We report on the polarization properties of the exciton-polariton modes in GaN. The dispersion curves and the expected emission lineshape of polaritons for all polarization configurations are calculated taking into account the spatial dispersion and the simultaneous exciton-photon coupling of all optically active states. An experimental study of the exciton-polariton luminescence in a free-standing GaN layer is also performed. The spectra reveal a clear difference between the emissions polarized perpendicular and parallel to the c-axis of the crystal. The experimental results are discussed in terms of optical selection rules and population of the polariton states. © 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.