Archive Newcomers

Lodging

If you are authorized temporary lodging, you will need to make 2 types of reservations when getting ready to PCS overseas:

1. Lodging Prior to Departure
   • CONUS Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE) reimburses Stateside Soldiers for up to 5 nights of lodging and meals in gov’t quarters prior to departing for Italy.
   • OCONUS Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA) reimburses overseas Soldiers for a certain number of nights (depending on duty station) of lodging and meals in gov’t quarters prior to departing for Italy.
2. Lodging Upon Arrival in Poland
   • Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA) reimburses Soldiers for overseas gov’t lodging and meals in 10- night increments. Because on-post lodging is not authorized for PCS, you will have to stay in off-post hotels.

Learn more about travel reimbursements.

OCONUS lodging in Poznan Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA) – TLA Is intended to
partially pay a SM for higher than normal expenses incurred by a member while
occupying temporary lodging OCONUS. TLA is available when it is necessary for a
Service Member to occupy temporary lodging upon arrival at or immediately before
leaving a permanent duty station OCONUS, or during other periods.

Once you arrive your TLA is limited up to 30 days incoming with approved extension up to
60 days after arrival at the PDS and 10 days before departure. Exceptions may be
granted for certain circumstances. You must actively search for house in your place of
assignment, this includes pursuing housing management office referrals as well as
available advertisements. The minimum number of visits to secure permanent housing for
each 15-day increment of temporary lodging allowance reimbursement is as follows:

• First 15-day increment – 3 dwellings
• Each subsequent 15-day increment – 6 additional dwellings
• If the SM’s efforts appear deficient, the OCONUS TLA authority’s authorizing

official must remind the SM of his or her responsibilities. SM’s who do not comply
and cannot provide an acceptable reason for the efforts being deficient will lose
their TLA authorization.

Personal inconvenience to a Service member or dependent is never a determining factor. TLA is not intended, and must not be used, for the personal enrichment of a Service member, including authorization or approval of TLA Special

Service member should occupy private-sector housing AS SOON as possible upon arrival and should not vacate sooner than necessary upon departure on a PCS order.

Hotels
You do NOT need your orders to make a hotel reservation! It is recommended that you
secure lodging upon notification of assignment. Several quality lodging options are less
than 1.5 miles from Camp Kosciuszko. Please contact your sponsor for assistance with
booking reservations to avoid long-distance calls and communication barriers.

The following hotels are within close proximity of the installation and have adjusted their
pricing to the government rate. It is strongly advised only to reserve lodging with
recommended hotels because you may be subject to out-of-pocket expenses. Make
sure to ask for the US government rate.

• Hotel Mercure (1.3km, 16 min. walk to Camp Kosciuszko)
• Sheraton Hotel (1.1km, 14 min. walk Camp Kosciuszko)
• City Park Hotel (1.1km, 14 min. walk Camp Kosciuszko)

The sponsorship program is designed to help service members and civilian employees plan their move to USAG Poland. Below are several links that can assist you during each step of your move. Sponsors are assigned by the unit for service members or by the receiving organization for civilians and are key to a successful transition.

Army Career Tracker (ACT) - Service member portal to the Total Army Sponsorship Program (TASP)

If your CAC expires less than 60 days before your arrival, please go to your local ID card office to renew it before your arrival in Poland.

If you need a new Common Access Card or you need to renew your current one, you can visit the DHR/DEERS/CAC office located on the first floor of the USAG-P headquarters building (bld 28) in room 28.

Stateside license - Make sure your state driver's license will be valid through your stay in Poland. 

The U.S. government and the Polish government have an agreement to authorize DoD personnel to drive personal vehicles in Poland with their American drivers license. However, this agreement does not extend beyond Poland's borders.  Additionally, the U.S. Army has regulations requiring drivers to have drivers training certifications before they can drive DoD vehicles in Poland. 

The USAG-P licenses office is located on the first floor of (bld. 28) the headquarters building in room 31.

International license - An International Driving Permit can be obtained for driving outside of Poland. To learn more about this, visit https://www.aaa.com/Vacation/idpf.html⚠. 

U.S. Army in Europe license - Prior to your arrival, you can also take the U.S. Forces Driver's Training Program for Europe and exam on JKO. Search for course number 007 and enroll in BOTH 007 and 007-B. The online certification is only valid for 60 days. 

