Bilateral Relations
Relations between the Philippines and Poland are characterized by a shared Catholic heritage and span across many fields, including politics, trade and investments, defense, legal and parliamentary cooperation, education, culture, tourism, and people-to-people interactions.
The two countries formally established diplomatic relations on 22 September 1973.
The first resident Embassy of the Philippines in Poland was established in December 1990. It was closed in 1993, just when Poland opened its Embassy in Manila that year. The Polish Embassy also closed its mission in Manila in 1994.
Starting in 1993, Poland was placed under the jurisdiction of the Philippine Embassy in Budapest. The Philippines, meanwhile, was covered by the Polish Embassy in Kuala Lumpur beginning in 2010.
On 06 September 2009, the Philippines reopened its Embassy in Warsaw. Since its reopening, five Ambassadors have served at the Philippine Embassy. His Excellency Alan L. Deniega is the current Philippine Ambassador to Poland.
On 04 January 2018, Poland reopened its Embassy in Manila, which has since been headed by a Chargé d'affaires.
On 21 September 2023, the Philippines and Poland commemorated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations, paving the way for two milestone events in their bilateral relations: (a) the Official Visit of Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski to Manila on 03-04 September 2024; and (b) the holding of the 6th Political Consultations between the Philippines and Poland on 13 November 2024 in Warsaw.
Bilateral Agreements
To date, the Philippines and Poland have agreements on the following:
- MOU between the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and the Polish Space Agency (POLSA) on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (2024)
- MOU between the Department of National Defense of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Poland Concerning the Development of Bilateral Relations on Defense (2013)
- MOU on Consultation and Cooperation between the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland (2005)
- Undertaking Between the Polish Maritime Administration and the Maritime Training Council Concerning the Recognition of Certificates Under Regulation I/10 of the 1978 STCW Convention, As Amended (2004)
- Agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the Republic of Poland Concerning Civil Air Services (1993)
- Agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the Republic of Poland for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income (1992)
- Philippines-Poland No Visa Agreement for Holders of Diplomatic and Service Passports (1992)
Filipinos in Poland
Based on official records, there are over 7,000 Filipinos in Poland. A sizeable number are in the sectors of IT/BPO, advertising, manufacturing, wellness education, and hospitality/food and beverages. There are also several Filipinos married to Polish nationals, and Filipino students in Polish universities.
Currently, Filipino-owned International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) is developing, operating and managing the Baltic Container Terminal (BCT) in the northern Baltic port city of Gdynia in the Pomeranian Region. In December 2022, the Port Authority of Gdynia awarded ICTSI a 30-year lease extension to operate and develop the BCT from 2023-2053.
Polish Nationals in the Philippines
Polish nationals visiting the Philippines have been increasing consistently through the years. Based on Department of Tourism figures, Polish tourist arrivals increased to over 15,000 in 2024 from a mere 4,000 in 2022.
The places of interest have been Cebu, Bohol, Boracay, Palawan, along with other natural and adventure destinations in the country.
