About Poland

Everyone has their own story, but many of us are united by circumstances that brought us to a new country, where we must build a new life as quickly as possible. We hope that our portal Expaterra can help you!
Poland: a land of opportunities and warm hospitality, where everyone can find their home amidst picturesque landscapes and rich cultural heritage.

Culture and Lifestyle

The culture and lifestyle in Poland are full of vibrant traditions, friendliness, and diverse leisure opportunities. Poland, with its rich history and cultural heritage, offers unique experiences for foreigners. Poles are known for their hospitality and warmth. No matter which corner of the country you find yourself in, locals are always ready to help, even if they don't speak your language. It's an open and dynamic society that values family and cultural values.

Poland is one of the most religious countries in Europe, where the majority of the population practices Catholicism. The biggest holidays are Easter and Christmas, when families gather together to celebrate. The Catholic faith has a significant influence on the country's cultural and social life.

Polish cuisine is diverse and rich in flavors. Traditional dishes include pierogi (dumplings) - dumplings with various fillings, from meat to potatoes and cheese; bigos - stewed cabbage with meat and sausage; żurek - sour soup made with rye sourdough, served with sausage and egg. Poles love to gather around generously laid tables, sharing food and drinks, such as local beer and vodka.

In Poland, great attention is paid to cultural events and entertainment. In the capital and other major cities, festivals and cultural events are regularly held, attracting both locals and tourists, who come to see world celebrities visiting the country.

Poland ranks high in a number of global rankings, confirming its significance in various fields:

Quality of life and living comfort: Poland is among the top ten countries in the world rankings for living comfort, employment, and citizenship benefits. The Polish passport provides visa-free access to 124 countries and simplified visa procedures in an additional 49 countries.

Education: Poland holds high positions in educational system rankings. Polish universities such as the University of Warsaw and Jagiellonian University regularly appear in international rankings, confirming the high quality of education in the country. According to the latest Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) study, Poland ranked 61st among participating countries and regions for 15-year-old students' proficiency in math, reading, and science.

Economy and employment: Poland attracts labor migrants due to its low unemployment rate, which in some cities is as low as 1% (for example, in Poznan). This contributes to strengthening the economy and creating comfortable conditions for living and working.

Cost of living: Poland has a relatively low cost of living compared to other European countries. For instance, real estate rental and daily expenses are significantly lower here than in countries like Germany and France.

Cybersecurity: Poland ranks 6th in the global cybersecurity ranking according to the Cyber Defense Index 2022/23, published by MIT Technology Review. This high position indicates the country's strong stance in cyber defense and information security.

Military strength: In the military strength ranking for 2024, Poland holds the 21st position among 145 countries, according to the Global Firepower Index. This indicates the country's significant capabilities in the defense sector and its ability to maintain a high readiness of its armed forces.

Poland also ranks low in some global ratings, reflecting certain social and economic aspects:

Bureaucracy and administrative barriers: Poland faces issues with bureaucracy. Immigrants often complain about the difficulties and delays in processing documents, permits, and other certificates. The work of state bodies is characterized by sluggishness, creating additional challenges for applicants.

Healthcare System: Despite quality healthcare, foreigners encounter difficulties in the Polish healthcare system. The documented tiered medical assistance system remains unclear to many newcomers, complicating the receipt of necessary treatment.

Political Stability and Corruption: Poland also faces challenges in the political sphere. In recent years, the political situation in the country has been characterized by instability and contradictions among the ruling elite. This causes concern among the population and observers of political processes in the country.

Freedom of Press and Expression: Issues of freedom of the press and expression also remain relevant for Poland. Political changes and reforms often lead to increased control over the media, which draws criticism from international organizations and human rights activists.

These aspects point to existing problems that the country continues to work on in its efforts to improve its standings in international rankings and provide more comfortable conditions for its citizens and immigrants.

Local Language

The Polish language is an important aspect of Polish culture and the key to a deeper understanding of the country and its people, although it may seem challenging to a foreigner due to its unique phonetic and grammatical features.

   - The Polish language is rich in sounds that may be unfamiliar to speakers of other languages, especially due to its hissing and whistling sounds. 

   - Stress in Polish words almost always falls on the penultimate syllable, which differs from many other European languages.

   - Polish has a complex grammatical structure, including seven cases that change the endings of words depending on their role in a sentence. 

   - The Polish language also has three genders (masculine, feminine, and neuter), which affect the forms of nouns, adjectives, and verbs.

However, knowledge of the Polish language will help you better communicate with locals, make friends, and feel part of the community. Many Poles, especially the older generation, may not be proficient in English, so knowing Polish will be useful in everyday situations, such as shopping, visiting a doctor, and public services. Proficiency in the Polish language can expand your career prospects in Poland, especially if you plan to work in a local company or interact with Polish clients.

There is currently a fairly large selection for foreigners to learn the Polish language – individual lessons with a teacher, group classes in courses, both online and offline. Interacting with native speakers brings invaluable benefits: join language exchanges or find a practice partner to improve your conversation skills; participate in local events, clubs, and associations to practice the language in an informal setting.