In addition to your official passport or orders for service members, it is recommended that you get a tourist passport before arriving for any unofficial travel and at certain TDY locations.

The SOFA/passports office is located in building 28 (USAG-P headquarters) on the first floor in room 26.

Have your sponsor set up an APO box for you prior to your arrival. Most stores in the U.S. ship to the APO at domestic prices. However, be aware mail may not exceed 66 pounds and is limited to 42 inches maximum length and 72 inches maximum length and girth combined. Other restrictions apply, so please visit the U.S. Post Office’s website: https://www.usps.com.

Resources

• Move.mil
• Defense Personal Property System

Contact your local transportation office when you have your orders to schedule your three authorized shipments that cannot exceed 18,000 lbs total: Unaccompanied (UB), up to 350 lbs that is small enough to travel by air, Household Goods (HHG), and Non-Temporary Storage (NTS). Please note that since NTS is authorized for this location, you may want to leave some of your larger furniture pieces and appliances in storage for the duration of your overseas tour. We do recommend you ship light as many of the apartments or homes are fully or partially furnished. Our service housing office is able to grant up to a maximum of 60 days temporary lodging allowance (TLA) for Soldiers or a maximum of 90 days of Temporary Quarters and Living Allowance (TQSA) for government civilians. For this reason, we recommended that you ship your household goods to this Outside the Continental United States (OCONUS) early.

You should not ship your U.S. washer, dryer, microwave, oven or refrigerator – due to different voltage requirements. Poland is on a different voltage than the U.S.; be sure to look at your appliances to see if they are dual voltage or not. Poland is 220V and the U.S. is 110V. If your appliances say 110-220V then just a small adapter plug will work, but if they are 110V only, then you must use a converter box (transformer). There are no loaner services available, so please be sure to purchase some plug adapters and transformers in advance and either bring some with you or ship them with your household goods.

When you ship your pet, it will be at your own expense. Arrange pet shipment well in advance by contacting your CTO or airline.

All pets must have a valid rabies vaccination taken at least 21 days before they arrive in Poland and after it gets its microchip. Pets younger than three months are not allowed to enter Poland. Before you ship your pet, you must obtain:

EU Health Certificate, which cannot be older than 10 days before arriving in Europe. Military vets are usually familiar with this certificate, but civilian vets may need several weeks lead time to order the certificate from the Department of Agriculture.

Electronic microchip (ISO 11784/11785, 15-digit or compatible pet microchip). If your pet already has a microchip implant that is not ISO compatible, you can bring your own microchip scanner (or you can rent it from the your microchip’s manufacture).

Dog breeds restricted in Poland

• American Pitt Bull Terrier
• Ca de Bou (Perro de presa Mallorquin)
• American Bulldog
• Dogo Argentino (Argentine Mastiff)
• Perro de Presa Canario
• Tosa Inu
• Rottweiler
• Akbash Dog
• The Anatolian Shepherd dog, Moscow Guard Dog
• The Caucasian Shepherd Dog

Cat and dog transportation is not a separately reimbursable expense but may be claimed as Miscellaneous Expense Allowance, which is authorized for civilian employees. To qualify the civilian must elect “actual” expense versus “flat rate.”

Additional resources

• https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel
• https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/by-country/eu/pettravel-poland
• https://www.wetgiw.gov.pl/english/travelling-with-pets-from-third-countries

Depending on your orders, in most cases you will be authorized to ship one vehicle to Poland at government expense, however, taxes may apply. Once you receive your PCS orders you can schedule your drop off appointment and verify document requirements at https://www.pcsmypov.com/. 

Currently you can choose to ship your vehicle to Kaiserslautern, Germany or Poznan, Poland. You may ship additional vehicles to Poland, but these will be at your own expense. Before shipping your vehicle, you should consider the following:

Make sure you have the following original documents in hand (do not ship them with HHG):

• Original title
• Original Bill of Sale (very important – this is your primary proof of ownership in Poland! If you cannot locate it, please ask the dealer for a duplicate),
• Current registration document (the actual registration document, not just a fee payment confirmation)
• A vehicle recall verification (you took care of any factory recalls)
• Current and valid license plates
• Drivers record from you previous insurance company covering the last 7 years.

