Moving To Poland From The UK
Whether you are moving to Krakow, Warsaw, or Gdansk, Britannia Movers International has the experience and the local knowledge to suit your move abroad to your specific needs.
Importing Personal Effects to PolandAll shipments to the EU from the UK will now have to clear customs on arrival and you must ensure you can provide all relevant customs documents required at destination. Your contact at your local Britannia office will assist you with which forms are necessary along with what supporting documentation you will need to provide. However, the responsibility for completion and submission of these forms now falls with the customer and it is advisable that all these formalities are prepared for prior to the move to avoid potential delays in transportation and additional charges. If you are moving to Poland from outside the EU then you will need a completed Polish customs form and a certificate obtained from the Polish Consulate in the origin country. Britannia will advise you of the requirements prior to your move. |
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Poland Customs Prohibitions and RestrictionsIn general, it is in your interest not to import the following items:
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Poland Transit TimesTransit times can vary subject to the method of transport chosen, size of your consignment and the final destination. Britannia will advise you once this information is established. |
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Protecting Your Items for Transport to PolandAll shared load consignments will be bar coded before they are loaded into the vehicle. This will ensure that no items are left at origin. |
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Moving to Poland with PetsBritannia can recommend a specialised shipper of animals to assist you in sending your family pet(s) from home to home. They will coordinate all documentation and necessary veterinary procedures. Find out more about pet transport. |
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Moving Motor Vehicles To PolandImportation of motor vehicles to Poland will be subject to compliance. Duty and tax may apply, but not always, and you will also be able to import either a new or used car. |
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Poland Currency TransferWhen you are making international payments for individuals you can benefit from IFX expertise in seeking the best possible rate, whether you are sending or receiving foreign currency. IFX can help to protect you from exchange rate fluctuations and save you time and money on international payments. IFX offers:
More info on the IFX website. |
Moving to Poland with Britannia
Your Move to Poland with Britannia – For many years Britannia has been providing an excellent door to door shipping and removal service to Poland, and can either transport your effects by shared load or by sole use container load. Household and personal effects can be transported to Poland in various ways; overland by road van, by sea containers or by air.
Additional Removal Services – Britannia can provide a variety of additional removal services when moving to Poland. We can provide fully comprehensive international insurance, arrange international storage, and can also take care of your money transfer.
If you are interested in moving to Poland, you can request a removals quote and read more about our European removals.
Living in Poland
Poland offers an exciting expat life, with its unique Central European culture, beautiful historic towns and landscapes, and low living costs. Warsaw, Poland’s capital and the country’s business centre is a truly cosmopolitan city, with a diverse culture, cafes, many tourist attractions and a mixture of architectural styles from gothic cathedrals to modern skyscrapers.
Located in Central Europe, bordered by Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Ukraine, Poland is nowadays a parliamentary democracy. Although under communist rule until 1989, Poland’s economy is constantly improving, and the country also ranks high on the Human Development Index and can boast a relatively high standard of living. Poland is a member of the European Union, NATO, United Nations, and the OECD, and has a high-income economy.
Although Poland has more conservative social policies than some other neighbouring countries, and liberal values haven’t gained as much ground in recent decades as in some other European countries, you will find a truly diverse and unique country with cultural traditions going back hundreds of years. So, whether you want to visit stunning historic towns, like Gdansk, Krakow or Wroclaw, live a modern cosmopolitan life on a smaller budget, or experience beautiful sceneries that range from mountains to deserts, Poland is an appealing expat destination.
Poland Visas
UK citizens wanting to stay in Poland for longer than 90 days will need a relevant visa. To live and work in the country, expats will need a Temporary Residence Permit combined with a Work Permit. To qualify, the applicant will need to have secured a job offer, as it will be employer that initiates the visa process on their behalf. The employer will also need to prove there is no suitable candidate from Poland or the EU. The temporary residence permit will usually be valid for up to three years, depending on the work contract.
After living in Poland for five years continuously, expats can apply for a Permanent Residence Permit. This will allow them to live and work in Poland indefinitely, without needing additional permits or visas, as long as they meet the necessary integration and financial requirements.
Working in Poland
Poland enjoys one of the lowest employment rates in Europe, showing a remarkable boost from previous years where the economy was struggling. Whilst Polish employers do need to show that their vacancies can’t be filled by Polish or EU candidates, expats can often find jobs in sectors that require specialised skills or international expertise. Key industries included IT, business services such as HR, finance, and customer service, engineering, healthcare, and education.
The working culture in Poland is generally quite formal, hierarchical and focused on professionalism. There will be a clear hierarchical structure in most businesses, with respect shown for those in authority. Communication will tend to be formal, especially in emails and meetings where titles are often used. This can vary in more international companies or creative industries though, which may lean towards more informality. People in Poland are typically characterised as having a strong work ethic, with a focus on delivering high standards and meeting deadlines.
Cost of Living in Poland
Living and housing costs are substantially lower in Poland than in the UK, though a lot will also depend on your lifestyle and where you are moving to in Poland. According to Numbeo, on average, the cost of living in Poland is nearly 35% lower than in the UK, not counting rent. Rent costs alone are 46% lower in Poland. Salaries are also lower, at around 53% less when compared to the average salary in the UK.
You can check out some of the items you are likely to purchase regularly whilst living in Poland below. Prices are shown in Polish złoty and converted to UK pounds alongside the price in the UK so you can see how costs match up.
Item | Price in Poland | Price in UK |
Milk (1l) | 3.85 zł £0.74 |
6.48 zł £1.25 |
Loaf of white bread | 4.88 zł £0.94 |
6.38 zł £1.22 |
Eggs (12) | 12.05 zł £2.32 |
15.31 zł £2.94 |
Bananas (1kg) | 6.47 zł £1.25 |
6.08 zł £1.16 |
Chicken breasts (1kg) | 24.02 zł £4.63 |
34.23 zł £6.59 |
Bottle of water (1.5l) | 2.45 zł £0.47 |
5.68 zł £1.09 |
Pair of quality jeans | 303.97 zł £58.57 |
332.21 zł £64.01 |
Chain store dress | 147.33 zł £28.39 |
165.91 zł £31.87 |
Mid-range trainers | 328.53 zł £63.30 |
385.61 zł £74.30 |
Cinema ticket | 28.00 zł £5.40 |
51.90 zł £10.00 |
Fitness Club Fees (1 month) | 137.48 zł £26.49 |
172.13 zł £33.17 |
Interesting Facts About Poland
- Forests cover almost one third of Poland and over 50% of the land area is dedicated to farming.
- About one third of modern Poland used to be ethically, culturally and linguistically German.
- Poland can boast 17 Nobel Prize winners, including prizes in literature and Peace Prizes.
- Poland ranks very high for child well-being on a list compiled by the UNICEF in 2007.
- Poland has the eighth-largest population in Europe and the sixth-largest population in the European Union.
Choose Britannia for Your Poland Relocation
If you are thinking about moving to Poland and want to find out more about our international removal services or request a removals quote, you can call us on 0845 6006661 or email sales@britannia-movers.co.uk. Our team will be happy to discuss how we can help you with your international relocation.