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In About Poland

Cost of living in Poland – 2020 guide

6 Mins Read

It’s no secret that living in Poland is much cheaper compared to other European countries. Affordable prices of food, rent and entertainment are usually one of the main reasons why people choose Poland to be their home. At the same time, if you are thinking of moving to Poland you should take into consideration that you may earn considerably less than you used to. To make this decision easier for you, we’ve put together a list of standard expenses making up the cost of living in Poland in 2018.

2020 cost of living Pocket guide

Cost of accommodation in Poland
Cost of food in Poland
Cost of transport in Poland
Cost of eating out in Poland
Cost of going out and entertainment in Poland
List of the most affordable to the most expensive cities in Poland

You can check the up to date exchange rates for Polish zloty here.

Cost of accommodation in Poland

Warsaw is by far the most expensive city when it comes to renting a flat. The average cost of a medium size flat in the capital can reach even as high as 2800 PLN per month. A bit cheaper flats can be rented in Wroclaw (2260 PLN a month) and Gdansk (1995 PLN a month). The cheapest large city in Poland is Bydgoszcz with rents as low as 1267 PLN a month for a medium size flat.

City	Flat size	Average monthly rent
Bydgoszcz	0-38 m2	996 PLN
	38-60 m2	1267 PLN
	60-90 m2	1713 PLN
Gdansk	0-38 m2	1353 PLN
	38-60 m2	1995 PLN
	60-90 m2	2590 PLN
Katowice	0-38 m2	1279 PLN
	38-60 m2	1769 PLN
	60-90 m2	2399 PLN
Krakow	0-38 m2	1445 PLN
	38-60 m2	1877 PLN
	60-90 m2	2585 PLN
Lublin	0-38 m2	1306 PLN
	38-60 m2	1688 PLN
	60-90 m2	2205 PLN
Lodz	0-38 m2	1203 PLN
	38-60 m2	1645 PLN
	60-90 m2	2581 PLN
Poznan	0-38 m2	1159 PLN
	38-60 m2	1636 PLN
	60-90 m2	2201 PLN
Szczecin	0-38 m2	1186 PLN
	38-60 m2	1552 PLN
	60-90 m2	2014 PLN
Warsaw	0-38 m2	1984 PLN
	38-60 m2	2799 PLN
	60-90 m2	4015 PLN
Wroclaw	0-38 m2	1477 PLN
	38-60 m2	2260 PLN
	60-90 m2	2921 PLN

On top of your rent you need to add a monthly cost of utilities. On average, bills for electricity, heating, water and garbage for a medium size flat are costing 620 PLN. Of course this price will depend on the city you live in, local council tax and your utilities usage. Internet is another additional cost you should think of which adds to another 45 PLN to your expenses.

Utilities (Monthly)	Average monthly cost	Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment	620 PLN	400-850 PLN
Internet (10 Mbps, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)	45 PLN	30-60 PLN

Cost of food

Food in Poland is fairly cheap, especially compared to countries like the UK or France. Compared to these countries, food prices in Poland are on average around 50% lower. Prices of some products may surprise as cheese for example is really expensive in comparison to meat which price is among the lowest in the whole European Union.

Product	Average cost	Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)	2.37 PLN	2-3 PLN
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)	2.72 PLN	2-3 PLN
Rice (white), (1kg)	3.17 PLN	2-5 PLN
Eggs (12)	7.08 PLN	4.80-8.40 PLN
Local Cheese (1kg)	21.87 PLN	18-30 PLN
Chicken Breasts (Boneless, Skinless), (1kg)	15 PLN	13-18 PLN
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)	31 PLN	22-40 PLN
Apples (1kg)	3 PLN	2-4 PLN
Banana (1kg)	4.28 PLN	3.50-5 PLN
Oranges (1kg)	4.50 PLN	4-6 PLN
Tomato (1kg)	5.16 PLN	4-8 PLN
Potato (1kg)	1.65 PLN	1-2.50 PLN
Onion (1kg)	2 PLN	1-3 PLN
Lettuce (1 head)	2.80 PLN	2-4 PLN
Water (1.5 liter bottle)	1.79 PLN	1.50-3 PLN
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)	20 PLN	15-30 PLN
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)	2.99 PLN	2.50-4.00 PLN
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)	4.00 PLN	3-6 PLN

