Polish citizens need a Tanzania e-Visa to enter Tanzania. The tourist single-entry visa costs USD 50 (approximately 215-220 PLN depending on the current exchange rate), takes 3-10 business days to process, and allows a stay of up to 90 days. EU citizenship does not grant visa-free access to Tanzania โ Poles must apply online at eservices.immigration.go.tz before travel.
Do Polish Citizens Need a Visa for Tanzania?
Yes. Despite being EU citizens and holding one of Europe's stronger passports, Polish travellers must obtain a visa to enter Tanzania. Tanzania grants visa-free entry only to a limited set of African nations โ no EU member states are included.
Polish passport holders have two options: the Tanzania e-Visa (applied online before departure) or visa on arrival at designated airports. The e-Visa is the recommended and most commonly used option. Applications are submitted entirely online โ no need to visit the Tanzania embassy in Berlin (which covers Poland as the nearest accredited mission).
Poland-Tanzania tourism has grown significantly over recent years, with Serengeti safaris and Kilimanjaro expeditions becoming popular bucket-list trips for Polish adventurers. Processing time for Polish applications is typically 3-7 business days.
Tanzania e-Visa Requirements for Polish Citizens
- Valid Polish passport (biometric, minimum 6 months validity beyond your intended return date, at least 2 blank pages)
- Recent passport-size digital photo (white background, colour, JPEG format, taken within last 6 months)
- Return or onward flight ticket
- Proof of accommodation in Tanzania (hotel/lodge booking or host's invitation letter)
- Proof of sufficient funds (bank statement; USD 500 equivalent recommended as minimum)
- Travel itinerary for your stay
- Valid email address for receiving the approved e-Visa
Tanzania e-Visa Cost for Polish Citizens
| Visa Type | Fee (USD) | PLN Approx. |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist Single Entry | USD 50 | ~215 PLN |
| Tourist Multiple Entry | USD 100 | ~430 PLN |
| Business Single Entry | USD 50 | ~215 PLN |
| Transit | USD 30 | ~130 PLN |
The fee is charged in USD by the official portal. Your Polish bank card will convert at the prevailing USD/PLN rate at the time of payment. The PLN equivalents above are approximate โ check the current rate when applying.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
- Go to the official portal โ Visit eservices.immigration.go.tz
- Create an account โ Register with your email address (use a Latin-character email, avoid special Polish characters in the username)
- Start a new application โ Select "Tourist e-Visa" and Poland as your nationality
- Enter passport details โ Fill in your name, date of birth, and passport number exactly as on your Polish passport (use Latin transliteration, no Polish diacritics like ฤ , ฤ, ล, ลบ)
- Upload documents โ Passport bio-data page scan, digital photo, hotel booking, and flight confirmation
- Review carefully โ Ensure your name matches exactly (common error: Polish characters auto-corrected by browsers)
- Pay USD 50 โ By Visa, Mastercard, or other accepted international card
- Save your reference number โ Received by email immediately after submission
- Wait for approval โ Typically 3-7 business days for Polish applicants
- Download and print the e-Visa โ Present at Tanzania's port of entry alongside your passport
Important note for Polish applicants: When entering your name on the e-Visa form, use standard Latin characters. Do not include Polish diacritics (ฤ , ฤ, ฤ, ล, ล, รณ, ล, ลบ, ลผ) โ use their base Latin equivalents instead (a, c, e, l, n, o, s, z, z). This matches the machine-readable zone of your passport.
Processing Time
Standard processing: 3-10 business days. Polish applications are typically processed within 3-7 business days. Apply at least 2 weeks before departure. The e-Visa is valid for 3 months from the issue date, with a maximum stay of 90 days per entry.
Tanzania e-Visa vs Visa on Arrival for Polish Citizens
| Feature | e-Visa (Online) | Visa on Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Where to apply | Online before travel | At the airport on arrival |
| Cost | USD 50 | USD 50 |
| Processing | 3-10 business days | 30-90 mins on arrival |
| Available at | All entry points | Julius Nyerere (DAR), Kilimanjaro (JRO), Zanzibar (ZNZ) airports only |
| Recommended | Yes | Backup option only |
Poland-Specific Travel Notes
Airlines from Poland to Tanzania: LOT Polish Airlines (PLL LOT) operates flights from Warsaw Chopin (WAW) to Nairobi (NBO), Kenya โ from Nairobi, connections to Kilimanjaro International (JRO) or Dar es Salaam (DAR) are available via Kenya Airways or local carriers. Total travel time: approximately 12-14 hours. Other options:
- Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa (ADD) โ from Warsaw, approximately 14-16 hours total
- Turkish Airlines via Istanbul (IST) โ approximately 13-15 hours total
- Qatar Airways via Doha (DOH) โ approximately 13-14 hours total
- KLM via Amsterdam (AMS) โ approximately 14-16 hours total
Currency: The Polish Zloty (PLN) is not accepted in Tanzania. Bring USD cash or use ATMs in Dar es Salaam and Arusha. The official currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). Most safari operators and international hotels price in USD. Tip: exchange a small amount to TZS for local markets.
Useful Polish consular info: Poland does not have a resident embassy in Tanzania. The Polish Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya (ul. Rhapta Road) covers Tanzania consular matters for Polish citizens in emergencies. Register your travel at the Polish Foreign Ministry's Odyseusz system (msz.gov.pl) before departure.
Popular Tanzania destinations for Polish travellers: Serengeti and Great Migration (July-October), Ngorongoro Crater, Kilimanjaro (Machame and Lemosho routes are favoured), Zanzibar Stone Town and beaches, and Tarangire National Park for elephant herds.