The Land of The Masurian Lake District,

The Carpathian Mountains & Bieszczady National Park

Information on Relocating to Poland

• The capital city of Poland is Warsaw with about 1.7 million people. The political centre is in Warsaw where the President resides. Poland is a Republic.

• Language: There language spoken is Polish. The TV programs they have six channels all in Polish. Through satellite more channels are available.

• Population: The population is about 38.1 million people - 97.6% are Polish, 0.4% German, 0.1% Belarusian, 0.1% Ukrainian, 2.7% other.

• Expat areas: Popular areas for the Expat community are Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk, and Lodz.

• Housing: Housing is unexpectedly expensive in Poland especially in Warsaw. Renting is a usually a must since you can only buy land if you have the Polish nationality. It is possible to buy an apartment but you cannot apply for any tax breaks that usually accompany these purchases for locals and may make it very expensive. There is an ample supply of Western-standard apartments and houses. A family has plenty of choice within a chosen residential district. Choosing a district usually depends on the fact if there are any children who need certain schools, since living close to school is important.

• Cost of housing: Varies from area to area and the size of the apartment or house and you'll pay anything from Euro 500-Euro 5000 and higher. The local currency is the Zloty.

• Schools: There are only a few International Schools in Poland. Many European families educate their children within their home country under the care of the mother with the father returning home at weekends. Places in the schools are limited but preference is given to the expatriate child above the Polish nationals. In Warsaw there is a choice of schools offering British or American curriculum. The demand is high for places in these schools, so contacting the school to register the children for a place should be done as early as possible in the relocation process. Second-language students are expected to take a language test to enter the schools.

• Transportation: Poland’s transportation system is comprehensive and efficient. Plains, trains, trams, and bus routes carry passengers into every corner of the cities and though the new metro system is still under development, the one line now available allows swift access from the southern districts to the city center in Warsaw.

• Banking: The Monday-Friday banking hours in Warsaw vary between 8.00 am and 7.00 pm depending on the bank. During the weekend the banks are open between 8.00 am and 3.00 pm, again the hours depend on the specific bank.

• Shopping: Generally shops are open Monday-Friday from 10.00 am - 6.00/8.00 pm. Saturday from 10.00 am until 1.00/ 4.00 pm. Night shops' open 24 hours. Supermarkets and department stores are usually open daily 10.00 am – 7.00 pm.

• Climate: Poland has a moderate climate with both maritime and continental elements. This is due to humid Atlantic air which collides over its territory with dry air from the Eurasian interior. Generally, in Northern and Western Poland the climate is predominantly maritime, with gentle, humid winters and cool, rainy summers, while the Eastern part of the country has a distinct continental climate with harsh winters and hot, dry summers. The warmest month is July and the coldest one is January. The best time to visit Poland is between May and September when it tends to be warm and sunny. September is the beginning of an exceptionally fine spell known as "golden Polish summer". Average temperatures in Poland are in the  winter time from -15°C (5°F) to  +3°C (37°F) and during the summer from 17°C (63°F) to 30°C (86°F).

• Culture: Poland offers a variety of cultural experiences. Those interested in high culture will enjoy the renowned music festivals (Wratislavia Cantans, Warsaw Autumn). Polish museums display remarkable art collections - masterpieces including Leonardo da Vinci's Lady with an Ermine (The Family Czartoryski's Museum in Krakow); Vit Stoss's carved wooden altar (Saint Mary's Church in Krakow) and The Last Judgment by Hans Memling (The National Museum in Gdansk). Ethnographic museums and old village museums (Skansens) also hold attractive collections. The panorama of Polish culture is completed by local festivals like: The International Book Fair, Concerts of Chopin's music, Lazienki Park in Warsaw,  Malta, the International Theatre Festival, The Mozart Festival, The International Festival of Organ Music, The Festival of Jewish Culture, The Knights' Tournaments, The International Festival of Street Theatre, The International Festival of the Mountain Region Folklore, International Music Festival, Festival of Contemporary Music, etc.

• Public holidays: January 1st-New Years Day; Easter Sunday & Monday-(dates vary); May 1st-Labor day; May 3rd-Constitution Day; Corpus Christi-(end of May, June - date varies); August 15th-Assumption day; November 1st-All Saint’s Day; November 11th-Independence Day; December 25th & 26th-Christmas days.