Moving to Poland from The UK

Moving house locally can be stressful – but moving to an entirely different country can bring about new levels of unease.

If you’re thinking about moving from the United Kingdom to Poland, this guide will tell you everything you need to know – from visa requirements to cost of living differences; healthcare top tips to rules about moving country with your pets – helping you to feel empowered when the time comes to make the big move.

Quick Poland Facts:

Population: 37.75 million (2021 estimate)
Official Language: Polish (de facto) spoken by the majority of the population, with Silesian, Kashubian and English also being spoken
GDP Per Capita: $17,999 USD (2021 estimate)
Random Fact: Poland is home to the world’s first upside-down house, situated in Szymbark, which is open for tourists to explore
Currency: Polish Zloty (zł). As of late 2023, £1 = 5.03 zł, €1 = 4.37 zł, $1 CAD = 2.93 zł, $1 AUD = 2.63 zł

Sections

1. Moving Costs to Poland From the UK

Here are some moving costs to Poland from the UK for a smaller move (1-2 bed flat). To get a bespoke quote, please use the quote form above.

	London	Manchester	Birmingham	Liverpool
From / To
Warsaw	£1360.00	£1480.00	£1416.00	£1440.00
Krakow	£1400.00	£1520.00	£1456.00	£1480.00
Gdansk	£1344.00	£1464.00	£1400.00	£1424.00
Wroclaw	£1320.00	£1440.00	£1376.00	£1400.00

2. How Long Does It Take To Move to Poland from the United Kingdom?

Now that we have an understanding of the costs associated with moving to Poland from the UK, let’s take a look at the average flight times into Warsaw from a few UK airports.

London Heathrow to Warsaw – 2 hours, 17 minutes – £85
London Gatwick to Warsaw – 2 hours, 16 minutes – £150
Edinburgh to Warsaw – 2 hours, 29 minutes – £115

This duration covers the flight time only, so additional time will need to be added to get you from the terminal to your final location.

3. Moving Restrictions to Poland from the UK

Moving from one country to take up residency in another will incur various restrictions – most notably, this comes in the form of visa requirements, which we will cover in the next section.

Gov.uk advises that you will need a valid passport to enter Poland, and if you wish to work in Poland, you’ll need a valid visa to do so as the UK is no longer in the EU. There are currently no COVID-19 restrictions but this may change and you’re advised to keep up-to-date on developments at the time of your travel.

Customs rules are in force in Poland, so you must ensure you don’t bring meat, milk or products containing those substances into EU countries. Some items may be exempt – such as some baby food and pet food which is needed for medical reasons – but it’s best to check this on a case-by-case basis before you travel to avoid complications.

4. Visa Requirements to Poland from the UK

You will need a valid UK passport to travel to Poland, and you are permitted to travel in the Schengen area – an area that allows people to travel freely between member countries without going through border controls, encompassing most EU countries – for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa.

If you are planning on moving to Poland, you will need to apply for a long-term visa, known as a D visa. Once you have this, you can then move and apply for temporary residence to stay in Poland for up to three years.

To become a full-time resident of Poland, you’ll need to have lived in the country for 5 years, or be married to a Polish national for at least three years. Once this is in place, you can then apply to have Polish citizenship.

To work in Poland, you will need a work visa or permit. Make sure you’re up-to-date on any latest updates on Gov.uk’s page on advice for travelling to Poland.

In all cases, you need to speak to a visa specialist to advise you on your individual circumstances and always keep up to date with the latest changes in the rules.

5. Cost of Living Differences in Poland

While this article is covering Poland as a whole, house prices will obviously vary from area to area but the figures below will give you an indication of what’s available at what price.

As a general note, it is estimated that the cost of living in Poland is 42.8% lower than that of the UK, with rent being around 64% lower.

Monthly Rental Prices in Poland:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: 3,900+ zł
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: 3,000+ zł
3 bedroomed flat in City Centre: 7,200+ zł
3 bedroomed flat outside the City Centre: 5,200+ zł

Poland Home Purchase Prices:

Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: 20,800+ zł
Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside the City: 13,100+ zł

Source: Numbeo

6. Tax Treaties in Poland

You will need to pay personal income tax in Poland, which spans multiple financial brackets. These can range from 17% to 32%, but can be subject to change, so these must be checked regularly.

