Working in Krakow

Kraków’s popularity as an expat destination is growing, and as Poland’s second-largest city, it provides a dynamic economy and welcoming environment for professionals.

As the city’s economy expands, there are a growing number of job opportunities for skilled individuals working in fields such as finance, IT, manufacturing and the service sector. If you speak English or French, you will also find a demand for your language skills in the tourism sector.

Job market in Kraków

There’s a healthy job market in Kraków as one of Poland’s most important economic hubs. There’s a lot of foreign investment in Kraków, and many multinational corporations are setting up shop here. This is thanks to the favourable conditions and incentives provided by Małopolska Province, as well as the city’s sound infrastructure and its convenient location in Central Europe.

Unemployment rates in the city have consistently been the lowest in the country year over year, with the current rate at just over 2 percent. Most job opportunities in Kraków can be found in the service, financial and technological sectors.

Kraków is also one of Europe’s top outsourcing destinations and is home to prominent international corporations like IBM and Google. Tourism is also a growing industry in Kraków, and this is a particularly good sector for both English- and French-speaking workers.

Finding a job in Kraków

If you’re an EU citizen with a strong professional background in areas like finance and technology, you probably won’t have too much trouble finding a job in Kraków. If you work for an international company with operations in Kraków, look into the option of an intra-company transfer.

For expats from outside the EU, you will need to navigate the complicated work permit process once you’ve secured a position, as Polish citizens and EU nationals get priority.

Online job portals, such as LinkedIn, Pracuj.pl and Careers in Poland, are good places to begin your job search. You should also contact English-speaking Polish recruitment companies like Goldman Recruitment or Motife, which can assist you with finding jobs before they are even publicly listed.

While those working for a major multinational may only need to speak English, having some proficiency in Polish will certainly be an advantage.

Visas and Residence Permits for Poland
Work Permits for Poland

Useful links

• Pracuj.pl
• Careers in Poland
• OLX.pl
• InfoPraca.pl

Work culture in Kraków

As in the rest of Poland, business in Kraków is a formal affair, although this is gradually evolving with the influence of international companies and tech startups. Traditionally, Poles have a strong work ethic, and people rarely take a formal lunch break in Kraków. Rules of the workplace are respected and strictly adhered to. Poles are punctual, and it is seen as disrespectful to be late for an appointment.

Trust and honesty are highly valued in professional circles. As such, you should make an effort to build solid personal relationships with your Polish colleagues.

While Polish is the official language of business in Poland, English is widely spoken in business circles, especially those in big cities like Kraków. Do learn some basic Polish phrases, but you’ll find the language barrier isn’t a significant issue.