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Get practical advice from people who made the move.
Banking, visas, taxes, and everything you need to know.
Discover what life is like in Poland's most popular expat destinations
Moving to Poland is easier than most newcomers expect, but the first few months come with a checklist of practical tasks: opening a bank account, getting a PESEL number, registering your address (meldunek), understanding your payslip, and signing up for healthcare. HowToPoland brings all of these steps together in plain English, written for expats, international students, and remote workers relocating to Warsaw, Krakow, Wroclaw, Gdansk, and beyond.
Poland offers a low cost of living compared to Western Europe, a fast-growing economy, and major tech and business hubs. Whether you are comparing the best bank accounts for foreigners, working out your take-home pay with our gross-to-net salary calculator, learning how much you need to earn with the cost of living calculator, or figuring out ZUS social insurance and Polish taxes, you will find a step-by-step guide for each.
Beyond the paperwork, we cover everyday life: getting a work visa or residence permit, renting an apartment, using BLIK payments, navigating public transport, and learning enough Polish to get by. Everything is kept up to date for 2026.
Yes. Most major Polish banks let foreigners open a personal account with a passport and proof of address. Digital banks like Revolut and some traditional banks such as VeloBank allow you to open an account fully online, while banks like PKO BP, mBank, and BNP Paribas may require a short branch visit. A PESEL number helps but is not always mandatory for a basic account.
A PESEL is Poland's national identification number and you will need it for most official processes: registering for healthcare (NFZ), filing taxes, signing a long-term rental, or using government e-services. You can apply for a PESEL for free at your local city office (urząd gminy) once you have an address in Poland.
A single person can live comfortably in Krakow or Wroclaw from around 3,000-4,000 PLN per month, while Warsaw is higher at roughly 4,500-6,000 PLN including rent. Costs depend heavily on the city, whether you share an apartment, and your lifestyle. Use our cost of living calculator to estimate a monthly budget for your situation.
Employees pay personal income tax (PIT) at 12% up to 120,000 PLN per year and 32% above that, plus ZUS social insurance contributions. Tax residents (people who spend more than 183 days in Poland) are taxed on worldwide income. Our gross-to-net salary calculator shows exactly what you take home after tax and ZUS.
You can manage daily life and most expat-focused services in English, especially in larger cities and international companies. However, many official documents, government offices, and smaller businesses operate in Polish, so learning the basics makes life significantly easier. Our Learn Polish section covers survival phrases, grammar, and vocabulary for newcomers.
EU/EEA citizens need a valid passport or ID card and can register their stay after arrival. Non-EU citizens typically need a visa or residence permit tied to work, study, or family, plus a passport, proof of purpose (job offer or university acceptance), health insurance, and proof of funds. Requirements vary by nationality and purpose of stay.
