Moving to Poland - How to Immigrate to Poland? (2024)

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Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a beautiful country located in Central Europe. The country is classified as a high-income economy that offers plenty of available jobs for foreigners who want to work there.

Poland is a great place to live and offers a good quality of life to all its residents. Living costs in Poland are relatively low when compared to other Western European countries, which is why there is an increase in the number of expats moving to Poland.

Who Can Move to Poland?

Anyone can move to Poland, however, the moving process is different for EU citizens and people outside of the EU.

EU/EEA and Switzerland citizens can move to Poland freely without undergoing the application process for a visa. However, they need to complete some legal formalities after entering the Polish territory.
Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens need a type of D visa (long-stay visa) and a temporary residence to be allowed to stay in Poland more a period longer than 3 months.

How Can I Move to Poland as an EU Citizen?

European citizens can move to another member state of the European Union without needing a visa. As such, you can move to Poland to live, work, or study without an entry visa. All you need to do is register your stay at the local registration office.

How Can I Move to Poland as a Non-EU Citizen?

Non-EU nationals who want to move to Poland for different reasons such as to live, work, or study, need to apply for a long-stay visa (D visa) first. Poland issues different types of long-stay visas that you can apply for depending on the purpose of your stay.

Once you get your D visa (long-stay visa), you can move to Poland and apply for a temporary residence permit to legalize your stay. A temporary residence will allow you to stay in Poland for one to three years.

Moving to Poland to Work

As a non-EU citizen, you cannot travel to Poland and start working without a visa. If you have a job offer or employment contract with an employer in Poland, you need to apply for a Poland Work visa. However, your employer needs to apply and get a work permit for you before you apply for a work visa.

Poland issues different types of work visas that you can choose:

Moving to Poland to Study

If you want to travel to Poland to study, you need to apply for a student visa at the Polish diplomatic missions (embassy/consulate) in your country. Once you receive your student visa, you travel to Poland and apply for a temporary residence permit.

With a student visa, you can stay in Poland for up to two years and can work part-time.

If, after a certain time, you are financially stable, you can apply for permanent residence and get a residence card.

Moving to Poland for Family Reunification

Non-EU nationals who want to join their non-EU family members in Poland need to get a Family Reunification visa.

This type of visa is issued to:

Spouses (if you are legally married).
Children under the age of 18.
Parents (if they are dependent on you and there is no other family member to take care of them).

A family visa allows you to stay in Poland for three years and can be extended. During this time you can work and also study.

Why Should I Move to Poland?

Here are the pros and cons of moving to Poland:

Pros	Cons
Healthcare— Poland has insurance-based healthcare, which is delivered to the residents free of charge. You can get treatment through public or private health services. Poland has made health insurance compulsory for everyone, including foreigners living there.	Bureaucracy— Poland has a high level of bureaucracy. This means that you will have to deal with many regulations and documents that you have to fill in, especially if you want to start your own business.
Living costs— Poland is among the most affordable countries in the European Union. Therefore, living there might be one of the best benefits. Whether you decide to rent or buy property, the market price is still lower than what you would find in most European countries.	Language— since the Polish language is amongst the hardest languages to pick up in the world, you might have a hard time learning the language. The Polish language includes words that might be confusing and hard to pronounce, especially for English speakers.
Public transport— Poland has a wide network of trains, trams, and busses, therefore public transportation is easy and efficient. Rail travel is one of the most preferable and convenient ways to move around the city.	Climate— in Poland, you will say bye to sunny days and hello to moderate climate. Winters in Poland are cold with temperatures below freezing, however, you can still enjoy the high temperatures during the summer season.
Affordable accommodation— accommodation will not be a problem when moving to Poland. You can find accommodation for cheap even in big cities like Warsaw.
Safety— Poland has a low crime rate and levels of violent demonstrations. The country is also very welcoming towards foreigners and serious crimes against foreigners are very rare.
Nature— Nature in Poland can be described as lush, diversified, and beautiful. Poland has beautiful mountains, lakes, rivers, beaches, and wild forests that will astonish you with their stunning scenery.

How Can I Become a Permanent Resident of Poland?

Foreigners who want to become permanent residents of Poland must have lived in the country for at least 5 years under a long-stay visa (work, study, or family reunification visa), or they must have been married to a Polish citizen for at least three years.

After becoming a permanent resident of Poland, you can apply for Polish citizenship.

Does Poland Allow Dual Citizenship?

Poland allows dual citizenship. This means that you are allowed to have both Polish and foreign citizenship.

However, although Poland allows dual citizenship, if the country of your first citizenship does not allow dual citizenship, you must choose between Polish citizenship or your current citizenship.