Learning the Polish language can be a challenge, but also an exciting journey. It will help you better understand and integrate into Polish society, as well as open up new opportunities in both personal and professional life.

Culture and Lifestyle

The culture and lifestyle in Poland are full of vibrant traditions, friendliness, and diverse leisure opportunities. Poland, with its rich history and cultural heritage, offers unique experiences for foreigners. Poles are known for their hospitality and warmth. No matter which corner of the country you find yourself in, locals are always ready to help, even if they don't speak your language. It's an open and dynamic society that values family and cultural values.

Poland is one of the most religious countries in Europe, where the majority of the population practices Catholicism. The biggest holidays are Easter and Christmas, when families gather together to celebrate. The Catholic faith has a significant influence on the country's cultural and social life.

Polish cuisine is diverse and rich in flavors. Traditional dishes include pierogi (dumplings) - dumplings with various fillings, from meat to potatoes and cheese; bigos - stewed cabbage with meat and sausage; żurek - sour soup made with rye sourdough, served with sausage and egg. Poles love to gather around generously laid tables, sharing food and drinks, such as local beer and vodka.

In Poland, great attention is paid to cultural events and entertainment. In the capital and other major cities, festivals and cultural events are regularly held, attracting both locals and tourists, who come to see world celebrities visiting the country.

Poland ranks high in a number of global rankings, confirming its significance in various fields:

Quality of life and living comfort: Poland is among the top ten countries in the world rankings for living comfort, employment, and citizenship benefits. The Polish passport provides visa-free access to 124 countries and simplified visa procedures in an additional 49 countries.

Education: Poland holds high positions in educational system rankings. Polish universities such as the University of Warsaw and Jagiellonian University regularly appear in international rankings, confirming the high quality of education in the country. According to the latest Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) study, Poland ranked 61st among participating countries and regions for 15-year-old students' proficiency in math, reading, and science.

Economy and employment: Poland attracts labor migrants due to its low unemployment rate, which in some cities is as low as 1% (for example, in Poznan). This contributes to strengthening the economy and creating comfortable conditions for living and working.

Cost of living: Poland has a relatively low cost of living compared to other European countries. For instance, real estate rental and daily expenses are significantly lower here than in countries like Germany and France.

Cybersecurity: Poland ranks 6th in the global cybersecurity ranking according to the Cyber Defense Index 2022/23, published by MIT Technology Review. This high position indicates the country's strong stance in cyber defense and information security.

Military strength: In the military strength ranking for 2024, Poland holds the 21st position among 145 countries, according to the Global Firepower Index. This indicates the country's significant capabilities in the defense sector and its ability to maintain a high readiness of its armed forces.

Poland also ranks low in some global ratings, reflecting certain social and economic aspects:

Bureaucracy and administrative barriers: Poland faces issues with bureaucracy. Immigrants often complain about the difficulties and delays in processing documents, permits, and other certificates. The work of state bodies is characterized by sluggishness, creating additional challenges for applicants.

Healthcare System: Despite quality healthcare, foreigners encounter difficulties in the Polish healthcare system. The documented tiered medical assistance system remains unclear to many newcomers, complicating the receipt of necessary treatment.

Political Stability and Corruption: Poland also faces challenges in the political sphere. In recent years, the political situation in the country has been characterized by instability and contradictions among the ruling elite. This causes concern among the population and observers of political processes in the country.

Freedom of Press and Expression: Issues of freedom of the press and expression also remain relevant for Poland. Political changes and reforms often lead to increased control over the media, which draws criticism from international organizations and human rights activists.

These aspects point to existing problems that the country continues to work on in its efforts to improve its standings in international rankings and provide more comfortable conditions for its citizens and immigrants.

Local Language

The Polish language is an important aspect of Polish culture and the key to a deeper understanding of the country and its people, although it may seem challenging to a foreigner due to its unique phonetic and grammatical features.

   - The Polish language is rich in sounds that may be unfamiliar to speakers of other languages, especially due to its hissing and whistling sounds. 

   - Stress in Polish words almost always falls on the penultimate syllable, which differs from many other European languages.

   - Polish has a complex grammatical structure, including seven cases that change the endings of words depending on their role in a sentence. 

   - The Polish language also has three genders (masculine, feminine, and neuter), which affect the forms of nouns, adjectives, and verbs.

However, knowledge of the Polish language will help you better communicate with locals, make friends, and feel part of the community. Many Poles, especially the older generation, may not be proficient in English, so knowing Polish will be useful in everyday situations, such as shopping, visiting a doctor, and public services. Proficiency in the Polish language can expand your career prospects in Poland, especially if you plan to work in a local company or interact with Polish clients.

There is currently a fairly large selection for foreigners to learn the Polish language – individual lessons with a teacher, group classes in courses, both online and offline. Interacting with native speakers brings invaluable benefits: join language exchanges or find a practice partner to improve your conversation skills; participate in local events, clubs, and associations to practice the language in an informal setting.

Learning the Polish language can be a challenge, but also an exciting journey. It will help you better understand and integrate into Polish society, as well as open up new opportunities in both personal and professional life.