Poland welcomed a record number of foreign visitors last year, according to estimates from the Polish Tourism Organisation.
The country saw over 20 million international arrivals in 2025, surpassing the 19.4 million recorded in 2024, and the trend is expected to continue, with 2026 projected to attract between 22 and 23 million visitors.
European and overseas tourists boost Poland’s economy
In the first ten months of 2025, the largest groups of tourists by overnight stays were Germans (1.7 million, up 8.5% year on year), Ukrainians (782,000, +6%) and British visitors (647,000, +15%).
Other notable markets included the United States, the Czech Republic, Italy, Lithuania, Spain, France, and the Netherlands, all showing double-digit growth compared with 2024.
Joanna Węglarczyk, director of the Department for Planning and Development at the Polish Tourism Organisation, noted that most foreign tourists come from eurozone countries, contributing higher spending than visitors from neighbouring states.
She added that tourists from overseas, such as the United States, spend nearly five times more on average than visitors from the Czech Republic or Slovakia.
Interest from Lithuania and the Czech Republic has also risen sharply. Both countries were outside the top ten markets in 2019 but are now ranked seventh and fifth, respectively.
Tourism contributes nearly 5% to Poland’s GDP
According to estimates from the Polish Tourism Organisation, citing the World Travel and Tourism Council, tourism contributed 165 billion złoty (€39.2 billion) to Poland’s GDP in 2025, representing nearly 5% of total output, up from 145 billion złoty (€34.5 billion) in 2024.
Magdalena Krucz, president of the Polish Tourism Organisation, attributed Poland’s popularity to its safety, modern infrastructure, competitive prices, and the appeal of its cities.
Tourists are particularly drawn to cultural attractions, historic sites, events, and the culinary scene.
Małopolska, a region in southern Poland, is the most popular among international visitors, with Kraków as its leading city.
Tourists on Main Market Square in Kraków, Poland. Photo: Jacek Dylag/Unsplash.com/CC0
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Source: Polish Tourism Organisation/PAP