Child's travel from Poland to Norway without the other parent's consent – legal consequences

• Taking a child abroad requires the consent of both parents with full parental authority.
• Lack of consent from the other parent may result in serious legal consequences, including criminal charges and a procedure for the child's return under the Hague Convention.
• In case of lack of consent, one can apply to the court for substitute consent.
• Norwegian regulations are similar to Polish ones – moving a child without the other parent's consent is prohibited.
• Appropriate documents are required: child's passport/ID, the other parent's consent, any court rulings.
• The parent whose child has been abducted should report the matter to the police, initiate the Hague procedure, and seek legal assistance.

According to Polish law, any taking of a child abroad, even for a short period (e.g., vacation), is considered a significant matter for the child and requires the consent of both parents with full parental authority. The exception is when one of the parents has been legally deprived, suspended, or limited in parental authority by the court.

If the other parent refuses to consent to the child's travel, one can apply to the Polish family court for substitute consent, which will allow the child's legal travel.

In Norway, similar rules apply. When both parents have joint parental responsibility, a permanent move of a child abroad without the other parent's consent is prohibited. Short trips (e.g., vacation) are usually allowed, but in case of suspicion of child abduction, the Norwegian court may impose protective measures, including a ban on the child leaving the country.

However, if the child has a permanent residence in Poland, Polish regulations take precedence, and Norway, as a country adhering to international regulations, will respect the rights of the parent remaining in Poland.

To plan a legal trip with a child abroad, the following are necessary:

• valid identity document for the child (passport or ID card),
• written consent from the other parent for the trip (preferably in writing, although it is not formally required by law),
• copies of court rulings, if the parent traveling with the child has exclusive parental authority or has obtained substitute consent.

Taking a child abroad without the other parent's consent can be classified as illegal child abduction, resulting in:

• initiation of the procedure for the child's return to Poland under the Hague Convention,
• possibility of criminal charges (crime of child abduction),
• risk of limitation or deprivation of parental authority for the parent who violated the law,
• negative emotional consequences for the child.

The parent whose child has been unlawfully taken abroad should immediately take the following steps:

• report the matter to the police in Poland,
• initiate the procedure for the child's return under the Hague Convention (through the Ministry of Justice),
• apply to the family court in Poland for protection (e.g., establishing temporary custody or a ban on the child's travel),
• seek legal assistance, both in Poland and in Norway.