Can I Apply for Polish Citizenship After Moving to Poland?

You cannot apply for Polish citizenship without living in Poland. To become a Polish citizen, you need to meet the criteria set by the government. You can only apply for Polish citizenship after three years of continuous residence on a permanent residence permit in Poland.

Can I Bring My Personal Belongings to Poland?

If you are moving to Poland permanently, you can bring your household goods into the country by air, sea, or land.

When importing your personal belongings into Poland, you must complete a set of customs duties.

Household goods include:

Furniture.
Furnishings.
Household supplies.
Clothing, etc.

EU nationals can bring their household goods duty-free, however, non-EU nationals moving to Poland can also import their household goods duty-free if their items are at least six months old. On the other hand, Poland has a value-added tax (VAT) which is separate from customs duties. This means that even if you are exempt from the regular import duties, you will need to pay VAT 22%.

*You are not allowed to sell the imported items for one full year after bringing them to Poland.

Can I Move to Poland With Pets?

Anyone entering the EU borders can bring their pets to Poland. However, there are certain rules that pet owners must comply with to be allowed entry into the country. Entry rules may vary depending on whether you are coming from an EU country or a non-EU country.

Entering Poland With Pets From an EU Country

EU nationals entering Poland with pets (dogs, cats, and ferrets) must meet the following requirements:

Pets must be identified with a transponder according to Regulation (EU) No. 576/2013 or a readable tattoo.
Pets must be vaccinated against rabies as indicated in Regulation (EU) No. 576/2013. Polish law prohibits the import of young dogs, cats, or ferrets under 12 weeks old without valid vaccination against rabies.
Pets must be accompanied by a passport issued by a veterinarian authorized by the competent authority.

Entering Poland With Pets From a Non-EU Country

Non-EU nationals entering Poland with pets (dogs, cats, and ferrets) must meet the following requirements:

Pets must have individual identification.
Pets must have a valid vaccination certificate against rabies.
Pets must have a neutralizing antibody titration test.

*Dogs and cats from Australia and Malaysia must comply with an additional set of requirements.

Most Popular Areas in Poland for Expats

Here are some of the most popular places for expats to move to in Poland:

Warsaw.
Wrocław.
Kraków.
Lublin.
Gdańsk.

Warsaw

The capital city of Poland is one of the most popular places for expats. Warsaw is a city rich in culture and offers many great work opportunities. However, the city is expensive, so you should plan your finances carefully. For example, the average rent price for an apartment is around €900, however, the price varies on location, size, and quality of the apartment.

In Warsaw, you will find beautiful landmarks and old town streets, lots of green spaces, and museums. So if you have a free day, you can go out and explore the city or participate in outdoor activities as there are many things to do and see.

Wrocław

Moving to the southwest of Poland, you will find the beautiful city of Wrocław. Wrocław is known to be home to thousands of expats from all over the world. In Wrocław, you will find plenty of places for entertainment such as bars, clubs, cafes, and restaurants, so you will not get bored during the day or night.

The city also has a relatively low crime rate, so if you are looking for a place to feel safe Wrocław seems like a great choice. Wrocław will mesmerize you with its beauty, vibrant character, history, and colorful Market Square, which is one of the most famous features of the city.

Kraków

Kraków is a city that has something for every type of people. The city is located in southern Poland near the border of the Czech Republic. Kraków offers a perfect mix of historical sites, medieval architecture, affordable restaurants, many museums, and entertainment places.

To get the most out of Kraków, it is recommended to reside near the old town, as it is the most frequented area. The living costs in Kraków are more affordable than in most cities in western Europe.

The city is perfect for couples and also digital nomads, but that does not mean that solo travelers or families should close an eye when it comes to Kraków.

Lublin

Lublin is known for having many green spaces and the high quality of life it offers to its residents. If you want to move to a quiet and peaceful place, Lublin will give you just that. The city is very peaceful and safe, with almost no crime on the streets. It is perfect for couples with kids and there are many great neighborhoods to choose from.

Lublin also belongs to the group of cities that offer affordable living costs, however, how much you spend depends on your own references and style. You can find apartments with a price range of 300 per month and higher.

Gdańsk

If you like port cities, Gdańsk can be a great choice for you. Gdańsk is a beautiful city located on the Baltic Sea. The city might not be as popular as other cities like Warsaw, Wrocław or Kraków but its beauty cannot be underestimated. The “unpopularity” can be seen as an advantage since there will be fewer people and crowds, with the exception of summer months when there are tons of tourists.

Gdańsk also has a relatively low cost of living and a well-developed public transport system. The one downside of living in Gdańsk can be the long and cold winters, so if you are not a fan of cold weather, you might consider moving to Gdańsk.

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