The following is a list of medals, awards and decorations in use in Poland. Most of them are awarded by the Polish Army, but some are civilian decorations that may be worn by the military personnel.
Most of these decorations ceased to be awarded; some were awarded before World War II only, and some in the People's Republic of Poland only; order of some of them was changed by law.
The state awards may be awarded only by the President of Poland. The order of precedence was last reformed in 2007. The order of precedence is: 6 orders (order) in specific order of precedence (see table below); other orders in order they were received; 12 crosses (krzyż), 3 medals (medal) and 6 stars (gwiazda) in specific order of precedence; other crosses and awards in order they were received.
National orders +Order of the White EagleOrder of Polonia RestitutaOrder of the Cross of IndependenceOrder of Merit of the Republic of Poland
Military orders +Order Virtuti MilitariOrder of the Military Cross
Currently recognized state awards subject to order of precedence Award I class II class III class IV class V class Description Established inOrder of the White EagleOrder Orła BiałegoPoland's highest decoration awarded to both civilians and the military for their merits.1705Virtuti MilitariPoland's highest military decoration for valor in the face of the enemy1792Order of Polonia RestitutaOrder Odrodzenia PolskiOrder of Poland RebornAwarded to both civilians and the military for their merits.1921Order of Military CrossOrder Krzyża WojskowegoAwarded to military personnel for actions in peacetime.2006Order of the Cross of IndependenceOrder Krzyża NiepodległościAwarded for struggle for independence in 1939-1956 period.2010Order of Merit of the Republic of PolandOrder Zasługi Rzeczypospolitej PolskiejAwarded to foreigners for contributing to good foreign relations.1990Other orders in the order they were received.Cross of ValourKrzyż WalecznychPolish military decoration awarded to a person who "has demonstrated deeds of valor and courage on the battlefield."1920Military CrossKrzyż WojskowyCombat decoration, conferred to a military, irrespective of rank and service for combat valor against an act of terror in the territory of Poland or while on a mission of the Armed Forces overseas.2007Cross of Merit for BraveryKrzyż Zasługi za DzielnośćFor recognition of military or police personnel.1928Gold Cross of Merit with SwordsZłoty Krzyż Zasługi z Mieczami Awarded for deeds of bravery and valor not connected with direct fight, as well as for merit rendered in perilous circumstances.1942Cross of Freedom and SolidarityKrzyż Wolności i SolidarnościAwarded to members of anti-communist opposition movement in PRL.2010Virtus et Fraternitas MedalMedal Virtus et FraternitasFor those who keep remembrance about people of Polish nationality or Polish citizens of other nationalities who are victims of Soviet crimes, Nazi German crimes, nationalist crimes or other crimes against peace, humanity or war crimes, in the period from November 8, 1917, until July 31, 1990.2017 Gold Cross of MeritZłoty Krzyż ZasługiCivil state award established to recognize services to the state.1923Silver Cross of Merit with SwordsSrebrny Krzyż Zasługi z MieczamiAwarded for deeds of bravery and valor not connected with direct fight, as well as for merit rendered in perilous circumstances.1942Silver Cross of MeritSrebrny Krzyż ZasługiCivil state award established to recognize services to the state.1923Bronze Cross of Merit with SwordsBrązowy Krzyż Zasługi z MieczamiAwarded for deeds of bravery and valor not connected with direct fight, as well as for merit rendered in perilous circumstances.1942Bronze Cross of MeritBrązowy Krzyż ZasługiCivil state award established to recognize services to the state.1923Military Cross of Merit with SwordsAir Force Cross of Merit with SwordsNavy Cross of