25,000 places “not photographable”: EU country tightens rules for tourists
The Federal Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for Poland. A stricter photography ban has been in effect since April 17. Violations can result in heavy fines and even imprisonment.
Poland introduced a strict photography ban on April 17 to protect against espionage attempts. According to "berlin-live," 25,000 locations in the EU country have been classified as "non-photographable." These include bridges, tunnels, strategic warehouses, and communications facilities.
Buildings belonging to the Polish National Bank and the state development bank BGK are also on the list. "Each affected property is marked with a notice indicating the photography ban, but the marking may be poorly visible or not clearly recognizable under certain circumstances," warns the Federal Foreign Office.
Tourists who violate the photography ban face fines or imprisonment. According to "berlin-live," fines of up to €4,700 can be imposed. In the worst case, they face up to 30 days in prison. Smartphones or cameras can also be confiscated.
The Federal Foreign Office's website also added a note for Poland regarding "illnesses associated with poor hygiene." "Viral liver disease ( viral hepatitis A) can occur, particularly due to poor drinking water, food, and hand hygiene. Poliomyelitis (cVDPV2) has been detected in wastewater in Poland," it states.
According to “statista,” around five million overnight stays by German travelers were counted in accommodation establishments in Poland in 2023.
- Located in Central Europe, Poland is the ninth-largest country in Europe, covering an area of approximately 312,696 square kilometers. It borders seven countries: Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, and Russia (Kaliningrad).
- Poland has a population of approximately 38 million, making it one of the most populous countries in the European Union.
- The official language in Poland is Polish, a West Slavic language. Polish is the native language of the vast majority of the population, and the country has a relatively homogeneous linguistic structure.
- Poland has a long and turbulent history, marked by periods of partition and occupation. In 1918, Poland regained its independence after 123 years of partition. During World War II, Poland suffered greatly under the occupations of Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. After the war, Poland became a communist state until its peaceful transition to democracy in 1989.
- Since the end of communism, Poland has developed into one of the most dynamic economies in Europe. It is known for its stable economy and is an important player in the EU.
FOCUS
