Is Poznań Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Poznań is a large city located in the west of Poland.

Since it was the first capital of Poland, Poznań is a town very much wrapped up in history, and seen by many as the birthplace of the Polish nation.

In this sense, tourists that visit Poznan and have an interest in Polish history will have a lot to do here.

Brama Poznania ICHOT, the National Museum, and Museum of Armor are just some of the museums you’ll find here.

If you’re in for sights, then you’re in for a double treat: the city is an interesting mix of Polish, German, and Soviet architecture, owing to its past, so it has to offer landmarks of all of these influences.

Warnings & Dangers in Poznań

OVERALL RISK: LOW

Generally speaking, Poznań is a very safe city to travel to. Still, never let your guard down, and be wary of pickpockets and scammers since their activities increased in the past couple of years.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM

Public transport and taxis are safe and reliable in Poznań, but it is recommended that you be very careful with your valuables in public transport, since that's where organized pickpockets operate. Also, be careful with taxi drivers using numerous tricks and scams to try and overcharge you.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

Pickpockets are increasing their activities year by year. Be vigilant at all times and never leave your belongings in plain sight. Be careful in crowded areas, in railway and bus stations and especially in public transport, since pickpockets often work in teams, and make artificial crowds around tourists to steal from them.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

There are no threats of natural disasters in Poznań. During spring there are occasional floods and during winter there are snowstorms and heavy snowfall. Be cautious when driving during the winter period.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

No worries about being mugged or kidnapped in Poznań, since it rarely, if ever occurs. Violent crime is not an issue in Poland.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

Even though there haven't been any terrorist attacks in Poznań's recent history, they shouldn't be ruled out, so remain aware of your surroundings at all times.

SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM

Scams are very common in Poznań since it's such an important Polish city. There are credit card scams and many street scams. Be wary of people claiming they're the police, and get familiar with Polish police uniforms so that you can differentiate them.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Women traveling solo are very much safe in Poznań. If you have your wits with you and follow your common sense, avoid dark and desert alleys or walking alone with strange people at night, you shouldn't have any problems.

So... How Safe Is Poznań Really?

It is getting more and more visitors each year, and its tourism has generally increased especially after Poland joined the European Union in 2004.

However, petty crime has also increased with the influx of tourists.

Be wary of pickpockets bumping into you on the streets and generally be careful with your valuables, especially in crowded places.

Pickpockets usually work in an organization, so they either create a distraction while someone else steals something from you, or they create artificial crowds on public transport.

Apart from pickpockets, you can easily get scammed in Poznań.

There are several scams to watch out for like the many credit card scams.

Also, be careful when taking a taxi, since taxi drivers have been known to cheat by insisting you didn’t pay enough, hiding the money you paid and showing you smaller bills.

Some might agree on one price and then charge you double once you arrive at your destination.

Also, watch out for “fake officers” claiming to be police and trying to extort money from you.

Get familiar with real uniforms of Polish police, because it’s easy to be tricked when you don’t know how the real police officers look like.

How Does Poznań Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

Most countries do not need a visa for any stays shorter than 90 days. Any longer than that, you might have to obtain a visa. Your passport needs to be valid for at least six months from your planned date of return. However, if you are not sure about your visa status, contact your local Polish embassy for further information.

Currency

Zloty is the official currency in Poznań. ATMs are widely available throughout the country and credit cards are accepted in most establishments such as hotels and restaurants.

Weather

Poznań has a temperate climate which is characterized by relatively cold winters and warm summers. The climate in this city is greatly influenced by cold polar air from Scandinavia and Russia, as well as warmer, sub-tropical air from the south.

Airports

Poznań–Ławica Henryk Wieniawski Airport is the main airport of the city of Poznań, and also one of the oldest airports in Poland. It is located 5 km west of Poznań city center.

Travel Insurance

Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Poznań, since it covers not only medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.

Poznań Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Poland - Safety by City