Pros and Cons of Moving to Poland

Living in Poland can be a great adventure, but the country does pose its challenges for both foreigners and locals. Choosing to live in Poland, especially if you 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. As is usually the case with any destination, there are some advantages and disadvantages to moving to Poland.

Below is our list of the pros and cons of moving to Poland.

Accommodation in Poland

+ PRO: Accommodation is affordable and generally easy to find

Accommodation in Poland, even in the capital of Warsaw, is affordable compared to other European countries. Polish cities also tend to have a variety of accommodation, from small apartments to freestanding houses, and you won’t have to search long to find something that suits your taste, budget and commute.

- CON: Small apartments and limited space

People in Poland generally live in apartments, and you may be surprised how small apartments can accommodate whole families. Consequently, many places are a lot smaller than you may be used to.

+ PRO: English-speaking realtors available

You can generally find an English-speaking real estate agent to help in your search, although this might be a slightly more expensive option.

Accommodation in Poland 

Cost of living in Poland

+ PRO: Relatively inexpensive compared to other European countries

The cost of living in Poland compares favourably with other European countries. Food, eating out, public transport and rent are significantly cheaper than in Western Europe. Monthly average living costs are considerably less than in major Western European hubs, making Poland one of the most affordable EU destinations.

Cost of Living in Poland

- CON: Pricey clothing, electronics and petrol

Many Poles complain that items such as new clothes, electronics and imported goods are more expensive than in Western Europe. Petrol is also expensive and, along with parking fees as well as other related costs, should make you think twice before purchasing a vehicle in Poland.

- CON: Rising inflation impact

Despite Poland’s generally affordable cost of living, the country has experienced significant inflation in recent years, with rates reaching double digits. While inflation has now cooled somewhat, prices for everyday essentials are higher than they were, affecting budgeting for both locals and expats.

Lifestyle and culture in Poland

+ PRO: Lively nightlife and entertainment in Polish cities

The lifestyle and culture in Poland offer something for everyone, from high culture to festive celebrations. Polish cities boast a diverse range of cultural events, including art exhibitions, concerts, talks, food events, and film and music festivals. Museums and galleries are plentiful.

There are also many outdoor activities that are easily accessed during the summer months, such as windsurfing, kayaking, hiking in the mountains, camping, going to the beach and bike riding. The Tatra Mountains near Kraków offer excellent skiing in winter, while Lake Malta in Poznań and the Baltic coast provide water-based recreation during warmer months.

- CON: Bureaucracy is rife

Bureaucracy and inefficient customer service prevail in some areas and government departments. As such, you should expect lots of red tape when trying to organise your residency or work permits. Polish visa processing involves considerable paperwork, with temporary residence permits often taking several months to process – a common source of frustration among newcomers.

Visas and Residence Permits in Poland 
Work Permits in Poland

- CON: Long working hours and high pressure in the workplace

Poles work hard and spend long hours at the office, ranking second in the EU for weekly working hours. Whether this will be expected of you depends on your company’s culture and the nature of your role. There is a lot of competition for steady, well-salaried employment, and this can lead, on occasion, to strained and suspicious relations in the workplace.

Working in Poland

- CON: Long winters

No matter how much you may love the cold and snow, the short winter days and large amount of time spent indoors can cause anxiety. In a bad year, the winter can last six months, and Poles often cite this as a reason for emigrating. Winter weather can also affect transport reliability, although major cities clear main routes quickly after snowfall.

Climate and Weather Charts in Poland

+ PRO: Poles are multilingual

Most younger Poles are multilingual, and many Poles will know English. This is particularly true in urban areas and university cities where international connections are stronger. Attitudes toward foreigners have been evolving positively in recent years, especially among the younger generation who travel and interact more with other cultures.

Healthcare in Poland

+ PRO: High standard of inexpensive private healthcare

Healthcare in Poland offers a mixed picture, with private options standing out for quality. Top-notch private healthcare is available from hospitals with superb medical staff and world-class equipment. Compared to other countries, private healthcare is relatively cheap, and if you work for an international company or a well-regarded Polish company, you’ll usually have a private healthcare package included in your employment. The vast majority of expats opt for private coverage, accessing specialists within days rather than the months-long waits typical in the public system.