Cost of transport

Transportation	Average cost	Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)	3.40 PLN	3-4.40 PLN
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)	100 PLN	89-100 PLN
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)	6.50 PLN	5-8 PLN
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)	2.40 PLN	2.00-2.80 PLN
Gasoline (1 liter)	4.60 PLN	4.30-5 PLN

Cost of eating out in Poland

Eating and drinking	Average cost	Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant	20 PLN	15-30 PLN
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course	100 PLN	70-120 PLN
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)	17 PLN	15-20 PLN
Cappuccino (regular)	7.40 PLN	6-10 PLN
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) in a pub	7 PLN	4-10 PLN

Cost of going out and entertainment in Poland

Activity	Average cost	Range
Concerts & music gigs	30 PLN	10-50 PLN
Cinema ticket	20 PLN	18-35 PLN
Theater ticket	70 PLN	50-200 PLN
Club entry	15 PLN	10-30 PLN

Above data is based on over 28,164 entries.

The most affordable and most expensive cities in Poland

Similarly to any other country, Poland has its cheap and expensive regions. Choosing one city over another will have a significant impact on your salary, monthly spendings and possible savings. Here is the list of the main Polish cities ranked from the most affordable to the most expensive place to live (taking into consideration rent cost, bills and public transport costs):

#1 Bialystok
#2 Torun
#3 Bydgoszcz
#4 Szczecin
#5 Lodz
#6 Poznan
#7 Gdansk
#8 Wroclaw
#9 Krakow
#10 Warsaw

Avarage salary in Poland

In 2018 the average salary in Poland is heading towards 4900 PLN a month, which is around 3530 PLN after tax (shy of 830 Euro). Of course, income depends on many factors like industry, city, skills and education of the candidate, to name just a few. Here is the full report on average salaries in Poland.

You can check the up to date exchange rates for Polish zloty here.

Do you want more?

Check out 7 the best cities to live and work in Poland.

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In About Poland

Is Poland an Eastern European country?

4 Mins Read

If there was only one statement that could get every Polish person really worked up, it would be saying that Poland is an Eastern European country. The understanding of the concept of Central and Eastern Europe is an ongoing source for debate, varying considerably from nation to nation, and also from time to time. To fully answer whether Poland is an Eastern European country, we need to think broader about the meaning of ‘Eastern Europe’ and look at the geography, history and culture as defining factors. And once the roots of Eastern Europe are understood, it is easier to understand the apprehensive sentiment towards this categorisation so embedded in Polish people.

Where is Eastern Europe?

There are several different definitions of Eastern Europe but they all lack precision and can be interpreted in many ways. The geographical border of the eastern edge of Europe is defined by the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, however, the west side of ‘Eastern Europe’ is a subject to overlap and historical changes.

European regions according to EuroVoc: green – Western Europe, red – Eastern Europe, blue – Northern Europe, yellow – Southern Europe. According to this split Poland is part of the Eastern Europe (source: wikipedia.org)

If the geographical center of Europe is taken into consideration, Poland very often happens to be exactly in the middle, although everything depends on where the furthest points of the continent are defined. In the most accepted theory one line is drawn from the north coast of Norway to the south coast of Italy and the second one from the south-west coast of Portugal to Ural Mountains in the north-west of Russia. The two lines cross in Polish town Bialystok making Poland the geographical center of Europe.

European regions according to the World Facebook: green – Southern Europe, yellow – Western Europe, light blue – Central Europe, blue – Northern Europe, orange – Eastern Europe. According to this split Poland is a part of Central Europe (source: wikipedia.org)

The most common and accepted geographical division of Europe places Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary and Switzerland in Central Europe and Ukraine, Belarus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia in Eastern Europe.

Historical approach

We see that the current geographical theories place Poland outside Eastern Europe. How come than that Poland is still often considered an Eastern European country? Of course, because of history. The cold war has created a division that influenced generations of Europeans and has an impact to this day. Historically, all countries that have been under the influence of the former Soviet Union were considered an eastern bloc (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Romania, Moldova, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia). This cold war legacy influences the perception of Western Europeans and despite big historical shifts (most of the countries from the former eastern bloc joined the European Union in early 2000’s) associations between these countries and the former Soviet Union are still being made.

Why Polish people don’t like being considered Eastern European?

The historical reasons behind the split between Western and Eastern Europe are the same reasons why Polish people can be offended when Poland is being categorised as an Eastern European country. Polish people want to cut off from the past and they see themselves much more Western than Eastern. Times of the cold war are left far behind and Poland in the last 30 years did everything to move away from Russian influences.