If you don’t have a clear title to your vehicle (e.g. you have a car loan and the bank holds a lien on your title), there are additional requirements/paperwork need prior to shipping your vehicle from the U.S. In that case you need a prior written bank consent to register the vehicle in Poland – please note that the process to obtain such authorization might take weeks/months but it is essential that you complete it before shipping your vehicle!

If your vehicle is old, or has body damage, it might be difficult to pass the required local inspection, repairs may be required to complete the inspection
Vehicles shipped directly to Poland will have a valid registration (US palate, import plate, or EU plate). Also vehicles must have a basic insurance before it can be driven. Recommendation is to minimize driving of these plates until Polish plates are issued.
It will take at least 45-60 days for your car to arrive after shipment. IMPORTANT: Please, do not send any of your vehicle documents with your HHG. Bring the documents in your personal baggage. Vehicles must be picked up in person at Lawica Airport, Poznan. Owner must bring the documents for pick up.

Pay-as-you-go and contract plans are available for cell phones and internet/WiFi depending on your needs and the length of your stay in Poland. Polish phone plans are relatively inexpensive and can cost as little as $7 per month. A number of free apps that work off cellular data/internet can also allow you to stay in touch with friends and family in the U.S. or other countries.  Check with your sponsor for the mobile phone app and pay-as-you-go phone plan options. 

In accordance with the Service Members Civil Relief Act, bring a copy of your Military orders to your local phone carrier in the U.S. to cancel your current contract before departing your duty station. If you would like to use your current phone with a Polish carrier, make sure your phone is unlocked.  Make sure to check with your current provider before your departure because unlocking your phone overseas will be more difficult and expensive.  Once your phone is unlocked a local provider can swap the SIM cards in the phone and start phone service.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 made most civilian permanent change of station entitlements taxable. Visit the Defense Finance and Accounting Service website to learn more about this tax, and the Relocation Income Tax Allowance. 

Stateside license - Make sure your state driver's license will be valid through your stay in Poland. 

The U.S. government and the Polish government have an agreement to authorize DoD personnel to drive personal vehicles in Poland with their American drivers license. However, this agreement does not extend beyond Poland's borders.  Additionally, the U.S. Army has regulations requiring drivers to have drivers training certifications before they can drive DoD vehicles in Poland. 

The USAG-P licenses office is located on the first floor of (bld. 28) the headquarters building in room 31.

International license - An International Driving Permit can be obtained for driving outside of Poland. To learn more about this, visit https://www.aaa.com/Vacation/idpf.html⚠. 

U.S. Army in Europe license - Prior to your arrival, you can also take the U.S. Forces Driver's Training Program for Europe and exam on JKO. Search for course number 007 and enroll in BOTH 007 and 007-B. The online certification is only valid for 60 days. 

Send request to:

usarmy.poznan.id-europe.list.gse-powidz-baseaccess@army.mil

Military/Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) Travelers: While active-duty U.S. military personnel may enter Poland under the SOFA with proper Department of Defense (DOD) identification and travel orders, all SOFA family members, civilian employees, and contractors also must have valid passports. NO VISA or SOFA STAMP.

Non-US Government personnel: Require a Visa for stays longer than 90 days.

Consular Agency Poznań

ConsularAgencyPoznan@state.gov 

Contact your local transportation office to arrange your transportation to Poland. You can also use the SATO office in Kaiserslautern, Germany, to book your travel. They are familiar with European travel issues and can conduct arrangements by email.

The easiest way to make your journey to Poland is through commercial air. Your sponsor should arrange to meet you at the airport, or help you arrange transportation once you arrive.

After arriving in Poland, you will find a variety of transportation options.  Tram and bus lines can take you almost anywhere you need to go in major cities in Poland.  You can download the free "Jakdojade" phone app to coordinate your travel by tram or bus.  This is also the app used to purchase tickets.  

Many destinations are also within walking or biking distance.  Camp Kosciuszko is 1-2 miles from the main business district in Poznan but parks, grocery stores, apartments and other shopping options are only blocks from the base.

