidemic threat and the growing spread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus (COVID-19 disease) in the territory of the Republic of Poland, border control at the internal border was temporarily restored from 15 March 2020 to 24 March 2020.

As a result, the internal border can now be crossed as follows:

Due to the epidemic threat and the growing spread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus (COVID-19 disease) in the territory of the Republic of Poland, border control at the internal border was temporarily restored from 15 March 2020 to 24 March 2020.

AS A RESULT, THE INTERNAL BORDER CAN NOW BE CROSSED AS FOLLOWS:

The traffic on the Polish-German border is run through the following border crossings:

  • Passenger and goods traffic: Jędrzychowice, Olszyna – Forst, Świecko – Frankfurt, Krajnik Dolny – Schwedt, Kołbaskowo – Pomellen, Świnoujście – Garz; Gubin – Guben, Słubice – Frankfurt (Oder), Kostrzyń nad Odrą – Kietz and Zgorzelec.
  • Pedestrian traffic: Słubice – Frankfurt (Oder), Kostrzyń nad Odrą – Kietz, Zgorzelec, Gubin – Guben.

BORDER WITH CZECH REPUBLIC

The Polish-Czech border is open in the following places:

  • Passenger and goods traffic: Cieszyn – Chotĕbuz, Gorzyczki, Nowe Chałupki, Kudowa Słone, Trzebina, Jakuszyce, Gołkowice, Lubawka and Głuchołazy – Mikulovice.
  • Pedestrian traffic: Cieszyn – Český Tĕšín 24/7 (Friendship Bridge).

BORDER WITH THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA

The Polish-Lithuanian border may be crossed at the road crossings in Budzisko and Ogrodniki, for both passenger and freight traffic. Considering the above, the border with the Republic of Lithuania can be crossed in three places. In addition to the crossing in Ogrodniki and Budzisko, the Trakiszki border crossing is open (a railway border crossing with freight traffic during the opening hours of the railway station.)

OTHER BORDERS

On the border with Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, border traffic is significantly reduced. Therefore, the Polish-Russian border can be crossed in Bezledy and Grzechotki. The border with Belarus – in Kuźnica, Bobrowniki and Terespol, and with Ukraine – in Dorohusk, Hrebenne and Korczowa. The border with Slovakia can be crossed at the border crossing Barwinek and Chyżne (passenger and freight traffic according to road limits).

All in all, the internal border can now be crossed at 42 designated places on land. Border control is also carried out in seaports and airports.

Pursuant to the Regulation of the Minister of the Interior and Administration of 13 March 2020 on the temporary reintroduction of border control of persons crossing the state border constituting the internal border (Dz.U. 2020 poz. 439, as amended), in special justified cases, the Chief Commander of the Border Guard may consent to crossing the state border by persons and means of transport in other places than specified in the Annex to the Regulation. The complete list of border crossings, the type of traffic allowed in these crossings, their opening time and the territorial range of border crossings are specified in the Annex to the Regulation.

RESTRICTIONS WHEN CROSSING THE BORDER WITH UKRAINE

From 16 March 2020 at 00:00 until 3 April 2020, a temporary ban on entry into Ukraine for foreigners and persons who do not have citizenship of this country was introduced. The ban does not apply to persons who have the right of permanent or temporary residence on the territory of Ukraine, their spouses and children of Ukrainian citizens. This ban will also not apply to employees of foreign diplomatic and consular missions accredited in Ukraine, their family members, drivers and service staff and crew members, official representatives of international missions and other organizations – with the consent of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

RESTRICTIONS ON CROSSING THE BORDER BY FOREIGNERS

As of 15 March 2020, in the scope of ​​passenger traffic on entry to Poland at land border crossing points as well as at air and sea border crossing points, the following may cross the state border:

  1. citizens of the Republic of Poland;
  2. foreigners who are spouses or children of citizens of the Republic of Poland or remain under the constant care of citizens of the Republic of Poland;
  3. foreigners holding a Pole’s Card;
  4. heads of diplomatic missions and members of the mission’s diplomatic and consular staff. These are persons with a diplomatic rank and members of their families;
  5. foreigners who have the right of permanent or temporary residence in the territory of the Republic of Poland;
  6. foreigners who have the right to work in the territory of the Republic of Poland, i.e. foreigners entitled to perform work on the same terms as Polish citizens, holding a work permit, seasonal work permit, a declaration of entrusting work to a foreigner in the territory of the Republic of Poland;
  7. in special justified cases, not included above, the commander of the Border Guard post, after obtaining the consent of the Commander-in-Chief of the Border Guard, may allow a foreigner to enter the territory of the Republic of Poland in accordance with the procedure specified in the act of 12 December 2013 on foreigners (Dz. U. z 2020 r. poz. 35);
  8. foreigners who run a means of transport in transport of goods.

According to the announcement published in the Border Guard website, passenger traffic at the border will apply not only to passenger cars, but also to buses and coaches.

When crossing the border, foreigners should have documents confirming the right to work in the territory of the Republic of Poland. These are: work permit, residence and work permit and a declaration of entrusting work to a foreigner in the territory of the Republic of Poland. In the case of foreigners entitled to work under the same conditions as Polish citizens, they should have documents or provide relevant explanations confirming this fact.

Everyone coming to Poland is subject to sanitary control and is informed about the obligation to submit to a 14-day quarantine.

IMPORTANT!

Mandatory quarantine does not apply to:

  • persons living in the territory of the Republic of Poland who work in a neighbouring country and regularly cross the border;
  • drivers engaged in the professional transport of goods and passengers.
  • foreigners living in a neighbouring country who work in the territory of the Republic of Poland and cross the border regularly;

Legal status as at 19 March 2020

Sources:

  • Regulation of the Minister of the Interior and Administration of 13 March 2020 on the temporary reintroduction of border control of persons crossing the state border constituting the internal border (Dz.U. 2020 poz. 439, as amended);
  • official website: https://www.strazgraniczna.pl/
  • official website: https://www.strazgraniczna.pl/

Author: Trainee Attorney-at-Law Marta SzczepanowskaEditorial Supervision: Attorney-at-Law Paweł Tokarski

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