Cross-border route

Germany Poland

Driving across the border

Yes — you can drive from Germany into Poland: carry a certified IDP translation of your licence alongside the original so border officials and rental desks can read your credentials. Poland expects foreign drivers to hold an IDP, prepared in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format. Both countries drive on the right, so there is no change of driving side at the border. The A2/A12 motorway crosses at Świecko toward Berlin.

Get my permit for Poland Poland requirements

Last reviewed July 2026

Route at a glance

FromGermany

ToPoland

IDP in PolandStrongly recommended

Accepted format1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna

Driving sideright (no change)

Currency in PolandPLN

Emergency number112

Top speed limit140 km/h motorways

Germany → Poland

Crossing the border

The A2/A12 motorway crosses at Świecko toward Berlin.

Driving rules in Poland

Headlights on day and night, all year.
0.02% alcohol limit.
Reflective vest and triangle required.
Electronic tolls (e-TOLL) on expressways.

What to see when you arrive in Poland

the old town of Kraków and Wawel Castle
the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial
the Wieliczka Salt Mine
Warsaw's reconstructed Old Town
the Tatra Mountains around Zakopane

Once you're driving in Poland

Destination-specific detail sourced from national road authorities, motoring clubs and rental policies — the things that catch cross-border drivers out.

Driving on a foreign licence

EU/EEA licences are valid indefinitely; non-EU tourist licences are valid for up to 6 months from entry, and UK licences remain accepted for tourist use. An IDP is advised where the licence is not in the Latin alphabet.

Tolls & road charges

Only A-designated motorways carry e-TOLL charges; all S-class expressways are toll-free. Foreign cars must register their plate in the e-TOLL PL app (or use an OBU) before driving tolled sections, or face fines of at least PLN 500 from roadside enforcement.

Parking in the cities

Major cities run paid street zones (Strefa Płatnego Parkowania) typically PLN 4-8/hour on weekdays, paid at meters or via apps (mPay, moBiLET). Illegal-parking fines run roughly PLN 100-800 and towing is common in centres.

Fines & camera enforcement

Since 2022 fines are steep: speeding can reach PLN 2,500-5,000 for serious overages, phone use and no-seatbelt are ticketed, and police can issue on-the-spot mandate fines. Rental firms pass camera fines to the renter with a fee.

If you have an accident

Call 112 (single emergency number; 997 police direct). For injuries you must call police; for minor damage drivers may settle amicably with a signed European accident statement and exchange of insurance details.

Driving in the capital

Warsaw has no congestion charge, but its large paid-parking zone covers the centre and Śródmieście with strict weekday enforcement; tram-priority junctions and frequent roadworks slow cross-city travel.

Sources: tollguru.com · winiety24.eu · visitpolska.info · kaizenrent.pl

Common questions

Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive from Germany to Poland?

Yes — Poland commonly asks foreign drivers to carry an IDP with their national licence. Poland recognises the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format, which is the format your certified IDP translation is prepared in.

Does the driving side change between Germany and Poland?

No. Both Germany and Poland drive on the right.

What is the emergency number and speed limit in Poland?

In Poland, dial 112 for emergencies; 112 also works from most GSM phones. The maximum for cars on the fastest road class is 140 km/h motorways, but posted limits in towns and on secondary roads are lower and always take precedence.

How do tolls and road charges work in Poland?

How quickly can I get an IDP for this trip?

International Driver Licence issues your digital IDP in as fast as 8 minutes, so you can have it ready before you set off.