Foreigners must have more in their wallet if they want to come to Poland. Here is the draft change

According to the project, a person who plans to stay in Poland for a maximum of four days should have at least PLN 1,000 to cover living costs. Currently, the required minimum is PLN 300.

In the case of a longer stay, the required amount would increase from PLN 75 to PLN 300 per day. The funds can also be shown in their foreign currency equivalent.

Lower requirements for people with a paid stay

Separate rules apply to, among others: participants of tourist trips, youth camps and sports competitions. Lower requirements will also apply to people who have a paid stay, come to a treatment and sanatorium facility or take part in a holiday work program, if this is not the main purpose of their visit.

For this group, the minimum rate will be PLN 130 for each day of stay, but not less than PLN 650. So far, foreigners had to show PLN 20 per day, with a minimum of PLN 100.

The ministry emphasizes that the increased amount is intended to provide money for expenses that are not covered by previously paid accommodation, meals or other forms of security for the stay.

A higher threshold for students and researchers

The change will also apply to people coming to Poland for studies, education, training, research or development work. They will need to have PLN 2,020 for the first two months of their planned stay. Currently it is PLN 1,270.

As indicated in the justification, the new amount is to correspond to the minimum level of income, which in the provisions on social assistance is considered to allow a single person to meet their basic needs.

The authors of the project emphasized that the current amounts have remained unchanged since 2016. During this time, the prices of goods and services increased, which - according to the Ministry of Interior and Administration - made the previous thresholds lose their real value.

"The projected amount therefore remains at the level of the reference amounts used in many Schengen countries, in particular Member States with a similar level of prices of goods and services, such as Bulgaria, Croatia, Lithuania or Estonia," we read in the justification.

The project assumes that the new regulations will come into force 30 days after their announcement.