Moving to Poland from the UK: Complete guide

Planning on starting a new life in Poland? This beautiful country attracts expats from all over the world, including many Brits. We’ve created a guide covering everything you need to know about moving to Poland from the UK, including the cost of living, what has changed for Brits after Brexit and much more.

We’ll also point out a cost-effective way to manage your money across borders – the Wise account from the money services provider Wise. It’s an international alternative to a bank account that lets you manage your money in 40+ currencies including British pounds and Polish złoty.

You can send, receive and convert money at great mid-market exchange rates and low, transparent fees*. Your money is always safeguarded and every transaction is secured.

Looking to take your savings with you? Wise can also help you with large transfers.

Learn more about the Wise account 💰

Table of contents

Can you move to Poland from the UK? Moving to Poland from the UK after Brexit How to get a Polish visa How to move to Poland from the UK 1. Research the job market 2. Secure a job 3. Collect the necessary documents 4. Find accommodation 5. Look into health insurance and Polish banks What’s the cheapest way to get to Poland from the UK? Options for retiring in Poland Living in Poland - The key facts Cost of living - how much money do you need to move to Poland Renting or buying property in Poland Healthcare system Opening a Polish bank account Finding a job in Poland Working in Poland Checklist for moving to Poland from the UK Save on your relocation costs to Poland with Wise Conclusion

Can you move to Poland from the UK?

Yes, you can move to Poland from the UK, but it might be more complicated than it was before.

Since the UK left the EU, British people are now considered third country nationals. However, there are still many options for moving to Poland from the UK.

Moving to Poland from the UK after Brexit

UK citizens don’t need a visa to enter Poland, but it’s necessary for permanent relocation. This applies to all non-EU and non-Swiss nationals, including British citizens. Anyone who wishes to permanently reside in Poland needs a National visa, also known as the D-type visa.¹

Also, all those intending to live and work in Poland will need a residence permit. A temporary permit is called Karta czasowego pobytu, while a permanent residence permit is known as Karta Pobytu.¹

The paperwork needed to apply for a D-type visa includes your passport, a filled out visa application form, a photograph and a visa fee. You’ll also need to provide proof of medical travel insurance with at least €30,000 coverage.¹

Additional documents are required in certain situations, but you should contact the Polish Embassy directly about this. These supporting documents include proof of adequate financial resources and the purpose of your relocation.²

How to get a Polish visa

There are three kinds of the Polish D-type visa - Work visa, Student visa and Family visa. This determines the exact documents you’ll need to provide.³

Regardless of the visa type, all applications must be submitted to the Polish Embassy. After gathering the necessary documents and completing the application form, you will be scheduled for an interview. Once you have completed these steps, you should hear back from them within about two weeks.³

How to move to Poland from the UK

When figuring out how to move to Poland from the UK, you’ll need to consider what you plan to do once you arrive. Let's go through the general steps involved in moving to Poland for work:

1. Research the job market

Start by researching the job market in Poland, including positions in demand and salary averages. Look into which cities offer the most opportunities and explore some job-seeking websites. You can rely on platforms like LinkedIn or check out local options such as Praca.pl for job listings.

2. Secure a job

To live in Poland, you’ll need a long-stay D visa and a residence permit called Karta Pobytu. Securing a job and obtaining a work contract will enable you to apply for both.

3. Collect the necessary documents

Check which documents are required for your visa application. These typically include proof of sufficient funds, passport-sized photos and health insurance. After gathering them and paying the visa fees, you can apply. All long-stay D visas have a similar application process, but make sure you check for any new information in case anything changes.

4. Find accommodation

Your employer may be able to help you with finding accommodation. If not, make sure you secure at least temporary housing, since you'll need to provide this information for your visa application. Websites like Szybko.pl or Otodom.pl are a good place to start looking.

5. Look into health insurance and Polish banks

To live and work in Poland, you’ll need to arrange health insurance and open a bank account. While you’re waiting for a visa decision, research different banks to choose one for receiving your salary.

This is just a brief overview of the steps you'll need to take. Additional steps may be required depending on your situation and the purpose of your stay. For example, the process differs if you're moving to Poland on a family or student visa.

💡 Read more: Is it better to use cash or card in Poland?

What’s the cheapest way to get to Poland from the UK?

The most convenient and often most affordable way to travel is by plane. At the moment, the cheapest month to fly is January, when you can get a one-way ticket for as little as £24.⁴

However, average ticket prices are generally higher and it’s not always possible to find a good deal. A more realistic price you can expect to pay is between £40 and £80 for a one-way ticket.⁵

Options for retiring in Poland

Whether you're approaching retirement age or planning ahead, you might be considering Poland as a potential retirement destination. Although Poland doesn't have a dedicated retirement visa, you can rely on the existing D-type visa.

If you manage to retire in Poland, you can also claim your UK state pension there. It can be paid into a UK bank account or a Polish one, in which case you’ll be paid in the local currency. You can choose how often you’ll get paid - anywhere from 4 to 13 weeks. Contact the International Pension Centre to get the most recent information.⁶

Living in Poland - The key facts

Here are some basic facts you should know about Poland if you’re considering moving there:

💰 Currency:	Polish zloty (PLN)
🗣️ Main language:	Polish
👥 Population:	38,398,084⁷
🇬🇧 Number of British expats:	around 49,000 (2021)⁸

💡 Read more: What’s the best currency to take to Poland from the UK?