All newly arriving Soldiers and Civilians must in-process upon arrival to Poland.  The in-processing meeting at Camp Kosciuszko is at 11 a.m. each Wednesday in the Building 28 auditorium.  All personnel are required to attend this brief so that they can get vital information for their adjustment to Poland.

Contractors are encouraged to attend. Please Contact us to register for you in-processing using the information below.

Soldiers: There is a schedule of events that lasts 3 business days (not including federal, training days). You will receive a checklist that will need to be completed within a 7 business day window.

Civilians and Contractors: You will receive a checklist that will need to be completed and signed by your supervisor. There is no time requirement.

• Day 1 Wednesday: Installation New comers brief. Arrive 10 min prior start time 1100-1200 Building 28 Auditorium.
• Day 2 Thursday: Culture College. Arrive 10 min prior start time 0900-1600 Building 28 Auditorium.
• Day 3 Friday: Culture College Applied. 10 min prior start time 0900-1600 Building 28 Auditorium.

FAQ

Can my Unit pull me out of In-Processing?

No. Classes are MANDATORY.

Contact us at: usarmy.poznan.21-tsc.list.asg-p-dhr@army.mil

The Housing Services office is located in room 34 in building 28 at Camp Kosciuszko.

To contact a Housing Specialist:

Primary: +48 451 071 332
Secondary: DSN: (314) 538-8822
Email: usarmy.poznan.usag.mbx.usag-poland-dpw-hsg-services-office@army.mil

To expedite the process of finding housing, come prepared to your appointments with the Housing Specialist by knowing exactly what parameters you require in housing. Contact the Housing Office for more information.

Service members and civilians living off post should ensure their lease is reviewed by the housing office prior to signing. Also, be prepared to pay approximately three months rent upfront to cover the first month's rent, security deposit and a realtor fee. These fees should be covered by entitlements except for the deposit which will be returned by the landlord upon lease termination with the exception of costs for damages. Most apartments in Poland come fully furnished.  This can include a bed, TV, washer (no dryer), stove, refrigerator, and dresser/closet.

Service Member Entitlements:

For more information on military allowances, contact the Directorate of Human Resources Military Personnel Division. 

For more information on military allowances, contact the Directorate of Human Resources Military Personnel Division. 

Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA)

TLA is intended to partially pay a service member for higher than normal expenses incurred by while occupying temporary lodging OCONUS. TLA is available when it is necessary for a service member to occupy temporary lodging upon arrival at, or immediately before leaving, a permanent duty station OCONUS, or during other periods as specified in DoD FMR, Volume 7A, Chapter 68, para. 6804.

Inbound TLA: Maximum 60 Days - Service member must be actively seeking housing and provide supporting documentation. TLA must be settled every 15 days

Outbound TLA: Maximum 10 Days - Outgoing service members are entitled up to 10 days if residing in private rental housing.

For further information on TLA, refer to Army in Europe Regulation 37-4.

Unaccompanied PCS tour (no HHG)

Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) - is meant to offset costs for a service member's meals.

• Officers: $280.29
• Enlisted: $406.98

Family Separation Allowance (FSA) - a service member with dependents who serves an unaccompanied tour of duty may be entitled to a family separation allowance (FSA).

• Officers/Enlisted: $250.00
• COLA: $0.00

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) - an allowance to offset the cost of housing when you do not receive government-provided housing. Your BAH depends upon your location, pay grade and whether you have dependents. *USAR/ARNG BAH will only be paid based off of the home of record listed on the order. U.S. Army Europe and Africa policy prohibits the amendment to change address after the order is issued.

Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) - enables authorized service members assigned to permanent duty overseas to lease privately-owned housing. OHA is a cost-reimbursement allowance and is designed to offset housing costs. It includes three separate components: rent, utilities/recurring maintenance, and a move-in housing allowance (MIHA).

