Is Poznan safe? As the author of a book on safety, survival, and preparedness, I always think about those things when I travel. Poznan is a destination still off the radar for most tourists, but a blossoming one that’s attracting new visitors, residents, digital nomads, and an increasing U.S. military presence. So, let’s dive in and find out what you need to know about staying safe and prepared in Poznan!
Is Poznan Safe?
Poznań, the capital of the Wielkopolska province in western Poland and home to over 534,000 people, is generally considered to be a safe place to live, and a safe place for tourists. I’ve been to Poznan many times, and felt pretty comfortable as a woman alone walking through the city and its parks. I also see lots of other women of all ages walking solo, and have never witnessed or experienced any type of negative behavior directed towards anyone.
You will have an occasional person approach to ask you to sign a petition or to come into their restaurant, but an “I’m sorry I don’t speak Polish” as you walk past seems to do the trick. Also the hand wave and a “No thank you” will work. I’ve never had anyone follow up or be belligerent once I say no.
It’s important, no matter how safe a place seems to be, to always stay aware of the potential risks and take necessary precautions to ensure your safety. Nowhere on Earth is totally safe.
Measuring Safety
It’s difficult to come up with a magic number or a designation that definitively conveys the relative safety of any city. But there are some studies and rankings that can be helpful.
Best Polish City to Live In
Poznań is Poland’s best city to live in, according to a new ranking from Business Insider Poland. Six criteria were used to establish the ranking: average wages, crime rate, unemployment, air quality, access to medical care, and access to affordable housing.
While crime rate was only one of six factors in the ratings, Poznan came out in the number one spot of best cities to live in of all cities measured across the country.
European Pickpocketing Index
Travel insurance comparison experts at Quotezone.co.uk have developed a list for the frequency of pickpocketing in holiday destinations across Europe to develop a European Pickpocketing Index. Poland comes in at #9 out of 10, with 18 reports of pickpocketing per million UK tourists. Italy ranked #1 with 478 reports of pickpocketing per million.
Global Peace Index Ranking
The Global Peace Index (GPI) is an annual report that “uses 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators from highly respected sources and measures the state of peace across three domains: the level of Societal Safety and Security; the extent of Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict; and the degree of Militarisation.”
Poland ranks #32 out of 168 countries on the index.
For comparison, the United States ranks #132, The UK ranks #34, Germany ranks #20, France ranks #86, The Netherlands ranks #18 , and Switzerland ranks #6. Iceland is #1 if you were wondering. And you can see the full list of where countries rank on the Global Peace Index and the rest of the report at the link.
Other Scores
According to the Analysis and Evaluation of the State of Crime and Safety in Polish Cities, Poznan ranks as Medium-High safety.
On the Global Terrorism Index, Poland ranked 0.0.
If you really want to nerd out on crime statistics in Poland, this site breaks it all down. But the gist is that Poland is a pretty safe country, and Poznan is a pretty safe city. Nearly nine out of ten respondents considered Poland a safe place to live in 2024. Poland’s growing economy, increasing household income, and low jobless numbers all contribute to its rising state of safety. And that’s good news for you as a tourist!
Is Poznan Safe for Tourists?
Strategies to Avoid Pickpocketing
Pickpocketing is the bane of travelers worldwide, and even though incidents of pickpocketing are relatively low in Poznan compared to other popular European travel destinations, it pays to be careful. Nothing can throw a wrench in your vacation plans more than losing your money, credit cards, ID, or passport.
No matter where you are, the places that pickpocketing is most likely to occur are in crowded areas, areas frequented by tourists, on public transportation, or at transportation hubs (train stations, airports, bus stops, etc.) In these places be sure to stay alert and don’t let yourself be distracted. Here are some ways to keep your belongings protected.
🎒 Wear backpacks in front of you when you’re in a crowded area
✅ Use cross-body bags, and wear them in front. Some come with straps that can’t be cut and latching zippers.
💶 Wear a fanny pack in front, or a money belt that zips on the inside
👜 You can also wear a tote bag over your shoulder so your arm fills the whole space under the handles. This way nobody will ever be able to reach into the bag unnoticed.
Strategies to Avoid Theft
🧳 Never leave your luggage unattended.
🚪 Always double check that your hotel room door has latched and locked properly.
💻 Don’t leave important documents, phones, laptops, or other electronic devices in your car.
🚗 Remember to always lock your car.
📱 Use a phone lanyard to secure your cell phone, and keep you from inadvertently losing it.
