War in Poland? What Ukrainian refugees should do if hostilities break out

Ukrainians living in Poland, following recent incidents involving drones, may be wondering how to act in an emergency. The country's government has already issued special recommendations to help people prepare for a crisis and protect themselves and their loved ones. Find out what items you should always have on hand and what steps to take in case of a threat

An insurance policy is a guarantee of your safety and peace of mind when travelling outside Ukraine

GET INSURANCE

The drone attack on Polish territory on the night of 9 to 10 September is a signal to Western countries and local residents that the war in Ukraine could spread far beyond its borders. If this happens, citizens, including Ukrainians living in Poland, need to understand how to act and what to have with them. Below, we have compiled the basic rules of conduct and a list of items to have with you in case of a military threat.

Is war in Poland becoming a reality?

As is known, on the night of 10 September, a Russian attack with strike drones on Ukraine affected Poland, a NATO member, for the first time. At least 19 drones flew into the country, four of which were shot down. The Polish Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that seven drones and ‘remnants of a missile of unknown origin’ had been identified.

In this regard, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation activated Article 4 in connection with the violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones. This will allow member states to discuss the situation with allies in the North Atlantic Council.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called the Alliance's response to the incident in Poland ‘very successful.’ He stressed that last night showed NATO's readiness to defend every inch of its territory, including its airspace.

Given the events surrounding Russia's attack on Polish territory with strike drones, war no longer seems like something abstract.

The Polish government has even issued a special ‘Safety Guide’ (Poradnik Bezpieczeństwa), which explains in detail how citizens should behave in emergency situations.

What you need to have with you

The safety guide recommends putting together a minimum three-day supply of essential items. This will allow you to survive the first days of a crisis, when access to shops and services may be limited.

The list includes:

▪️ Water – at least 3 litres per person per day.

▪️ Food – long-life products (canned food, dry rations, cereals), if you have a child – a supply of baby food.

▪️ First aid kit – essential medicines and wound care supplies.

▪️ Warm clothes and sleeping bags – especially important during the cold season.

▪️ Flashlight and spare batteries – in case of a power outage.

▪️ Cash – to pay for goods and services if the banking system is down.

❗️ Documents – passport, residence card (if any), insurance policy, driving licence, children's birth certificates. It is recommended to keep copies in paper and electronic form.

We recommend that you take out insurance that will cover treatment in an unforeseen situation. Ukrainians who are travelling to or already in Poland must have insurance. At Visit Ukraine, you can take out an insurance policy in a matter of minutes.

What to do in case of a military threat

If hostilities or a crisis break out in Poland, you need to follow basic safety rules:

▪️ Stay calm — panic prevents you from making the right decisions.

▪️ Follow official information — the Polish government publishes all urgent messages through state channels, the media, and mobile applications.

▪️ Stay in touch with your loved ones — agree in advance on a meeting place and means of communication in case the telephone network is overloaded.

▪️ Know the location of the nearest shelter — in Poland, places where you can hide in emergency situations are marked.

▪️ Avoid spreading rumours — misinformation in a crisis can be dangerous.

Don't want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

How much cash should you have in case of war?

The Polish authorities do not specify an exact amount. However, the Safety Guide states that the money should cover the basic needs of the family for at least a few days.

It is recommended to:

▪️ keep small denomination banknotes so that you can pay even if there is no change;

▪️ have at least PLN 1,000–1,500 per adult (≈ EUR 250–350), which is enough for food, medicine and transport;

▪️ if possible, keep some of your money in euros or dollars, which are easier to exchange in a crisis or use when travelling to other EU countries.

It is also important to remember that if you are travelling by car, make sure you have a Green Card. If not, get one right now at Visit Ukraine.

Reminder! The Polish government has passed a law changing the rules for receiving social assistance for foreigners, including Ukrainians. Now, payments under the ‘800+’, ‘Good Start’ and ‘Active Parents’ programmes will directly depend on legal residence and employment in the country. Find out what conditions Ukrainians must meet to receive support and when the law comes into force.

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.

© 2018-2025, 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.