Merit with SwordsWojskowy Krzyż Zasługi z MieczamiLotniczy Krzyż Zasługi z MieczamiMorski Krzyż Zasługi z MieczamiConferred for meritorious service in combat operations against acts of terrorism at home or during military missions overseas.2007Military Cross of MeritAir Force Cross of MeritNavy Cross of MeritWojskowy Krzyż ZasługiLotniczy Krzyż ZasługiMorski Krzyż ZasługiBestowed for outstanding non-combat meritorious achievement or service.2007Saint Florian's CrossKrzyż Świętego FlorianaAwarded to outstanding and distinguished members of the Voluntary Fire Service.2021Medal for Sacrifice and CourageMedal za Ofiarność i OdwagęCivil award for risking one's life to save another's.1960Medal for Long ServiceMedal za Długoletnią SłużbęConferred for long service in the armed forces, police, fire service, education, justice, central or local administration; awarded for 30, 20 and 10 years of service respectively1938, reactivated in 2007Medal for Long Marital LifeMedal Za Długoletnie Pożycie MałżeńskieFor a marriage lasting 50 years or more.1960StarsGwiazdyAfghanistan Star (for service in Afghanistan; since 2002)Iraq Star (for service in Iraq; 2003–2008)Chad Star (for service in EUFOR Tchad/RCA and MINURCAT; 2008–2009)Congo Star (for service in EUFOR RD Congo; 2006)Mediterranean Sea Star (for service in Active Endeavour; since 2005)Air Crew Star (for service, inter alia, in Baltic Air Policing; since 2005)2008 (2)2010 (3)2012 (1)Decoration of Honour for Officers and Other Ranks for Wounds and Injuries Odznaka honorowa dla Oficerów i Szeregowych za Rany i KontuzjeAwarded to any military, irrespective of rank or branch of service for a wound or injury sustained in action against an enemy in defense of the country.1920Other crosses and awards in the order they were received.
Presidential awards Award I class II class III class Description Established inSiberian Exiles CrossKrzyż Zesłańców SybiruFor deported to Siberia, Kazakhstan and northern Russia by the Soviet regime after September 17, 1939, as well to their children who were born there2003 Eastern CrossKrzyż WschodniFor foreigners who helped and saved Polish citizens in 1917-1991 period in former Polish territory and Soviet Union2016 Western CrossKrzyż ZachodniFor foreigners who helped and saved Polish citizens in 1939-1989 period in opposition to German occupants (during World War II) and Polish communist government (after war) 2017 Medal of the Centenary of Regained IndependenceMedal Stulecia Odzyskanej NiepodległościFor Polish citizens who contributed to the regaining or strengthening of the sovereignty of the Republic of Poland, including, in particular, the building of a Polish citizens' community and a sense of national identity, development of science, praising the good name of Poland through culture and art, social development and strengthening ties with Poles abroad and building the economic prosperity of the state.2018
Ministerial awards Award I class II class III class IV class Description Established inMedal of the Armed Forces in the Service of the FatherlandMedal Siły Zbrojne w Służbie OjczyznyFor Polish military personnel awarded for long service in the Polish armed forces1951. Ministry of Defence award since 2008. Medal of Merit for National DefenceMedal Za Zaslugi dla Obronnosci KrajuPresented to Polish military personnel and civilian employees for meritorious activities to strengthen military power of the country.1966 and revised 1991Polish Army MedalMedal Wojska PolskiegoServices to the Polish armed forces by foreign civilian and military personnel1999Medal of Merit for Firefighting Medal Za Zasługi dla Pożarnictwa For outstanding achievements in the fire brigade1952Medal of Merit for PoliceMedal za Zasługi dla PolicjiFor outstanding achievements2001Medal of Merit for the Border GuardMedal za Zasługi dla Straży Granicznej2004Medal of the National