💬 Leave a visible digital message on your locked phone telling people what to do if they find your phone.
🌃 Be aware of your surroundings and avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas, areas that are not well lit, areas where people could be hiding, or areas that just give you a weird feeling.
🔒 Store your passport, money, and other valuables in a secure place. This means either secured on your body (see pickpocketing tips above) or in a hotel safe. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash with you.
Strategies for Personal Safety
🔦 Don’t go into dark areas, side streets and alleys, or parks at night. Stay where lighting and lines of sight are good and there’s no place someone could be hiding.
🍸 Stay alert, and don’t drink too much. Impaired judgment at night in a new city can mean trouble.
🚉 Use public transportation. Poznan has a reliable public transportation system of buses, trolleys, and trains. Consider using it to avoid walking in unfamiliar areas or if you need to cover ground late at night.
🤔 Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, even if you don’t know exactly why, avoid the situation.
🆘 Find out if your cell phone has security features like Samsung SOS which will allow you, with 3 clicks of a button, to send out a help message, your location, and take a simultaneous photo from the front and back of your phone and send it to the contact of your choice.
🌙 Don’t be out late at night, especially if you are alone.
🧛♂️ Be cautious of new acquaintances.
🍷 If you’re in a bar or restaurant, don’t leave your drink unattended.
Other Safety Considerations
Natural disasters
Poznan is not prone to major natural disasters. However, occasional flooding can occur during heavy rainfall, and flooding is becoming more prevalent and dangerous in Central and Eastern Europe. Check the weather and weather alerts before and during your travels. Always bring a waterproof jacket and boots/shoes when you travel. Follow all safety alerts and warnings.
Military threat
There is no significant military threat to Poznan at the moment. Poland does border Ukraine on its eastern boundary, but tourism currently is very safe and will hopefully remain so into the future.
Water and food
The tap water in Poznan is safe to drink. The food is also generally safe to eat, but no matter where you are it’s always a good idea to avoid eating raw or undercooked meat or seafood.
Crisis Management Information
The City of Poznan has a crisis management system so in a crisis situation or natural disaster residents will receive information through text messages regarding dangerous situations. This won’t help you directly, but many people around you will be informed of what is happening and can let you know.
Safety Measures Before You Travel
1) Research your accommodations
Choose a reputable hotel or accommodation in a safe area. Usually in European cities, staying in or near the Old Town, in the center of the city is fairly safe and convenient to many attractions and points of interest. Go to a site like booking.com and read the customer reviews, find the property on a map, and see how the hotel is rated. If you find something perfect, look for the option that allows you to reserve and cancel with no penalty, and lock that room in so you don’t get stuck with a place you’re not comfortable with!
2) Register with your embassy or consulate
Let your home country’s embassy or consulate know that you’re traveling to Poznan, and find out where they are located in the city, or the closest location to you. The American Consulate in Poznan is located at Ignacego Paderewskiego 8, 61-770 Poznań.
You can identify it by the plaque at the gate.
For detailed information about the emergency assistance, and services the consulate provides, you can go to the official website of the US Embassy and Consulate in Poland.
3) Purchase travel insurance!
Nowhere you travel is 100% safe, and more than a third of travelers will experience illness or injury when they are traveling. It’s not something anyone expects, but things happen so it’s definitely smart to be prepared.
Travel insurance can provide critical financial protection in case of emergencies or unexpected events. You really never know what could happen and travel insurance is a small price to pay for peace of mind, and an even smaller price to pay if you end up needing it!
For the ultimate in preparedness, get an International Lifeline coverage policy. This coverage is amazing and takes care of everything from unexpected illnesses and injuries requiring emergency medical transport, to evacuating you from riots or political unrest and getting you home, and even kidnap and extortion resolution services! Now THAT’s full coverage! These people are hardcore covering your back. They have a staffed International Response Center available to you 24/7 anytime you travel 99 miles or more from home. And there’s no deductible. If you are interested, check out International Lifeline’s various plans for individuals, couples, and families.
4) Stay informed
Before you travel, and while you are in Poznan, keep up-to-date on local news, travel advisories, and weather conditions.