Healthcare in Poland

- CON: Doctors often have a poor bedside manner

Polish doctors are not known for their bedside manner and may come across as unsympathetic. Progressive ideas about patient self-advocacy, such as birth plans and keeping the patient informed, are not common in Poland. You should expect to be treated with brusqueness or impatience, even in the private system. Preventive care approaches also lag behind Western European standards, with less emphasis on patient education and health promotion.

Transport and driving in Poland

+ PRO: Developed and affordable public transport system

Transport and driving in Poland benefits from significant infrastructure investments. Most Polish cities have well-developed and wide-reaching public transport systems. Some of them, including Warsaw, also have public bike-sharing schemes, which allow you to rent, pick up and drop off bicycles at various dedicated sites across the cities. Cycling infrastructure has expanded dramatically, with Warsaw now boasting over 330 miles (530km) of bike lanes, alongside similarly impressive networks in Gdańsk, Wrocław, and Kraków.

Transport around the country is also affordable and available, and even small villages usually have a functioning bus line, even if it only runs a few times a day. There is also a well-developed rail network, and quick, reliable trains run between all major cities, as well as between Warsaw and other European capitals.

Transport and Driving in Poland

- CON: Underdeveloped road infrastructure

Although there are some highways, many main routes, such as the road from Warsaw to Gdańsk, often consist largely of a single lane in each direction, meaning traffic congestion can be an issue. Compared to the United States or even other Western European countries, it can be expensive to maintain a car in Poland, and petrol is pricey.

+ PRO: Expanding infrastructure projects

Poland is making significant investments in transport infrastructure, with the Solidarity Transport Hub representing the largest infrastructure project in the country’s history. Over 1,200 miles (2,000km) of new expressways, motorways, and ring roads have been completed in recent years. The Via Baltica connecting Poland to Lithuania and other Baltic states is also under development, promising improved regional connections in coming years.

Education in Poland

- CON: Language barrier in public education system

While public schools offer free education for all residents, non-Polish speaking students face significant challenges due to instruction being primarily in Polish. Language support varies widely between schools and regions, with more solid programmes in major urban areas. The transition period can be challenging for older children who must simultaneously adapt to a new curriculum while learning a complex language.

+ PRO: High-quality international schools in major cities

Education in Poland provides several strong options for expat families. International schools are available in major urban centres, including Warsaw, Kraków, Poznań, Wrocław, Łódź, Gdańsk, and several other cities. These institutions typically offer curricula based on British, American, or International Baccalaureate systems, creating a smooth educational transition for globally mobile families. Standards are generally high, with many schools boasting excellent facilities and experienced international teaching staff.

Education and Schools in Poland

Local culture in Poland

+ PRO: Rich cultural traditions and celebrations

Local culture in Poland offers expats a fascinating melange of traditions, celebrations, and customs dating back centuries. Polish holidays showcase the country’s deep cultural roots, from colourful Easter celebrations with decorated eggs (pisanki) and blessed food baskets (święconka) to Christmas Eve’s Wigilia dinner with its symbolic empty chair for unexpected guests.

Unique traditions like Fat Thursday (Tłusty Czwartek), when Poles indulge in doughnuts before Lent, or Śmigus-Dyngus, a playful water-throwing celebration on Easter Monday, provide charming glimpses into Polish cultural identity.

- CON: Conservative social attitudes in some areas

While attitudes are evolving rapidly, particularly among younger urban Poles, more traditional and conservative social viewpoints remain common in many parts of Poland. Some expats from more progressive societies may find certain social attitudes challenging to negotiate. Patience and cultural sensitivity are essential when engaging with topics where values may differ substantially from your home culture.

+ PRO: Warm hospitality and rich culinary traditions

Polish hospitality is legendary, with traditional greetings often including offerings of food and drink. It’s customary for hosts to serve alcohol with meals, although toasting typically waits until someone proposes 'Na zdrowie' (to your health).

The Polish kitchen delights with hearty, flavorful dishes utilising local ingredients. Garden products like cabbages, horseradish, and forest-foraged mushrooms feature prominently in traditional recipes like bigos (hunter’s stew) and diverse soups.