Education CommissionMedal Komisji Edukacji NarodowejOutstanding contribution to education1967Medal for Merit to CultureMedal Zasłużony Kulturze Gloria ArtisDistinguished contributions to the Polish culture and heritage.2006 Decoration of Honor "Meritorious for Polish Culture"Odznaka honorowa Zasłużony dla Kultury PolskiejDistinguished contributions to the Polish culture and heritage.1969Decoration of Honor "Bene Merito"Odznaka Honorowa "Bene Merito"For activities aiming at strengthening of the position of Poland on the international arena.2009Decoration of Honor "For Merit In Actions Outside the Republic of Poland"Odznaka Honorowa "Za zasługi w działaniach poza granicami RP"For merits of personnel of Police, Firefighters, BOR and Border Guard during service abroad.2011 (in general); 2013 (detailed)Badge of Honour of the Polish Red Cross Odznaka Honorowa Polskiego Czerwonego Krzyżafor merits in the implementation of the humanitarian goals of the Polish Red Cross1927Pro Patria MedalMedal Pro PatriaFor special merits in cultivating the memory of the struggle for the independence of the Polish2011Pro Memoria MedalMedal Pro MemoriaFor outstanding contributions in perpetuating the memory of the people and deeds in the struggle for Polish independence during World War II2005Decoration of Honor "For Merit To Human Rights Protection"Odznaka honorowa "Za Zasługi dla Ochrony Praw Człowieka"For extraordinary achievements in defense of human rights.2009Decoration of Honor "For Merits to the Rights of the Child Protection"Odznaka Honorowa za Zasługi dla Ochrony Praw DzieckaFor extraordinary achievements in defense of the Rights of the Child.2013Guardian Medal of the Places of National RemembranceMedal Opiekuna Miejsc Pamięci NarodowejSpecial merits in promoting the idea of national memory and the distinctive activities of the commemoration of struggle and martyrdom of the Polish Nation1976
Former awards Award I class II class III class IV class V class Description Established inOrder of Saint Stanislaus Order Św. Stanisława Biskupa i Męczennika
Орден Святого Станислава1765Cross of Independence with SwordsKrzyż Niepodległości z Mieczmi1930Cross of IndependenceKrzyż Niepodległości1930Medal of IndependenceMedal Niepodległości1930Krzyż Ochotniczy za Wojnę 1918-1921Volunteer Cross for War 1918-19211939 Krzyż na Śląskiej Wstędze Waleczności i ZasługiCross on Silesian Ribbon of Valour and Merit 1921Cross of Military Meritsof Central Lithuania1922Medal za Ratowanie GinącychLife Saving Medal1928Army Medal for War 1939-45Medal Wojska za Wojnę 1939-451945Air Force Medal for War 1939-45Medal Lotniczy za Wojnę 1939-451945Navy Medal for War 1939-45Medal Morski za Wojnę 1939-451945Merchant Marine Medal for War 1939-45Medal Morski PMH za Wojnę 1939-451945Krzyż Monte CassinoCross of Monte Cassino1944Krzyż Armii KrajowejHome Army Cross1966Medal Pamiątkowy za Wojnę 1918-1921 Commemorative Medal for War of 1918-19211928Medal 10-lecia Niepodległości Medal of the 10th Anniversary of Independence1928Medal of 3rd of May Medal 3 maja1925Order of the Builders of People's PolandOrder Budowniczych Polski LudowejHighest civil decoration of the People's Republic of Poland.1949-1992Order of the Cross of GrunwaldOrder Krzyża GrunwalduAwarded by the Gwardia Ludowa for acts of heroism in armed combat with the German occupiers for fighting for freedom and Polish Independence.1943-1992Order of the Banner of WorkOrder Sztandaru PracyAwarded for unique achievements for the Nation and the Country.1949-1992Zasłużonym na Polu ChwałyFor Merits in Field of Glory1943-1992Odznaka „Za Zasługi dla Obrony Cywilnej” Medal "Merit for the Civil Defence"1976Odznaka „Za zasługi w ochronie porządku publicznego” Medal for "Merit in defending public1971Medal „Za udział w walkach w obronie władzy ludowej” “For combat in defense of the Peoples Power”1983Krzyż Kampanii Wrześniowej