Cost of living - how much money do you need to move to Poland

Before you officially move to Poland from the UK, it’s good to get an idea of how far your money will go. In general, the cost of living in Poland is lower than in the UK. For instance, you will pay almost 50% less for rent on average and 40% less for groceries.⁹

Let’s take a look at a few average prices for common spending categories in Poland, compared with the UK:

• A three-course meal for two costs around £33 in Poland, while it’s £63 in the UK
• A loaf of bread is around £0.90, compared to £1.20 in the UK
• A draught beer is around £2.70, compared to £4.8 back in the UK
• A monthly public transport pass costs around £23, compared to £70 in the UK
• Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre is around £566, compared to £1,050 in the UK
• Utilities for a typical apartment are around £200 a month, compared to £246 in the UK⁹

When it comes to purchasing a property, this is also more affordable in Poland. For instance, the price per square metre for a city centre apartment is around 40% lower than in the UK.

Renting or buying property in Poland

Whether you plan to rent or buy property in Poland, finding the perfect home will most likely require effort and patience. A real estate agent could help guide you through the process, or you could search Polish property websites on your own.

Here are some popular property websites in Poland:

• Szybko
• Otodom
• Gratka
• Rentola
• Adresowo

As a foreigner, you’ll likely need a permit from Poland’s Ministry of the Interior in order to buy property. The permit is granted if the purchase aligns with the interests of the country.¹⁰

💡 Read more: The best UK banks for sending money abroad

Healthcare system

Poland has a universal healthcare system, primarily funded through public contributions. Both foreigners and locals are obligated to pay health insurance fees and only those insured with the public Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) have access to public healthcare.¹¹

Opening a Polish bank account

Opening a Polish bank account should be at the top of your checklist once you move. It’s essential for paying rent, handling everyday expenses and being paid by your employer.

Not all Polish banks allow non-residents to open bank accounts, but many do. The required documents can vary by bank, but you’ll likely be asked to provide your ID, proof of address and proof of employment. Some of the popular banks are Pekao, Millenium, PKO and Santander.¹²

Whether you’ll be able to keep your UK bank account after moving depends on your bank. For example, Barclays closes your account once you move abroad.¹³

And, as an alternative to bank accounts, check out the Wise account. It enables you to send, receive, and spend in multiple currencies, including British pounds and Polish zloty.

Finding a job in Poland

Since the UK left the EU, it’s no longer possible to come to Poland and look for a job freely. Being employed is now a requirement for the long-term work visa. However, you can find work in Poland through recruitment agencies or various employment websites, such as Pracuj.pl or Praca.pl.

If you’re the entrepreneur type, you might want to consider starting your own business. It can be a great way to get to know the country and establish your career. Besides, unemployment is very low in Poland, so finding a job might sometimes be tricky.¹⁴

Working in Poland

Once you find a job, you can apply for a long-term visa. Your employer might need to prove that your position couldn’t be filled by an EU citizen.

Your visa will be valid for as long as your contract, which is usually one year, but it can be renewed.¹⁵

Checklist for moving to Poland from the UK

Here’s a quick checklist what you need to have in order before moving to Poland:

• Research the visa options, gather your documents and apply
• Find a place to live, either online or by travelling to Poland to view properties
• Get an estimate for shipping your belongings to Poland
• Look into Polish banks, find some that suit you and see if they let you open an account before arriving
• Look into taking out a private health insurance policy
• Tell HMRC that you’re leaving the UK
• Book your flight to Poland

Save on your relocation costs to Poland with Wise

Before moving to Poland, you’re likely to have lots of costs to cover. Some of these, such as real estate costs, visa application fees and rental deposits, will need to cross borders and can get expensive because of the transfer fees and exchange rate markups.

Open a Wise account and you can send money between the UK and Poland for low, transparent fees* and the mid-market exchange rate. You can also get the Wise card to spend in PLN from the moment you step off the plane. It works in 150+ countries and automatically converts your pounds to the local currency whenever you spend, only adding a tiny, upfront currency conversion fee.

Here’s an overview of the main benefits for using Wise:
Fast and easy setup with no physical paperwork Dedicated support for large transfers Sophisticated security and anti-fraud measures Low, upfront, transparent fees* and the mid-market exchange rates Fully trackable transfers Fast transfer times Two-factor authentication and real-time notifications

Sign up with Wise today 💰

Conclusion

Moving to Poland from the UK is slightly more complicated after Brexit, since you’ll have to apply for a long-stay visa. However, the approval process is quite quick and obtaining it likely won’t be complicated.

Poland is significantly cheaper than the UK, so you’ll probably be saving money by relocating here. You’ll notice that rent costs, groceries and restaurant prices are all lower than back home.

Whether you decide to retire, study, or work in Poland, you’ll quickly begin enjoying all the benefits of life there. This wonderful country is an underappreciated European gem that welcomes people from all over the world.

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Sources used:

1. Immigration Advice Service - moving to Poland
2. Gov.pl - D-type visa
3. Visa Guide - long-stay visas for Poland
4. Skyscanner - cheapest time to fly to Poland
5. Skyscanner - London-Warsaw flights
6. Gov.uk - State Pension if you retire abroad
7. Worldometers - Poland population
8. Polskie Radio - UK expats in Poland
9. Numbeo - cost of living in the UK compared to Poland
10. Investropa - buying property in Poland
11. University of Warsaw - healthcare in Poland
12. Global Banks - Polish bank account
13. Barclays - living outside the UK
14. Gov.pl - low unemployment rates
15. Piktalent - work visa

Sources last checked on date: 06-Nov-2024