Dual military, BAH and OHA

Service member with dependents - If a service member is serving an unaccompanied overseas tour, the member is eligible for BAH at the "with dependents" rate, based on the dependent's U.S. residence zip code, plus OHA at the "without dependents" rate, if the member is not furnished government housing overseas. (Reference: DoD FMR, Vol 7A, Chapter 26, para. 10.7.1)

Service member without dependents - If a member is serving an unaccompanied overseas tour, the member is eligible for BAH at the "without dependents" rate based on the members home of record zip code listed on their orders. The member may complete the secretarial waiver process to waive BAH to receive OHA in lieu. (Reference: DoD FMR, Vol 7A, Chapter 26, para. 10.5.1.6)

U.S. Army Reserve or National Guard member married to a service member with dependents - For a service member on active duty for 31 or more days, each service member is authorized BAH or OHA, one at the with dependent rate and the other at the without dependent rate. (Reference: DoD FMR, Vol 7A, Chapter 26)

U.S. Army Reserve or National Guard member married to a service member without dependents - For a service member on active duty for 31 or more days, each service member is authorized BAH or OHA at the without dependent rate. (Reference: DoD FMR, Vol 7A, Chapter 26, para. 10.5.4)

For more information on military allowances, contact the Directorate of Human Resources Military Personnel Division. 

Temporary Quarters Subsistence Allowance

TQSA is a non-taxable supplement for employees traveling to and from an overseas duty location on official travel orders and authorized Living Quarters Allowance. This allowance covers expenses for lodging, meals, laundry and dry cleaning not to exceed the maximum allowance. TQSA is granted for up to 90 days (in 30 day increments) after your arrival at the overseas duty station. You may request an advance of these funds or reimbursement of expenses.

Living Quarters Allowance (LQA)

Based on individual eligibility determinations, Living Quarters Allowance is granted for the annual cost of suitable adequate housing for an employee and his/her family at an overseas duty station. Actual expenses for rent and utilities may be paid up to the maximum authorized by regulations. The maximum rates are set on an annual basis by the Department of State and are reviewed every two weeks and adjusted according to foreign currency fluctuations and interim reports.

Examples of reimbursable expenses include rent, electricity, gas, water, and realtor fees, if customary, reasonable, and legal under local law. Living quarters allowance rates are categorized by "quarters groups" based on the employee's grade level and his/her family size.

Involuntary Separate Maintenance Allowance

Involuntary SMA may be granted when an agency determines that adverse, dangerous, unhealthful living conditions, such as lack of medical facilities, warrant exclusion of your family from your post of assignment or when the agency determines that there is a need to exclude family members from accompanying an employee to the area. Children are eligible for Involuntary SMA until they reach 21 years of age.

Post Allowance (COLA)

The Post Allowance, or Cost of Living Allowance, rate for Poland is 0%. Click here for more information on COLA and a current list of rates.

Send request to:

usarmy.poznan.id-europe.list.gse-powidz-baseaccess@army.mil

Send request to:

usarmy.poznan.id-europe.list.gse-powidz-workorder@army.mil

All services members stationed or deployed overseas must enroll in TRICARE Overseas. This enrollment is required in order to receive medical or dental care from host national medical facilities. 

          Steps to Enroll in TRICARE OVERSEAS PROGRAM: 

          YOU WILL NEED A COPY OF YOUR ORDERS

          1. Call +44 208 762 8384, select OPTION 2

          3. ANSWER THEIR QUESTIONS, USE YOUR ORDERS

          4. FOR ADDRESS USE YOUR UNIT WITH APO AE 09017

While Poland is a part of the European Union, its currency is the zloty (PLN). A single zloty is made up of 100 grosz. You can change money in banks or Kantors (exchange offices).  The current exchange rate from U.S. dollars to zloty is approximately 1USD to 4 zloty. Exchange rates fluctuate from day to day. Banks, ATM's and Kantors will likely charge a commission or currency exchange fee.

Most American credit cards work in Poland and Europe. You will not need to carry cash unless that is how you prefer to make purchases. (Call your credit card company before your departure to verify if your card is accepted in Poland.) When making a purchase with a credit card additional fee's may be incurred if you choose to pay in USD instead of zloty (PLN).  Choose to pay in PLN to avoid these fees.

While the cost of living in Poland is generally lower than in the U.S., be aware of initial expenses as part of your in-processing and settling in Poland. 

While in Poland, an "Eagle Cash" card will be available for you to get cash in zloty when needed. The finance office at Camp Kosciuszko is located in building 28 on the first floor in room 32.

Public transportation is used widely in Poland, and across Europe. 