5) Pack an Emergency Kit
As an author of the book Survive and Thrive: How to Prepare for Any Disaster Without Ammo, Camo, or Eating Your Neighbor (Harper Collins, 2023) I’m a huge fan of the emergency kit. But when you’re traveling, you’ll need to keep it light and lean and easy to pack. Here are the absolute essentials you should have:
🩹 Medical Supplies
First aid kit:
- Bandaids
- Alcohol wipes
- Anti-bacterial ointment like Neosporin
- Aspirin or Tylenol
- Benadryl for known and unknown allergies
- A small thermometer
- A covid test kit – You can remove it from the box to save space but keep all the components sealed and put everything including the instructions in a ZipLoc bag.
- Medications – Make sure you have more than you need of prescription medications in case of travel delays or unforeseen circumstances.
- One or two doses of over the counter medications you think you may need like Tums, Imodium, NyQuil, etc.
📄 Safety and Security
- Keep paper copies of your passport, drivers license, and other important documents in a separate place from your originals.
- Take photos on your phone of all those documents and save them in an album
- Password protect your phone
- Have a list of emergency contacts, including your embassy or consulate in Poland in your wallet, and on your phone. If you are having a medical emergency, first responders may not be able to get into your phone so have that physical copy. Laminated is even better!
- A small personal alarm like the Birdie can be a great deterrent to potential threats, and comes on a keychain carabiner. It’s super loud and has a bright strobe light. You just pull the pin to activate it and put it back in to stop it.
- Keep valuables that are with you secure in a lockable pouch or bag, or in your hotel safe.
- Don’t wear lots of expensive accessories or flashy jewelry which can signal that you might have a lot of money.
🔦 Other Essentials
- A small bright rechargeable keychain flashlight can be handy for visibility in low-light conditions and deterring people with bad intentions.
- Reusable water bottle: Staying hydrated is important, especially during warmer months.
- Snacks: Non-perishable snacks like granola or protein bars, hard candies, and nuts can be helpful in case of unexpected delays or disruptions in your travel
- Multi-tool: A small multi-tool can be useful for various tasks but be sure you’re not bringing something that violates rules for your mode of travel, like a knife blade.
6) Use Air Tags
Put activated air tags in your bags, with your devices, and one in your wallet. I learned that lesson the hard way! I have an Android phone and have used the Samsung SmartTag2 airtags with great success! No, airline, my bags are not in New York, they’re in Amsterdam! I put one in each bag and one in my wallet.
What to Do if You are the Victim of a Crime
In the unlikely chance you are a victim of assault or robbery (mugging) in Poznan, use the emergency number 112 (emergency) or 997 (police), or go to the nearest police station.
If you have been the victim of theft through pickpocketing or breaking and entering, you should report the incident to the police also.
Poznan Police
Every Poznan police officer will have a Police ID card.
Police officers have the right in Poland to check your documents to verify your identity, detain anyone who causes an immediate danger to life health or property, and perform a superficial frisk and baggage check if there’s a justified reason to think you’ve broken the law. So don’t be that person!
Also know that no police officer or local official will ask to collect money from you for a fine, including parking violations.
Location of Police Stations in Poznan
- Poznań City Police Headquarters, ul. Szylinga 2, Poznań, tel. 47 77 156 92;
- Grunwald District Police Station, ul. Rycerska 2, Poznań, tel. 47 77 121 11;
- Jeżyce District Police Station, ul. Kochanowskiego 16, Poznań, tel. 47 77 122 11;
- Nowe Miasto District Police Station, ul. Polanka 24, Poznań, tel. 47 77 123 11;
- Północ District Police Station, os. Jana III Sobieskiego 115, Poznań, tel. 47 77 146 11;
- Stare Miasto (Old Town) District Police Station, Al. Marcinkowskiego 31, Poznań tel. 47 77 124 11
- Wilda District Police Station, ul. Chłapowskiego 12, Poznań, tel. 47 77 125 11.
Communicating in Polish
No matter what country you are traveling to, you should always familiarize yourself with basic words and greetings. But people often forget to learn simple phrases that can be critical in resolving an emergency situation.
Most people in Poznan speak at least some English, and younger people who have taken English in school are the most likely to understand you if you need an English speaker. Nevertheless, some basic Polish words are good to know.
Important Safety Phrases in Polish
Here are simple phrases in Polish you should try to memorize in case you need help.
- Help me! – Ratunku! (Ra-TOON-koo)
- Call a doctor – Proszę wezwać lekarza (Prozha vez-VACH-eh leh-KA-zah)
- Call the police – Proszę wezwać policję (Prozha vez-VACH-eh po-LEET-see-ah)
- I’m at… – Jestem w (Yestem v [street name or place])
- I’m allergic to… – Mam alergię na (Mam al-LER-gee-ah nah)
- Thank you – Dziękuję (jen-KU-yeh)
- Please – (PRO-zha)
Language App
Google translate can be very helpful as well. Be sure to download the Polish language so it will be available to you even if you don’t have cell coverage – like in a stone building, or underground. Don’t rely on cell phone or internet to have the language at your fingertips.
