About How to Poland
How to Poland was created to bridge the information gap for English-speaking expatriates navigating life in Poland. As one of Europe's most dynamic countries, Poland offers incredible opportunities for work, study, and life, but the language barrier and complex bureaucracy can make the transition challenging. Our mission is to provide the reliable, practical information you need to succeed in your Polish journey.
Our Mission
To provide independent, honest, and practical information for English-speaking expatriates navigating life in Poland, grounded in real-life experience and thorough research.
Why We Started This
Let's be honest - moving to Poland can be confusing as hell. We've been there. Standing in a bank trying to explain why you need an account without a PESEL, googling "how to register with ZUS" at 2 AM, or trying to figure out why your NFZ card isn't working at the doctor's office.
Poland is an amazing country with incredible opportunities, but the bureaucracy can be... challenging. Most official information is only available in Polish, and even when there's an English version, it's often confusing or incomplete.
So we created this site to share what we've learned the hard way. Real experiences, actual solutions, and the kind of practical advice that would have saved us months of frustration when we first arrived.
What We Do
We fact-check everything against official sources like gov.pl, ZUS.pl, and NFZ.pl. When something is based on our experience (not official policy), we tell you. Polish regulations change constantly, so we always recommend double-checking with official sources for your specific situation.
Every guide includes links to the actual Polish government websites you need. No more hunting through google translate trying to find the right form on the Urząd Miasta website.
Polish bureaucracy is complicated enough without adding unnecessary jargon. We explain things step-by-step, include screenshots when helpful, and always assume you're starting from zero knowledge.
We focus on the stuff that actually trips people up - like why your bank wants a different document than what the website says, or how to handle tax filing when you moved mid-year.
Our writers have actually gone through these processes. We share the shortcuts we discovered, the mistakes we made, and the workarounds that actually work in real life.
When we recommend a bank or service, it's because we genuinely think it's good for expats. We'll always tell you about any affiliate relationships, and they never influence what we write.
The Stuff We Actually Help With
Here's what we focus on - the day-to-day stuff that can make or break your experience in Poland:
Comprehensive guides on opening Polish bank accounts, understanding the banking system, and managing finances as an expat.
Clear explanations of Poland's dual healthcare system, NFZ public insurance, and private insurance options for different situations.
Practical information about Polish tax obligations, ZUS contributions, and legal requirements for foreign residents.
Step-by-step guidance on visa applications, residence permits, and immigration procedures for different types of stays.
Calculators, checklists, and practical tools to help manage Polish bureaucracy and daily life decisions.
Insights into Polish culture, language learning resources, and tips for successful integration into Polish society.
Official Polish Websites You'll Actually Need
Bookmark these - you'll be visiting them more than you'd like:
Government & Legal
- Gov.pl - Main government portal (Polish only, but has some English)
- Foreigners Office - Residence permits, visas, work permits
- Podatki.gov.pl - Tax information (surprisingly has decent English sections)
Pro tip: Use Google Translate's browser extension when navigating these sites. The auto-translate isn't perfect, but it's usually good enough to find what you need.
What You Can Expect From Us
We'll keep it updated: Polish laws change frequently (seriously, it's annoying). We do our best to keep things current, but always double-check official sources for the latest info.
Actual step-by-step help: Not just "go to the bank" but "bring documents X, Y, Z, ask for this specific thing, and here's what to do when they inevitably ask for something else."
Real feedback matters: If you find something that doesn't work or discover a better way, let us know. This stuff evolves based on what actually works in practice.
No sneaky BS: If we get a commission from recommending something, we'll tell you. Our recommendations are based on what we'd actually use ourselves.
Reality Check (The Legal Stuff)
Look, Polish bureaucracy changes faster than Warsaw weather. We do our best to keep everything current, but always check the official government websites or call the relevant office before making any major decisions. Don't blame us if the tax rules changed last week.
We're expats sharing what we've learned, not lawyers or tax advisors. If you need professional advice (especially for complex tax or legal situations), talk to a qualified professional who knows current Polish law.
Use this site as your starting point, not your ending point.
Ready to Start Your Polish Journey?
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