WINNER 2022': Website Category - MOST USER FRIENDLY WEBSITE
WARSAW, POLAND
Things to know
about Warsaw
Poland's Dynamic Capital.
Warsaw, the capital city of Poland, is situated in the east-central part of the country, known for its rich historical legacy and vibrant cultural life. It's the largest city in Poland and serves as the country's political, economic, and cultural hub.
Warsaw's economy is diverse and robust, with sectors ranging from IT, automotive, finance to manufacturing and service industries. The city's history is deeply intertwined with its resilient spirit, symbolized by its phoenix-like resurrection after the extensive damage it suffered in World War II.
The modern evolution of Warsaw began in the 19th century with the industrial revolution. Its strategic location, rich cultural heritage, and status as the capital city made it a vital hub for commerce and industry. Despite the challenges of World War II, Warsaw rebounded and continued to grow.
Today, Warsaw is a significant economic powerhouse, contributing significantly to Poland's GDP. It's a crucial center for industries like information technology, automotive, logistics, and finance, in addition to its traditional sectors.
Warsaw is also a city of green spaces and cultural landmarks. It boasts over 800 hectares of green areas, including numerous parks and squares. The city's green lung, the Łazienki Park, is one of the largest urban parks in Europe, covering over 76 hectares.
Among the must-visit places in Warsaw are the historic Royal Castle, the modern Copernicus Science Centre, and the impressive Palace of Culture and Science, a symbol of the city's post-war rebirth. The city's vibrant music and arts scene is showcased in events like the annual Warsaw Film Festival, one of the leading film events in Central Europe.
At the heart of the city, you'll find the charming Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with its colorful facades, quaint streets, and unique atmosphere making it a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike.
Warsaw is a city that seamlessly blends its historical past with a dynamic and forward-looking present, making it a fascinating destination to live, work, and explore.
Cultural Epicenter of Eastern Poland
Home to several universities, numerous theaters, the renowned Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, multiple libraries, and the National Museum, Warsaw stands as a vibrant cultural hub in eastern Poland.
The city is a visual delight with its blend of architectural styles, expansive parks, and charming squares. The iconic Palace of Culture and Science and the Royal Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, are among the city's most famous landmarks.
Warsaw offers a diverse range of experiences, whether you're seeking an active holiday, a romantic getaway, or a leisurely trip. The city's attractions are sure to keep you engaged and entertained.
If it's your first visit to Warsaw, don't miss the city's Old Town with its unique mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture. The city's rich historical heritage is beautifully juxtaposed with its modern developments, creating a unique urban landscape.
One of the city's modern highlights is the Warsaw Spire, a sleek skyscraper that stands as a symbol of Warsaw's dynamic growth. This tower, with its striking design, pays homage to the city's resilient spirit while pointing towards its future.
After exploring the city, it's time to indulge in Warsaw's culinary scene. Be sure to try the local specialty, "pierogi", a beloved national dish. You can find these delicious dumplings in many local restaurants, offering an authentic taste of Polish cuisine.
As for the cultural calendar, Warsaw hosts a variety of exciting events throughout the year. These include the Warsaw Film Festival, one of the leading film events in Central Europe, the Warsaw Autumn, an international festival of contemporary music, and the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity, the biggest charity event in Poland. Each of these events contributes to the rich cultural tapestry of Warsaw, making it a city that truly celebrates arts and culture.
How does Warsaw Compare?
The average cost of living in Warsaw is €1,050, placing it among the top 30% of the most expensive cities globally, ranked 2790th out of 9294 in a recent global list, and 1st out of 79 in Poland.
The median after-tax salary is approximately €1,030, which is sufficient to cover living expenses for 1 month. Warsaw is ranked 708th (TOP 8%) in the list of best places to live in the world and 1st best city to live in Poland.
With an estimated population of around 1.8 million (a 0.10% increase from 2021), Warsaw is the largest city in Poland.
A one-bedroom apartment in the City Centre will likely cost you around €750 per month, while choosing to live outside the centre could save you some money, costing around €550.
For apartments with more than one bedroom, expect to pay roughly double the above prices.
Monthly utilities for an 85m2 apartment, including Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, and Garbage collections, are likely to be around €220-€230.
Internet costs are approximately €15-20 per month for a service up to 60 Mbps.
On average, a single person can spend around €100-€130 a month on groceries, which is considered quite affordable compared to other cities worldwide. This will cover all your supermarket needs such as fruit, vegetables, dairy products, and drinking water.
City transport in Warsaw is well-developed, modern, and inexpensive.
A monthly ticket for all regular connections costs approximately PLN 110 (Approx. €24), with petrol prices being considerably lower than in some regions, at around €1.10 per litre.
Using taxis in Warsaw is also quite affordable! So much so, that there is no need for Uber here. However, if you want to save some money, you can also learn to use the "urban bike" scheme. Using it up to 15 minutes is free of charge, which is enough to get you to many places.
Cost of Living
in Warsaw
In line with the income tax law of Poland, an individual who is considered a Polish tax resident is liable to pay Polish income tax on their worldwide income. This scenario is referred to as having unlimited tax liability. Conversely, if an individual is not a tax resident in Poland, they are considered to have limited Polish tax liability, meaning they are only liable for Polish income tax on income that is earned within Poland.
An individual is deemed a resident of Poland if they fulfill at least one of the following conditions:
-
The individual has stronger personal or economic ties with Poland (centre of vital interests in Poland), OR
-
The individual spends more than 183 days in a fiscal year within Polish territory.
Only one of these conditions needs to be met for an individual to be considered a tax resident of Poland. The official currency of Poland is the Polish zloty (PLN).
