Is it safe to travel to Poland? Latest UK travel advice explained after Russia launches invasion of Ukraine

As Russian troops roll into Ukraine, there is understandable alarm among neighbouring countries and post-Soviet states such as Poland as to what the war will mean for them.

Poland is not expected to be dragged into an armed conflict but travellers visiting the country could notice some knock-on effects from the Russian invasion into neighbouring Ukraine, not least a predicted influx of up to one million refugees.

Nato has said that it will strengthen its eastern flank near Ukraine, including along Poland’s 332-mile border with the country.

Here is everything you need to know about safely travelling to Poland.

Does Poland share a border with Russia?

Poland shares a 144-mile border with the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, a small province of Russia sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania along the Baltic Coast. This is miles away from any staging posts for the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The country also has a 248-mile border with the autocratic state of Belarus – a key ally of Russia – and a 332-mile border with Ukraine, which is now under attack from Moscow;’s forces.

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Has Poland placed any restrictions on travel following the Russian invasion of neighbouring Ukraine?

No. There are no restrictions on travel in Poland in response to the war in next-door Ukraine.

However, in response to the recent migrant crisis fomented by Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko on the Poland-Belarus border, the Polish government introduced a law limiting access to areas close to the border.

As of 30 November, 2021, areas within approximately two miles from the border in parts of Podlaskie and Lubelskie Voivodeships are off limits to visitors.

What does the Foreign Office say about travel to Poland?

The Foreign and Commonwealth (FCDO) has no warnings in place against visiting Poland.

However an update on the FCDO website issued on the morning of Thursday 24 February advised that people “should not attempt to cross into Ukraine from Poland” due to “multiple reports of widespread military activity in Ukraine”.

Do flights from the UK to Poland travel over Russian, Belarusian or Ukrainian airpsace?

No, flights from the UK to Poland do not need to travel over Russian, Belarusian or Ukrainian airspace and all scheduled flights to the country are continuing as normal.

Even before the recent escalation of tensions and Russian invasion, most airlines had taken steps to avoid flying over Ukraine. In response to the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 by pro-Russian separatists in 2014, airlines began diverting around the country.

British Airways has not flown to Ukraine for several years, and like other carriers, will continue to avoid its airspace.

Will there be an influx of refugees into Poland?

Poland, Romania and Slovakia have all made plans for a potential influx of millions of refugees due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

This could mean that hostels usually open to holidaymakers travelling on a budget could quickly fill up with Ukrainians fleeing war. The Polish government has said it is planning to house Ukrainian refugees in hostels, dormitories and sports facilities.

Poland’s deputy interior minister Maciej Wąsik told Polish radio: “We have to be prepared for a wave of up to a million people.”