The Google Translate app also has a feature that will let you point your camera at a sign, or other writing, take a picture of it, and translate that way.
It also has a feature where you can speak into your phone and it will translate into audio in Polish. Or you can have someone speak Polish and translate to your native language. Practice using the app before you travel. And remember no translation is perfect so don’t use expressions or turns of phrase that may not translate. Keep it clear and simple.
In Poland the drinking of alcohol in public places (parks, squares, streets) is prohibited apart from summer gardens situated close to bars, cafés, restaurants.
Emergency Numbers
In the U.S. your emergency number is 911, but in Poznan and throughout Europe the emergency number is 112. In Poznan it is operated in both Polish and English. This number acts as a dispatch, and the 112 Operator will forward your call to the appropriate agency that can help you.
Be prepared to briefly and clearly describe the nature of the problem, give your name, and where you are located.
Other Emergency Numbers in Poznan
- Ambulance: 999
- Fire Department: 998
- Police: 997
Is Poznan Safe for Driving?
If you will be renting or driving a car in Poznan, here are a few things you should know about rules and safety.
- Traffic in Poland drives on the right side of the road.
- If you are driving in the city, you must have headlights on.
- Seatbelts are mandatory for all those in the vehicle, including the back seat.
- Your car must include a fire extinguisher and a warning triangle for use if your car breaks down. Rental cars should include these items, but you can verify this with your rental company. You can be fined if you don’t have these items in your car. This rule applies to the entire country.
- Hands-free cell phone use is ok while driving, but you may not hold your phone while driving. (Amazon link)
- Children shorter than 4 feet 11 inches tall (150) must use an appropriate car seat.
- The legal limit for blood alcohol is 0.2%. Police devices will measure 0.2% blood alcohol level as 0.1 mg/l in exhaled air. Anything exceeding that level is considered driving while intoxicated. (Amazon link)
- Familiarize yourself with Polish road signs and traffic signals before traveling if you intend to drive.
- I recommend using the Waze app for driving assistance. It will notify you if you exceed the speed limit and also gives a heads up for lane closures, stranded vehicles, and other road hazards reported in real time by other Waze users. It also gives notifications for police presence, speed cameras, and speed zones. Google Maps is another good app but does not have all the features of Waze.
Is Poznan Safe for Pedestrians?
Poznan is very pedestrian and bicycle friendly, with bike lanes and pedestrian walkways in busy areas of the city clearly marked, and the boundaries respected by locals. There are lots of bikes and scooters, so be sure you pay attention to where the bike lanes are and stay out of them if you’re on foot. Look both ways before you cross a bike lane just as though you were crossing the street.
Crosswalks on busy streets have hand triggered crosswalk lights. They can sometimes take a few minutes, but don’t jaywalk.
Cars also are very good about giving pedestrians the right of way. That doesn’t mean you can just launch out into traffic, but if you are standing by a crosswalk, cars will definitely stop to let you cross. If you’re from somewhere where you’d be taking your life in your hands stepping out into the street it can take a while to get used to, and watching the confidence of the locals still makes me catch my breath sometimes!
Is Poznan Safe for Dogs?
If you are traveling with your pet, make sure that you bring extra food, medication, and supplies for them.
If they get sick, have a medical emergency, or suffer an injury, there are vets available in Poznan, including this 24-hour emergency clinic Klinika dla Małych Zwierzat Wasiatycz.
Poland’s Highway Code isn’t very specific but does say that a dog “should be transported in a car in a safe manner that does not pose a threat to other travelers and people outside the vehicle.” So be sure to use a secure travel carrier, or car harness that attaches to the seat belt.
Dogs are welcome in many places in Poland. You’ll often see them in outdoor cafés, on walks with their owners, and hanging out or playing frisbee in one of Poznan’s many beautiful parks. Be sure your dog is well-behaved, and on a leash at all times unless otherwise permitted.
See You in Poznan!
Hopefully this article has given you a good idea of the relative safety of Poznan for tourists and travelers, and tips on how to be prepared to make your trip the best it can be. It’s a beautiful city, and one where I’ve always felt safe. Happy travels!
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