Labor market
EU citizens do not need a work permit to work in Poland. However, it should be noted that a residence permit must be made if you stay in Poland for more than 3 months.
According to countryvv, the gross minimum wage has been PLN 2,250 (approx. € 530) since 2019. The industry differences are huge. Child benefit depends on the age of the child. If the child is up to 5 years old, the amount of child benefit is 95 zloty, between 6 and 18 years old 124 zloty and between 19 and 23 years old 135 zloty. For single parents there is 193 zloty per child, with a maximum of 386 zloty for all children.
In addition to looking for a job on site, speculative applications are the best way to get a job in Poland. Many have used the opportunity of an internship to pave the way for later employment with a company.
The unemployment rate was 3.3% in December 2020. In many industries and companies there is a shortage of skilled workers, so that more and more skilled workers from abroad are being used. This applies, for example, to engineers, construction workers, commercial specialists, doctors and nurses.
Cost of living
The cost of living is around half cheaper than in Germany.
You would need around € 2,737.38 in Warsaw to maintain the standard of living that you could have in Berlin with € 3,700.00 (assuming you rent in the cities).
- Consumer prices in Warsaw are 28.77% lower than in Berlin (excluding rent)
- Consumer prices in Warsaw are 26.02% lower than in Berlin (including rent)
- The rents in Warsaw are 20.01% lower than in Berlin
- Restaurant prices in Warsaw are 28.85% lower than in Berlin
- Food prices in Warsaw are 31.97% lower than in Berlin
- The local purchasing power in Warsaw is 48.36% lower than in Berlin
Average cost of living in Warsaw (from 07/2020 – 06/2021)
| Restaurant | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Food, price w. restaurant | 6.64 | 4.43 – 11.07 |
| Middle class, 3 courses for 2 people. | 37.65 | 22.15-44.29 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l | 2.21 | 1.33-3.32 |
| Imported beer, 0.33 l | 2.66 | 1.77-3.32 |
| cappuccino | 2.60 | 1.55-3.32 |
| Coca / Pepsi (0.33 l) | 1.36 | 0.66 – 2.21 |
| Water (0.33 l) | 1.06 | 0.44 – 1.77 |
| Food | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Milk (1 L) | 0.66 | 0.53-0.78 |
| White bread (500g) | 0.89 | 0.49-1.33 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | 1.04 | 0.66-1.44 |
| Eggs (12) | 2.24 | 1.33-3.19 |
| Local cheese (1kg) | 6.88 | 4.43-8.86 |
| Chicken breast fillet (1kg) | 4.40 | 2.88-5.54 |
| Beef (1kg) or other red meat | 8.78 | 5.54-11.07 |
| Apples (1kg) | 0.95 | 0.60-1.22 |
| Bananas (1kg) | 1.27 | 0.89 – 1.77 |
| Oranges (1kg) | 1.40 | 0.66 – 1.77 |
| Tomatoes (1kg) | 1.90 | 0.89-2.66 |
| Potatoes (1kg) | 0.68 | 0.22-0.89 |
| Onions (1kg) | 0.76 | 0.44 – 1.11 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 0.82 | 0.44 – 1.11 |
| Water (1.5 l) | 0.54 | 0.33-0.78 |
| Bottle of wine (middle class) | 6.64 | 4.43-9.97 |
| Local beer (0.5 l) | 0.85 | 0.55 – 1.11 |
| Imported beer (0.33 l) | 1.48 | 0.89 – 2.21 |
Average costs for local transport, utilities, clothing, leisure, education in Warsaw (from 07/2020 – 06/2021)
| Mode of Transport | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| One-time ticket | 0.97 | 0.75-0.97 |
| Monthly pass | 24.36 | 22.15-31.01 |
| Taxi base amount | 1.77 | 1.77-2.21 |
| Taxi 1 km | 0.66 | 0.53-0.89 |
| Ancillary housing costs | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| for 85 sqm apartment (electricity, water, garbage, etc. | 191.36 | 110.74-254.70 |
| 1 minute prepaid mobile tariff | 0.06 | 0.03-0.08 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable / ADSL) | 14.60 | 9.97-22.15 |
| Clothes, shoes | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | 91.40 | 44.29-110.74 |
| Summer dress (Zara, H&M,… | 39.51 | 19.93-46.51 |
| Nike sports shoes, middle class | 85.80 | 46.51-112.95 |
| Leather business shoes | 121.87 | 66.44-155.03 |
| leisure time | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Fitness center, month / adult | 31.52 | 21.93-42.08 |
| Tennis, 1 hour on weekends | 14.81 | 13.29-16.61 |
| a movie ticket | 7.75 | 5.54-11.07 |
| training | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Preschool / Kindergarten, private, whole day, monthly per child | 389.80 | 287.92-442.95 |
| International primary school per year and child | 13,687.14 | 7,630.14 – 17,717.99 |
Average rental prices / purchase and salaries of Warsaw (from 07/2020 – 06/2021)
| Monthly rental price | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in the city center | 717.49 | 509.39-885.90 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) outside the center | 539.09 | 420.80-664.42 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in the city center | 1,449.28 | 996.64-1,771.80 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) outside the center | 1,968.95 | 730.87-1,240.26 |
| Purchase price of apartments | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Price per square meter for an apartment in the city – purchase | 3,968.95 | 3,100.65 – 4,429.50 |
| Price per square meter – apartment outside the center – purchase | 2,514.54 | 1,993.27-2,879.17 |
| wages | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Average monthly salary (after taxes) | 987.73 | – |
Emigration and Living in Poland
Emigration is only recommended for retirees, entrepreneurs, managers and a few professional groups. There are some very attractive areas. If you want to live here, you should at least master the basics of Polish. Some advantages of the country: easy immigration (as EU), low cost of living (LHK-I 57.3), German is a recognized minority language.