Eligibility to Work in Warsaw
Considering a relocation to Warsaw? Uncertain about what awaits you? Dive into Logical Recruitment Partners' comprehensive guide to life and work in Poland!
Non-EU citizens can migrate to Poland for work via five distinct types of work permits, each with a specific duration. Citizens of the EU/EEA or Switzerland don't require a visa to enter Poland. They can traverse the border with a valid travel document such as an ID card or a passport. If their stay is less than three months, they don't need to register their stay as foreigners, but they must do so if their stay surpasses three months.
Students from non-EU/EEA member countries should apply for an educational visa through the Polish consulate or embassy in their home country.
Step 1 – EU/EEA citizens: register your stay in Poland EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens planning to study and stay in Warsaw for a period exceeding 3 months must register their stay within the first three months of their stay in Poland.
Where to register?
Mazovian Province Governor’s Office in Warsaw Department for Foreigners ul. Pankiewicza 3 Warsaw tel.: 22 6954559
Documents required to register the stay:
Application for registering the residence completed in Polish (1 original + 3 photocopies), Student status statement (issued by the Dean’s office at your faculty), Proof of medical insurance (e.g. European Health Insurance Card – EHIC or other), Proof of sufficient financial funds to live in Poland (it may be a certification from the university of origin about the Erasmus grant or a bank statement), Photocopy of a valid travel document (e.g. an ID card or a passport) + original document to show for verification). Fees: free of charge
All documents submitted in foreign languages should be translated into Polish by a sworn translator. You may access the list of Polish sworn translators at: https://ms.gov.pl/en/translators/
After the registration, the EU/EEA citizens will be given a certificate of registration of residence.
Step 2 – EU/EEA citizens: register your residence EU/EEA and Swiss citizens are required to register their new place of residence in Warsaw within 30 days.
Where to register? Residents’ Service Centre ul. Marszałkowska 77/79 (1st floor, desks No 15, 16, 17) Warsaw
Documents required:
Registration Form (it should be completed and signed by the student and then by the dormitory manager. If a room or a flat is rented instead, the rental agreement is required as well), Valid ID card or passport, Registration of residence of a European Union citizen from the Department for Foreigners (see Step 1). The five different types of visas, requirements, steps, and benefits to obtain a Poland work permit are elaborated below.
Types of work permit in Poland If you are a non-EU citizen and wish to work in Warsaw, you will need a work permit to enter the country. The validity of a work permit is for three years. The work permit is valid for only one job, and you can use it to perform only those tasks mentioned in your application form. If you are changing careers, you must apply for a new work permit.
Poland offers five work visa types; these include:
Type A – If you find employment based on an employment contract or civil law contract with an employer with an office registered in Poland. This is the most common work permit.
Type B – This work permit is valid if you are a board member residing in Poland for a total period exceeding six months within 12 subsequent months.
Type C – You can apply for this work permit if you are sent to Poland by aforeign employer for more than 30 days in a calendar year to work for the foreign employer’s subsidiary or branch office.
Type D – You are eligible for this visa if a foreign employer temporarily sends you to work in export services. The foreign employer must not have a branch or subsidiary in Poland.
Type E – You can apply for this visa if you take up work-related tasks that do not fall into the above four categories.
Requirements to acquire Poland work permit The employer must provide the necessary documents to acquire a work permit on behalf of a foreign employee.
These documents include:
A completed application form Proof of the paid application fees Current records of the employer’s economic activity Proof of applicants health insurance A deed for the company Copies with relevant travel information on the applicant’s passport pages A copy of a statement regarding profits or losses sustained by the employer Confirmation and evidence of the legal status of the employer from the National Court Register A copy of a contract following the service being provided in Poland
Steps to apply for Poland work permit: The employer has to apply for a work permit on your behalf. Let‘s assume that you have found an employer willing to hire you and that your stay is legalized (either on a visa you have obtained or on a residence permit).
Your potential employer must fill out a work permit application containing the name of the company you are recruiting and your future job description within this company to get a work permit.
If you have succeeded in getting a job offer in Poland, then your employer has to apply for a work permit on your behalf.
Here are a few necessary steps to apply for the work permit:
Step-1: Conducting a Labor Market Test An employer must conduct a labor market examination before applying for a foreign work visa. This test aims to see if any Polish citizens or other EU citizens are qualified to fill the role. These people take precedence over foreign nationals. If no qualified job seekers are available, the employer can apply for a work visa on your behalf.
Step-2: The Application Process The employer must include documents confirming that the following conditions are met with the application:
Conditions of employment meet all applicable employment regulations, including articles of the Labour Code. According to the Voivodeship Office, remuneration should not be 30% lower than the average monthly wage. Work permits are issued by a local “voivode” (government land head) and are given for the duration of stay needed to perform the work stated in the declaration of your employer. You need to sign an employment contract with the employer that applied for your permit to make the work permit valid.
Step-3: Issuing the Work Permit Employees should be informed that their work permits are only valid for employment with the company that applied for them. If they decide to change jobs, their new employer will have to file for further permission.
Your employer is legally obliged to:
Give you the employment contract in writing Provide you with a translation of the employment contract in your preferred language Check the validity and make a copy of your residence permit or visa Notify social security and health insurance institutions within seven days after the employment contract is signed, which gives you access to free healthcare, sickness leave, and other social benefits.
Benefits of a work permit Once you get the work permit for Poland, you can:
Legally work in Poland Legalize your stay in the country Do the work defined in the work permit Sign a work contract with your employer
The processing of the visa should take about 10 to 12 days. Once you have entered Poland on a work permit, you can legally work here.