Poland - Fan's guide
'Як доїхатина стадіон?' 'How do I get to the stadium?' 'Jak dojadę na stadion?' - Useful expressions in Ukrainian, English and Polish language versions – what to do in case of lost luggage, how to complain about the purchased products, football matches schedule - the fan’s guide by UOKiK contains these and many other tips helpful to football fans. It is available for download in pdf format
31 football meetings, 8 cities, 2 countries, different behaviours of sellers and varied consumer rights. All these issues are really worth familiarizing with when going to matches played in Poland or Ukraine. The fan’s guide drawn up by the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection contains most important information on crossing borders, currency exchange and different means of transport – available in Polish, English and Ukrainian language versions. Additionally,each fan will find there useful expressions and schedule of matches which can be filled in individually.
Information contained in this leaflet:
- Crossing the borders
EU citizens can arrive in Poland on the basis of a valid document confirming the identity, e.g. an ID card. Football fans beyond the EU must have their passports and visas (if required).
EU citizens needn’t have a visa to cross the Ukrainian border - a valid passport is enough. It entitles to a legal 90-day stay in the country. When crossing the borders one should fill in the migration document (registration document called міграційна карта, migracijna karta) providing information e.g. on the means of transport/flight number, travel aim (e.g. tourism) and the address of a hotel or person one will stay at. One completed form should be always kept for potential examination till the end of the stay abroad. In case of losing the card, it is necessary to immediately contact the embassy of one’s country or the nearest consulate in Ukraine.
- Currencies
In Poland the currency is złoty (PLN, zł), in Ukraine – hryvnia (UAH, грн). The currency can be exchanged at the local exchange office (pl. kantor, ukr. обмінвалюткантор). Foreigners converting the money in Ukraine must have an ID card and passport on them.
Watch out: when converting the money at the exchange office, pay attention to the currency exchange rate
Payment cards are accepted in most Polish shops, however, in Ukraine they are not so common. In many Polish shops consumers are informed that card payments are allowed only for purchases which exceed a fixed amount.
- Shopping
14 days from the day of purchase – it is the time limit allowed for giving back to the shop an unused product bought in Ukraine. In Poland it is the seller who decides if the return is possible and they are not obliged to agree to it. In both countries it is necessary to have the proof of purchase – e.g. a receipt.
If the purchased product brakes down, a consumer can file a complaint - in Poland within 2 years from the day of purchase, in Ukraine – within the period indicated by the producer in the warranty card. To file a complaint you need to contact the seller. In both countries you need a receipt.
Remember, when buying some products in Ukraine, especially non-food products, it is necessary to sign a warranty card or a receipt. Filing a complaint means that one demands a repair, replacement or money refund.
- Shopping hours
Poland and Ukraine– big shops in cities and shopping malls are open 7 days a week from 10:00 am till late at night. In both countries consumers can do the 24-hour-shopping at petrol stations along access roads to stadiums.
- Restaurants
In Poland smoking is allowed only in special smoking areas, in Ukraine there is no ban on smoking in public places. In Ukraine – the service charge is automatically included in the bill whereas in Poland the menu provides the information on it – so first ask, then order!
- Transport
Poland and Ukraine – bus, tram and train tickets are available at the station or at newsagent’s. Additionally, some drivers or train conductors sell tickets. If a person failes to buy a ticket, they should immediately inform a conductor on the fact, otherwise they may pay a fine.
Watch out: a ticket must be validated right after starting the travel
In Ukraine the train ticket price includes the fee for seat, in Poland it refers to express trains only. In other cases, the passenger decides if they pay extra money to avoid the travel in the train aisle.
Watch out: in Ukraine the conductor collects tickets at the start of travel, then returns them about half an hour before reaching the destination.
- Lost luggage
Whenever an airline loses or damages passengers’ luggage, consumers must fill in the so called PIR (Property Irregularity Report) - a special form available at the airport, providing data on the luggage description, its content, along with attached copy of owners’ ID card, ticket and confirmation of luggage registration.
- Taxi
Polish and Ukrainian taxis have special marking. In Poland one pays in cash or by credit card for fare, in Ukraine – only in cash. A travel by taxis awaiting next to famous tourist attractions, airports, or train stations may be more expensive than that ordered by phone. An average price per km in Warszawa is EUR 0.55, in Kiev EUR 0.22. Plus the initial payment.
Watch out: the price can be found on taxi-window stickers
- Car
In Poland and Ukraine you can drive a car provided you have the driving licence. In Poland it is obligatory to have the communication insurance(pl. OC, i.e. the third party insurance).Crossing the Ukrainian border, it is obligatory to have the Green Card.
Renting a car: it is necessary to ask what exactly the insurance and price include, and what additional payments are specified in the contract (e.g. defects, additional driver), if the car owner determines the maximum car mileage. It is advisable to check the car condition and draw up agreement in writing.
Watch out: together with the car rent worker it is obligatory to sign the delivery report stating that the returned car suffered no damages
- Telephones
Before setting off, consider activating the roaming service. Generally, prices of telephone connections within the EU countries are fixed at similar level. However, since Ukraine is not the EU Member State, they are more expensive. In case of frequent phone calls during the stay in Ukraine, it is worth buying the phone card of a local operator.
- Free of charge consumer assistance
Poland: +48 22 827 54 74 -consumer infoline operating during football championships, providing legal advice in the Polish and English language; available from fixed telephony and mobile phones in Poland, Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
European Consumer Centres Network ECC-Net- provides free assistance in disputes with undertakings from the EU Member States. Complaints can be filed by e-mail info@konsument.gov.pl, a form available at www.konsument.gov.pl or by phone +48 22 55 60 118, both in Polish and English.
Ukraine: +38 044 528 9205 - consumer infoline at the Ukrainian State Inspection for Consumer Rights Protection.
Both the guide and audio files in English, Ukrainian and Polish are available for download on UOKiK’s website. Furthermore, fans can obtain the guide at: the Tourist/Municipal Information Centres in Wrocław, Kraków, Gdańsk, Poznań and Warszawa, voivodeship inspectorates of Trade Inspection (Warszawa, Gdańsk, Kraków and Wrocław), ‘Warszawa Zachodnia’ railway station (western station), the Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw, the office of poviat consumer ombudsman in Wieliczka and some hotels. In Ukraine – at the office of the All-Ukrainian Consumers’ Federation PULSE and in Kiev the leaflet will be distributed by the State Inspection of Ukraine for Consumer Rights Protection in places popular with tourists.
Additionally, UOKiK and the All-Ukrainian Consumers’ Federation Pulse have jointly informed football fans on their rights in the following press releases: