Poland is preparing to update its national passports, which goes far beyond changing the cover. The authorities are considering ideas that could change the approach to the design, security and even the format of the document, making it more modern and economical. Find out what changes may appear in Polish passports, why they are planned to be implemented, and what this will mean for document holders
Legal counselling on migration issues
Poland is discussing updating its national passports — this involves not just a new look, but a more profound modernisation of the document. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration is considering changes that will affect the design, structure and level of protection against forgery. The project is still in the planning stage, but it is already clear in which direction the authorities want to move, writes Inpoland.
What exactly they plan to change
One of the most notable innovations is the regional design of passports. It is proposed that each provincial passport should have its own visual design. The document may feature images of architectural, historical or cultural objects associated with a specific region of Poland. In this way, the passport will become not only an identity document, but also a kind of ‘business card’ for the province.
At the same time, there are plans to strengthen protection against counterfeiting. This involves new security features: additional graphic layers, more complex visual solutions and modern printing technologies that are more difficult to reproduce illegally. This is standard practice for new-generation passports in EU countries.
Another change is the reduction in the number of pages. Currently, a significant portion of the pages in Polish passports remain blank throughout the document’s validity period, especially for people who rarely travel outside the Schengen area.
Don’t want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!
Why does Poland need a new passport format?
The main reason is cost optimisation. A passport with fewer pages is cheaper to produce, and with mass production, this results in significant savings for the budget. In addition, updating the design and security features allows the document to be adapted in advance to future EU requirements and international security standards.
There is also an image component: regional elements make the passport more unique and emphasise the cultural diversity of the country, which has long been discussed in Polish society.
It should be noted that at the moment, there is no question of urgently replacing existing passports. If the changes are approved, new documents will most likely begin to be issued as part of the planned replacement — upon expiry or when applying for a passport for the first time. For foreigners residing in Poland and Ukrainians with temporary protection status, these changes are for information purposes only and do not affect the rules for legalisation or border crossing.
Reminder! Poland is increasing pension supplements for Ukrainian citizens who have worked and lived in the country. Find out which Ukrainians are entitled to a minimum pension in Poland, what conditions are imposed by ZUS, and under what circumstances payments may be suspended.
Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.
Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip:
Visit Ukraine Insurance – insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;
Green Card – compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;
Visit Ukraine Tickets – book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;
Private Lawyer service – professional legal support on visa and migration issues;
Visit Ukraine Merch – buy patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.
© 2018-2026, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.
All rights reserved.