• Poznan public transport guide

Most shopping centers in Poland are within walking or biking distance of the base/housing. The tram or bus lines can be used within city limits for longer distance travel. You can download the free "Jakdojade" phone app to coordinate your travel by tram or bus.  This is also the app used to purchase tickets.  

Trains can be used for traveling greater distances across the county.  Train lines connect most major cities across Poland.  Some of these lines can also take you to other countries.

Europe (including Poland) uses 220 volt outlets while America uses 110 volt outlets.  To use any American electrical products in Poland without causing damage to the item, you will need an adapter that can convert the 220v current into 110v.  

You may find it hard to locate electric converters in Poland so it can be useful to bring one or two of them with you.  Some converters can be purchased with built in power strips for added convenience.  Products in the USA are often sold online and in stores.

Consumer habits in Poland are different than those in America. For example, most Polish stores do not offer bags for customers to carry their items home in.  You may want to bring a bag with you when you shop.  The same electronic cables, soaps, deodorants, make-up, foods and other items that are available to you back home may or may not be available in Poland. If there is something you require and you are unsure if you can find a suitable replacement overseas, you may want to bring the item with you, but be aware that airfares can increase with the weight of luggage.

It is recommended that all Soldiers & DA Civilians (regardless of status) set-up an APO box. An APO box simplifies the process to order goods directly from the U.S. Most stores in the U.S., like Amazon, Walmart, Old Navy/GAP, and etc. ship to the APO at domestic prices. However, be aware of the size restrictions on the APO address: mail may not exceed 66 pounds and size is limited to 42 inches maximum length and 72 inches maximum length and girth combined. 

Camp Kosciuszko Post Office Hours:
• Monday to Friday: 0900-1130 / 1300-1600
• Saturday and Sunday: Closed (includes all federal holidays)

For outgoing mail, there are two ways to mail letters and packages:

• A personal USPS click and Ship account (this is created by YOU). You can also use your USPS account to order stamps directly to your PSC box if you wish.
• The APO in Poznan has basic USPS retail functions where you can mail a parcel or letter out same as you can at a UPSP Post Office in CONUS
• Stamps are also available. The APO has a limited supply of pre-stamped envelopes.

Camp Kosciuszko many several amenities such as a 24 hour gym, pool and laundry services.  There is also an outdoor track, basketball court and soccer field on site.  The gym also has WiFi.

BLDG 24 Gym:
• Basketball Court
• Volleyball
• Free Weights Gym
• Cardio Equipment
• Indoor Pool (Mon-Fri 0700-2000)
• Sauna

Mon-Sat

•        Breakfast 0730-0900

•        Lunch 1130-1300

•        Dinner 1700-1830

Sunday 

•        Brunch 0900-1300

•        Dinner 1700-1830

Mon-Sat 0800-1700

          • Laundry facility is bulk laundry (they do it for you), 72-hour turn around.

          • Max weight 15lbs or 7kg per bag (Will be weighed at location).

Medical Treatment Facility (MTF) – Role 2

          Building 14

          Sick Call:

          Mon-Thur: 0830-1030 and 1600-1800

          Fri-Sat: 0830-1030

          *Bring a signed sick-call slip (DA Form 689)

          Emergencies Call +48 261-543-142

   Office: USO CHU

          Mon-Fri: 1300-2100 

          Sat- Sun & Holidays: 1200-2000

          +1-443-472-6414

          Building 17

          Mon-Fri: 0800-2000 

          Call +1 804-720-9823 for an appointment

          Building 18

          Mon-Fri 0900-1600

          Building 17

          Mon-Fri 0900-1600

Building 23

Mon-Sun: 0730-2200

Hours: 24/7 

Mon-Fri: 1300-2100 

Sat- Sun & Holidays: 1200-2000.
USO Powidz • USO Poland

Mon-Fri: 0800-1800 

Sat: 0800-1500

Sun: CLOSED

Mon-Fri: 0900-1530

Sat: 0730-1300

Mon-Sun: 0900-1700 

Building 16

Monday: 1800-1900 Bible Study

Wednesday: 1800-1900 Catholic Bible Study

Friday: 1230-1330 Muslim Prayer

Sunday:

•        0900-1000 Catholic Mass

•        1100-1200 Protestant Worship

•        1300-1400 Latter-day Saints