The growing acceptance of ink-decorated bodies in Poland has resulted in an increase in the number of people getting tattoos.
Tattoos have enjoyed unflagging popularity among various groups of people for many years, and the best tattoo studios can boast of several weeks of waiting queues. No wonder then that a very large number of young people would like to decorate their bodies in this way.
The truth, however, is that the law does not regulate this matter in a super specific way. That is why a lot of young Polish folks (and tourists alike) are wondering at what age they’re allowed to get their first ink work done in the country.
So, How Old Do You Have to Be to Get a Tattoo in Poland?
Although, as already mentioned, the Polish law does not state any specific age limit for getting a tattoo, most reputable studios will not agree to provide their services to people who are below 18 years old.
People who are wondering when you can legally get a tattoo should know that tattoo studios are very skeptical about making this type of ornament on underage people. It is true, however, that you can find places where a tattoo can be made by a person over 16 years of age, provided that they have special permission from their parents.
However, the parental consent must be in writing and should state that the parent understands that the tattoo is permanent and accepts the chosen theme (yes, believe it or not, some minors can convince their parents to give them a “permission” for a tattoo that will be hard to live with later).
Some Polish tattooers refuse to tattoo for ethical reasons, even with parental consent. Why should minors not get a tattoo? The truth is that teenagers are very prone to making decisions under the influence of emotion and being momentarily young.
So, if you’re under 18 and would like to get inked in Poland, the best way is to wait until you turn 18. This will not only make the whole process much easier, but it will also give you time to think about whether you really want a tattoo and what kind of design would be the best for you.
Poland vs Other Countries
In other countries, the age requirement for getting a tattoo may vary. For example, in the United States, all states allow tattoos for people over 18 years of age, but many make it possible for minors as young as 14 to get inked – as long as they can provide a written parental consent form and/or are accompanied by a parent or guardian.
In Europe, the age limit for tattoos generally falls between 16 and 18 years old.