Health and safety
Those are things you simply have to know something about.
Once you get all the formal and financial matters under control, it’s time to take care of yourself.
One should always check a few basic information about safety and obligatory rules in the country of choice.
01.
Traffic
02.
Law
03.
Health insurance
01.
Traffic
In Poland use right-side traffic rules apply. So the car on the right has precedence, on the right side of the road there is a bike lane etc. Not everyone coming to Poland will drive a car, but from a pedestrian point of view it’s important to look first to the left (because you are to the right side from the cars), and then to the right while crossing the street.
Also, while crossing the street make sure there is a crossing or/and a semaphore, since crossing streets in unmarked places or on the red light is prohibited and you can get a ticket for it (and nobody likes losing money)...
02.
Law
Most of the things illegal in most countries are also illegal in Poland, but let’s leave out the obvious things, like driving under influence. What can get you a ticket or an admonishment is for example drinking alcohol in public places, that are not bars or restaurants, or playing very loud music in your apartment after curfew (which lasts from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.).
But what if something happens to you?
There are accidents or unpredictable health issues, so it’s very important what to do if you happen to need help.
Emergency numbers
999 - the emergency service number
998 - the fire brigade number
997 - the police number
112 - general emergency number, from there you will be redirected to the police, the fire brigade or the emergency service
Poland is one of 25 countries that offer English speaking operators, so don’t worry about not being able to communicate with a person getting your call.
It’s also useful to write down your country’s embassy address and number, for the event of f.e. Losing your passport or ID or other formal matters. You can easily find it here.
03.
Health insurance
In Poland healthcare is available for students from the EU or the EEA countries, provided that they have valid medical insurance in the national insurance system of their home country. A valid passport/ID, student ID or doctoral student ID and a valid European Health Insurance Card allows its holder to free medical care in Poland.
More about all needed documents and EHIC you can find right here: Insurance and visa
