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Is Poland good for expats?

Author

Emily Carr

Published Mar 07, 2026

Is Poland good for expats?

Poland is strongly underrated as a destination for both expats and tourists, but there may be a lot you don't know about the country, even if you have lived here for a while.

Keeping this in view, is Poland a good country for expats?

Living in Poland can be a great adventure, but the country does have its challenges for both foreigners and locals. Choosing to live in Poland, especially for those who don't have Polish roots or connections and know little about the country, will likely involve a steep learning curve, but might very well be worth it.

Also, how much money do you need to retire in Poland? With such a budget-friendly standard of living, you can live cheaply in Poland with around $100,000 saved. If you're able to draw a modest salary, you can afford to rent, or possibly buy, a stylish apartment in a nice neighborhood in a large Polish city.

In this way, is it safe to live in Poland?

It's safe to live in Poland - the cities were rated highly for their safety with the average rate being 4.63 on a 6-grade scale. Although the Polish are generally considered friendly and helpful (the average score is 4.05), we are not very tolerant. Expats feel being discriminated against in every city.

What is Poland like to live in?

Living in Poland is like living anywhere else in Europe. I think the Poles tend to be more connected to nature as manifest by the large percentage of people in Poland who have farms or gardens. Even in Krakow, there are a number of garden houses. I would say six months you stay inside because of winter.

What do I need to know before moving to Poland?

12 things to know before moving to Poland
  • You need to start the residence process immediately.
  • You can pretty much buy anything here nowadays.
  • Facebook Expat pages are great sources of knowledge.
  • Most apartments are fully furnished.
  • You need a Polish comrade.
  • Bring your birth certificate.
  • You need a PESEL number.

Is Poland expensive to live in?

Cost of living in Poland – 2020 guide. It's no secret that living in Poland is much cheaper compared to other European countries. Affordable prices of food, rent and entertainment are usually one of the main reasons why people choose Poland to be their home.

Is it good to settle in Poland?

Poland joined the club of 25 the most developed economies in the world according to FTSE Russell and ranks 8th as the best country for female workers. The country has one of the highest rates of English as a second language in the world and there are a lot of job opportunities for multilinguals.

Can I move to Poland from USA?

In order to do so, you need to turn to the nearest Polish Embassy or Consulate before moving to Poland. This is because Poland is part of the Schengen Agreement. Schengen visas are valid for three months. However, in order to legally work in Poland, expats need to apply for a work permit in addition to their visa.

How can I settle in Poland?

To obtain a temporary residence permit, you should provide documented reasons for your living in Poland. Taking up a job or education in Poland, as well as marriage to a Polish citizen, are one of the most common reasons. A temporary residence permit can be obtained for any period, but not longer than 3 years.

Is Poland poor or rich?

Poland is not a poor country by any means, but the region has historically possessed little wealth due to occupation, wartime and political mistreatment. As such, alleviation of poverty in Poland has been a focal point of recent Polish governments.

Does Poland have property taxes?

Properties in Poland must be registered for property tax. It is typically paid in 4 installments throughout the year (15th March, 15th May, 15th September, 15th November), but can be paid in one installment. It is common for property owners to have to pay Perpetual Usufruct on their properties to the government.

Is Poland still a poor country?

Around 17% of Poles live in poverty, a figure that has remained stubbornly consistent even as the overall economy has boomed. And although the residents of Warsaw now enjoy a standard of living similar to their peers in Berlin, some parts of the country rank among the poorest regions in the entire European Union.

Can you drink alcohol in public in Poland?

Polish police take a strict approach to public drunkenness. You are not allowed to consume alcohol in public places or you may be fined. The drink-drive limit in Poland is 20 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood – which is lower than the UK.

Why is Poland so poor and still in the EU?

Poland is comparatively poor compared to some Western European countries simply because it was held back by 40 years of so-called “socialism” and being under Soviet control.

Do I need to carry my passport in Poland?

Air travelers to Poland may be denied boarding if their passports lack this remaining validity. Polish citizens (including U.S.-Polish dual nationals or those with claims to Polish citizenship) must enter and depart Poland using a Polish passport.

Why is Poland so polluted?

Most of that air pollution across Poland has been the result of the country's dependence on coal to power its homes and economy. The country's coal industry remains an important part of the local economy. Poland is the second largest coal-mining country in Europe, after Germany.

Can foreigners buy property in Poland?

Foreigners can freely buy condominium units in Poland. Land for commercial purposes can be freely bought by citizens of the European Economic Area (EU + Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway). Foreigners, both legal entities and individuals, can freely lease land or real estate, without restrictions.

Does Poland allow dual citizenship?

Polish law does not explicitly allow dual citizenship, but possession of another citizenship is tolerated since there are no penalties for its possession alone. However, penalties do exist for exercising foreign citizenship, such as identifying oneself to Polish authorities using a foreign identification document.

What is the retirement age in Poland?

Poland's statutory pension age has been restored. The retirement age has been brought back to 65 years of age, for men and 60 years, of age, for women. The previous government had introduced a phased increase of the retirement age to 67 years by 2020 for men and by 2040 for women.

Is Poland a good country to live in?

Poland is considered a very safe and friendly country to study and live. According to the statistics, it is one of the safest countries in the European Union. Polish citizens are very well known for their hospitality. Poland is a great place to live - you should come and see with your own eyes!

How can I get dual citizenship in Poland?

Dual Citizenship Poland

Citizenship is mainly based on the principle of ius sanguinis and is granted automatically to individuals born to at least one Polish parent, irrespective of the place of birth. Polish citizenship may also be granted by adoption, naturalisation or by restoration.

Is US Social Security taxable in Poland?

If you are covered under U.S. Social Security, you and your employer must pay U.S. Social Security taxes. If you are covered under the Polish system, you and your employer must pay Polish social security taxes.

What is the average Polish salary?

around 7,560 PLN per month

What is the average household income in Poland?

In Poland, the average household net-adjusted disposable income per capita is USD 19 814, much lower than the OECD average of USD 33 604 a year. There is a considerable gap between the richest and poorest – the top 20% of the population earn close to five times as much as the bottom 20%.

How much does it cost to move to Poland?

Warsaw: Single people choosing to move to Poland alone, will pay between 1300 PLN – 3200 PLN (€299 – €738) for a single bedroom apartment in the centre of the city. For families who immigrate to Warsaw and are looking for a 3 bedroom, should expect to pay around 2400 PLN – 6000 PLN (€553 – €1300) per month.