The standard rate of corporate tax in Poland is 19%, and there are some tax incentives available for some industries. The standard rate of Value Added Tax (VAT) in Poland is 23%, but some items can have reduced rates of 8% and 5%.

There is an inheritance tax in Poland, as well as a gift tax. Real estate tax will have to be paid by property owners, which can vary depending on the property’s location.

If you are employed in Poland, you will pay into social security contributions, which help towards health insurance and pension insurance.

7. Working Rules in Poland

If you are not an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen, you will need a visa to allow you to work legally in Poland. There are several working visas available, according to VisaGuide:

Work permit A: this is given to those who have a job offer from a Polish business, and is given to you under the condition that you will get a residence permit
Work permit B: if you are a board member and staying in Poland for over six months, this is what you need
Work permit C: needed by individuals who have to work in Poland for their employer for longer than 30 days
Work permit D: if you’re working in export services in Poland, but not for a Polish business
Work permit S: if you are in Poland for agricultural, hunting, fishing or accommodation services on behalf of a foreign employer

To enable you to work in Poland, you must have:

A valid passport
Visa application form
Proof of travel insurance, and accommodation
Work permit
Employment letter
Police clearance certificate

If you are unsure about anything, make sure you check the most updated information on Gov.uk for the specific rules and requirements surrounding working in Poland.

8. Healthcare in Poland

While the UK benefits from the NHS, offering free healthcare to those who need it, as well as elective private healthcare for a fee, Poland has an insurance-based system whereby you will need to pay for your services or be charged for using state-provided healthcare, according to Gov.uk.

You can either take out voluntary private health insurance to cover you in the event of needing medical assistance while in Poland, or you can pay voluntary insurance contributions to the state’s health system – if you live and work in Poland, these contributions will likely be paid for you already through your employer via the National Health Fund (NFZ).

You will need to register as a resident of Poland if you want to take out Polish healthcare – this may be done for you by your employer, or you may need to do this yourself.

If you are unsure about your rights, talk to the Polish embassy or consulate in the UK to find out everything you need to know.

9. Rules Around Moving With Pets in Poland

Moving house includes lots of boxes of belongings – but it can also include some particularly important furry friends, too! If you need to move to Poland with a pet in tow, here’s what you need to know.

Gov.uk says that you must ensure that your pet – including cat, dog and ferret – has:

A microchip
Valid rabies vaccination
Animal health certificate or pet passport

Depending on the animal type, there will be other various restrictions. Cats will need tick treatment up to 48 hours before travel, while dogs will need tapeworm and tick treatment within the same timeframe – more information can be found at Pet Relocation.

At the time of writing, there are no banned breeds in Poland, but this can change and it’s best to keep up-to-date with official guidance at the time of your travel.

10. Similar Cities

Poland is considered to be most comparable to the Czech Republic, owing to cultural similarities, as well as a similar geographical landscape comprising mountains, hills and bodies of water.

Both locations have a rich cultural history – Poland is home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, while the Czech Republic isn’t – but both locations have historical cities with plenty of culture and traditions to absorb.

Poland and the Czech Republic both have moderately low cost of living, as opposed to other Western Europe countries.

11. Pros and Cons of Moving to Poland from the UK

Perhaps you’re moving for a new job opportunity, or just want to try out a completely different country and climate – whatever your reason for wanting to move from the UK to Poland, let’s take a look at some of the main pros and cons associated with moving.

Advantages of Moving from the UK to Poland	Disadvantages of Moving from the UK to Poland
Rich Cultural Heritage: Poland offers a rich history and cultural heritage with vibrant traditions and UNESCO World Heritage Sites	Language Barrier: Learning Polish may be essential for daily life, and a language barrier may exist, especially in rural areas
Cost of Living: The cost of living in Poland is generally lower than in the UK, providing potential savings in various aspects	Income Discrepancy: Salaries in Poland may be lower than in the UK, and income levels should be considered
Scenic Landscapes: Poland boasts diverse landscapes, including mountains and lakes, offering opportunities for outdoor activities	Bureaucratic Processes: Dealing with bureaucratic procedures in Poland may be complex and time-consuming
Growing Economy: Poland has experienced significant economic growth, providing job opportunities in sectors like IT, finance and manufacturing	Infrastructure Challenges: Some areas may have less developed amenities, and transportation infrastructure may vary

Whatever you decide, you must understand the legal factors affecting your move – be sure to look at Gov.uk for all the information you need.