European Union, Schengen Area

Since 2004, Poland is a member of the European Union (EU), which is a supranational political and economic union of 27 member states. The EU has often been described as a sui generis political entity (without precedent or comparison) combining the characteristics of both a federation and a confederation. EU policies aim to ensure the free movement of people, goods, services and capital within the internal market.

The Schengen Area is an area encompassing 29 European countries, including Poland, that have officially abolished border controls at their mutual borders. Being an element within the wider area of freedom, security and justice policy of the European Union (EU), it mostly functions as a single jurisdiction under a common visa policy for international travel purposes. Poland is part of the Schengen Area since 2007.

Residents of countries in the Schengen Area can travel from one country to another without needing any visa. All you have to have is an ID card for legislation. A trip that passes through several borders within the Schengen Area is like visiting cities within one country.