Living In Poland: Pros And Cons

Is Poland a good place to live?

In this guide, we’ll explore the pros and cons of living in Poland, so that you can learn more about life in Poland and decide if it’s the right place for you.

Poland is surrounded by Lithuania, Slovakia, and Ukraine, all known for their low cost of living, but Poland attracts more expats than the rest.

Almost half a million foreigners choose to lay their roots in Poland and live there long term.

Whether it’s the exciting city life or the quiet rural towns that entice them to this corner of Europe, many agree that Poland is one of the best countries for expats and remote workers. 

In this post, we’ll dive into the pros and cons of living in Poland to give you an insight into what to expect.

Advantages Of Living In Poland

Many people wax lyrical about life in Poland and have an endless list of advantages.

While the benefits of living anywhere will be different for everyone, we’ve collated the biggest advantages of living in Poland so that you can see if it’s the right fit for you.

Low Cost Of Living

Compared to many European countries, Poland is one of the most affordable. You can live comfortably on around $1,200 per month. This amount will cover your accommodation, transportation, and living expenses.

An apartment will be your largest expense and will set you back approximately $700 if you choose to live in a mid-range area. In a more exclusive area, you will pay close to $900.

Food is inexpensive, and a meal out costs just a few dollars. You can expect to pay around $100 for all of your utility bills for the month, including heating, electricity, and internet.

Public transportation is the cheapest way of getting around, and a monthly pass costs approximately $30.

Because of the low cost of living in Poland, it is an accessible location for most digital nomads or expats earning a western wage outside the country.

It’s also a great place to settle in for a while if you’re trying to save simultaneously.

Stunning Landscapes

The eastern European country is best known for its big cities, such as Kraków and Warsaw.

However, one of the major advantages of living in Poland is experiencing its different landscapes. From city skylines to lakes, forests, and mountains, you can see it all in Poland.

Its diverse country scape means that you can go skiing, hiking, and even sea kayaking along the stretch of coast that runs along the top of the country, which is one of the main benefits of living in Poland.

Rich History

The history of Poland is long and in parts, difficult. The most notable period of hardship was during WWII when the country was invaded by the Nazi regime by order of Adolf Hitler.

At this time, the country was struck down from two sides, as the Soviet Union also invaded Poland within the same month, causing the country to be the first to fall in the devastating war.

Today, you can learn about these events throughout the country. While they may be difficult to hear about, it is important to remember this trying time in human history.

You can visit war memorials, as well as the infamous Auschwitz concentration camp, which is a chilling yet historically fascinating landmark.

Delicious Cuisine

When it comes to Polish cuisine, there are plenty of delicious dishes to choose from.

One of the most popular and widely loved specialties is pierogi, which are dumplings that can be filled with a variety of different ingredients, including potato, cheese, and meat.

Other traditional dishes include kielbasa, which is a traditional smoked sausage, and placki ziemniaczane, which are potato pancakes, flavored with onion. While some people might find Polish food to be a bit heavy, there’s no denying that it’s packed with flavor.

And if you want to try a slightly more unique dish, there’s always borscht — a soup made with beetroots that is often served with a dollop of sour cream. All in all, there’s no shortage of local dishes to try.

Vibrant Entertainment Scene

From nightclubs pumping out dance music at 3 AM to art exhibitions and concerts, there is no lack of things to do in Poland. During the summers, there are plenty of music festivals held across the country.

There are also several festivals held throughout the year for cultural events, such as the Baltic Days of Jewish Culture event, which features Hebrew music, poetry, and literature.

If organized fun isn’t your thing, you can rely on mother nature to entertain you instead. With vast amounts of unspoiled nature, there is a plethora of outdoor activities you can take part in throughout the year, including hiking, biking, and kayaking.

Regardless of your interests, you won’t get bored in Poland. 

Disadvantages Of Living In Poland

Alongside all the pros, there are also several cons to living in Poland. There are drawbacks to every country, and everyone has different priorities and must-haves.

That being said, you should consider these disadvantages and how they might affect you before booking your flight.

Poor Weather 

Poland has a lot of great things going for it, but unfortunately, the weather is not one.

While parts of the country can reach 30 degrees Celsius in the summer months, these warm conditions are infrequent and short-lived. For the majority of the year, Poland is gray and gloomy.

The country has an average year-round temperature of between 6 and 8 degrees Celsius, and in the heart of winter, that can drop to -9 degrees Celsius.

You can enjoy the fairytale setting that a sprinkling of snow brings between December and February, however, for the rest of the year, you can expect more cloudy skies and rain showers than sunbathing.

Stressful Lifestyle

Another disadvantage of living in Poland is that it’s stressful. While many countries around the world have got a firm grasp on slowing down and relaxing, the Poles have not. Like many other western countries, you’ll find that Poland’s work-life balance is off, with many staying in the office well past 5 PM.

The biggest driver of this work-heavy lifestyle is Poland’s history of high unemployment levels. In recent years, almost 20% of the population has been out of work.

Despite the current low levels of unemployment, which hover around 6%, if a Pole has a job, you best believe they need to work hard to keep it.

Everyone is considered replaceable, which means there is a lot of overworking and burnout.

In saying that, the Polish community is very focused on family life and traditions, meaning that there is still space reserved for dinner with loved ones and time spent together on the weekends.

Difficult Language 

Polish is a Slavic language and is one of the most difficult tongues in the world for English speakers to learn. Slavic languages are widely spoken in Eastern Europe, in countries such as Ukraine, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.

The Polish language uses a Roman alphabet — the same alphabet as English — which makes it a little easier to make sense of.

However, there are additional letters added. Words can be difficult to pronounce even if you’ve got a good grasp of their meaning.

This is because they are often made up of a long sequence of consonants strung together with very few vowels.

As an English speaker, it can be tricky even to consider how to pronounce words like this. There are also three genders in Polish, which adds another layer of complexity.

It’s been estimated that it takes approximately 1,100 hours of study to master Polish, which means you won’t land in the country and immediately become a Polish-speaking whizz.

Bureaucracy 

Poland is ruled by a bureaucracy, which is terrible news for those wishing to live there for a while.

While bureaucracies work well in some countries, such as Switzerland and Iceland, Poland ranks alongside Mexico and Turkey as having one of the worst bureaucracies in the world.

This means that it’s difficult to do anything official in the country. If you’re thinking of setting up a business in Poland, it’s practically impossible. There are endless rolls of paperwork to fill in and many hoops to jump through.

Likewise, if you wish to obtain a job in the country, you’ll find it incredibly difficult to do so, although some roles are easier for English speakers, such as teaching.

All in all, if you move to this corner of Europe, you can expect any official business to be frustrating.

Final Thoughts On Life In Poland

Now you’ve read all about the pros and cons of living in Poland, does it seem like the right place for you?

If you’re interested in art and culture and wish to live on a lower budget than elsewhere in the world, Poland could be an excellent option for you. 

If, on the other hand, warm weather and relaxation appeal to you, you might wish to keep searching for your dream location.

If you want to compare Poland with other destinations, check out these posts:

• Pros and cons of living in Vietnam
• Pros and cons of living in France
• Pros and cons of living in Malaysia