Poland has developed itself rapidly over the last 30 years and is one of the fastest growing economies in central Europe. Businesses and Tourism are flourishing and people are positive about the future. Countries such as Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova have economies that are up to -70% GDP per capita compared to Poland. A combination of poverty, lack of respect towards democratic values by sitting governments and lack of general freedom are usually the first connotations that come to mind if a Polish person is asked about the East.

Politically, Poland made all possible steps to move even further away from the former Soviet sphere. In 1997 the country joined NATO and a few years later, in 2004 became a proud member of the European Union. Polish economy is tightly connected with Germany and the rest of Western Europe (rather than Russia).

It makes sense that Polish people don’t like being called Eastern Europeans if they do everything to move away from the negative view associated with that part of Europe. It may take another few generation though to forget about the cold war and historical divisions.

If you are interested in Poland you should also check out Facts about Poland.

In About Poland

Average salary in Poland – 2020 report

4 Mins Read

Probably every person thinking of moving to Poland wonders about the salaries in Poland. How much money can I earn in Poland? Is it going to be enough for a good life? What is my standard of living in Poland going to be? These question are more than understandable and looking at average salaries in Poland can help answering some of them. However, keep in mind that the average salary doesn't mean the salary you are going to get. Income in Poland varies greatly between the cities (as everywhere else the capital and bigger cities offer much higher wages), the industry you will work in and the company that hires you, just to name a few. The below data should be treated just an indication.


What is the average salary in Poland? - based on 2018 data
2018 numbers from GUS (Polish Central Statistical Office) are much more positive than previous years but they may still be a bit disappointing for West-European citizens. The average income before tax in Poland is heading towards 4900 PLN a month, which is around 3530 PLN after tax (shy of 830 Euro). If that number sounds disappointing to you, then it's good to take into consideration that the average living cost in Poland is substantially lower compared to most west-European countries. Have a quick look at the cost of living in Poland and find out yourself that your flat, food and entertainment are much cheaper in Poland compared to West-European countries so at the end of the day you may not be worse off.
Changes in the average income in Poland since 2000, source: wynagrodzenia.pl/gus
Average salaries in different industries
In Poland, similarly to other countries, the average income depends very much on the industry and the discrepancies can be quite significant. Here are the average salaries in different sectors based on the data from February 2018:
Business sector - 4600 PLN

Construction industry - 4482 PLN

IT sector - 8379 PLN

Trade industry - 4392 PLN

Hospitality - 3414 PLN

Administration sector - 3342 PLN

Real estate sector - 4734 PLN
Average salaries in different regions of Poland
The highest wages can normally be found in big cities and it shouldn’t come as a surprise that city of Warsaw and the surrounding region offer the highest average income in Poland. A useful rule of thumb is that the east side of Poland earns less than the west side. The below illustration clearly show this difference in average wages between the different regions of Poland.
Average salary in different regions of Poland, source: wynagrodzenia.pl/gus
What is the minimum wage in Poland?
The minimum salary has increased in 2018 to 2100 PLN before tax which is around 1598 PLN after tax (380 Euro). This is the lowest wage that a full-time employee must be paid per month of work.
Increase of the minimum wage in Poland since 2000, source: wynagrodzenia.pl/gus
The minimum hourly rate is 13.70 PLN and this is the amount that must be paid to a person hired based on a contract.
How much can expats earn in Poland?
Everything depends on your skills and the languages you can speak. Native speakers can make really good money in teaching English, German or Spanish (average hourly rate is around 50 PLN, but can be much higher). That’s almost 4 times more than the minimum hourly rate!
If you work in the IT sector you can earn very decent money that, even comparing to west-European income standards, won’t be disappointing. The same goes for your own business.
At the same time, if you are planning to work in a pub or restaurant, you need to take into consideration that you will earn 13.70 PLN per hour plus some tips. Is that enough? It can be, but of course, everything depends on what life you are planning to have.
You can check the up to date exchange rates for Polish zloty here.
Do you want more?
Check out 7 the best cities to live and work in Poland.





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In About Poland

The 7 best Polish cities to live and work

7 Mins Read

When deciding where to live in Poland, many factors are in the eye of the beholder. What about affordable housing, low cost of living, access to well-paying jobs, good schools for your children, and quality healthcare. Other aspects may include proximity to family, climate, politics and opportunities.

Poland is quite a large country with a lot of diversity in scenery, opportunities and quality of life. There are many unique regions that could make your Polish experience really different depending on where you decide to live. To help you with your decision (or if you haven’t settled in permanently yet, perhaps help you to change your mind) we’ve prepared our ranking of the top 7 best Polish cities to live and work in.

#7 Słupsk

Population: 95,274
Voivodeship: Pomeranian Voivodeship

Słupsk, probably the most open-minded and tolerant city in Poland is governed by Robert Biedroń, a Polish LGBT activist. Biedroń won the mayoral elections in 2014 and secured 57% of the vote, becoming the first openly gay mayor ever in Poland. His attitude, ideas and initiatives gained him a huge number of fans and help Słupsk to become a modern and great city to live in.

If the environment, tolerance and equality are close to your heart, Słupsk is a great choice for you. Proximity and easy access to Tricity means that you won’t have problems with finding a job and can enjoy big city life whenever you feel like it. And when you are done with making money and going out, you can relax in Słupsk which offers tranquillity and access to nature. What more could anyone ask for?

#6 Warsaw

Population: 1.711 million
Voivodeship: Masovian Voivodeship

Fusing tradition and desire to remember its history with modernity and innovation, in recent years Warsaw has become one of European’s prime cities. It is also known as the Phoenix city as it was almost completely destroyed during WWII and with the help of the nation, was rebuilt from scratch. The spirit and energy of those times are still present and admired by millions of tourists who visit the city every year.

As with any capital, Warsaw offers well-paid jobs and access to all sorts of opportunities. The job market is especially attractive for foreigners, with lots of international companies looking for English and German speakers. Thanks to the abundance of theatres, museums, galleries, bars, restaurants and vibrant nightlife, you will never be bored.

Loads of opportunities and possibilities, obviously come with a price tag. The high cost of living, expensive housing (in comparison to other Polish cities) and constant busyness. In the end, Warsaw is no different to any other European capital and if you don’t like big city life you are not going to enjoy living in Warsaw.

If you’re interested in Warsaw check out what to do and see in Warsaw.

#5 Toruń

Population: 204,847
Voivodeship: Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship

Medieval and charming Toruń ranks high on almost every urban quality of life list and it’s not a surprise as this architectural treasure escaped destruction during the World Wars and is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s the hometown of Nicolas Copernicus who had a great influence on his city – Toruń’s university is one of the best, especially in science subjects like physics and chemistry.

If you like smaller cities with unique architecture and relaxing vibe Toruń is the one for you. Perfect place to have a family and settle down or just to slow down a little bit. And if you are not ready for a calmer life you should definitely visit Toruń just to experience its beauty and charms. Don’t forget to try famous gingerbread which is the local speciality.

If you’re interested in Toruń check out what to do and see in Toruń.

#4 Gdańsk

Population: 460,354
Voivodeship: Pomeranian Voivodeship

Situated in the North of Poland, on the coast of the Baltic Sea, Gdańsk is one of Poland’s most modern cities. A thriving centre of culture, science, sports and entertainment, the city has a unique feel that sets it apart from the other Polish destinations. Created by centuries of maritime ebb and flow as a port city, Gdańsk played a very important role in the collapse of communism and often is referred to as the “city of freedom”.

Every year Gdańsk wins in rankings for the happiest place to live in, with 79,2% of its population feeling content with their life. Beautiful beaches, good weather and lively city centre must contribute to this impressive result. If you’re interested in Gdańsk check out what to do and see not only in Gdańsk but also in Gdynia and Sopot (Trojmiasto).

#3 Kraków

Population: 759,131
Voivodeship: Lesser Poland

City of legends and magical places, Kraków is Poland’s old capital and a perfect place to settle down. The old market square is breathtaking and often is voted to be the best one in the world (last time in 2013 by Lonely Planet). The city centre is full of historical attractions, museum, bars, restaurants and shops tucked away down the old narrow streets.

Kraków is probably the most touristic of all Polish cities and locals are used to foreigners who they really like and make an effort for. Proximity to the Tatra Mountains means that you can go skiing or hiking every weekend without any hassle. And of course, finding a job as a foreigner is quite easy as Kraków is a big city with the vibrant job market.

If you’re interested in Kraków check out what to do and see in Kraków.

#2 Poznań

Population: 552,393
Voivodeship: Greater Poland Voivodeship

City of business, trade and huge student population, Poznań has a distinctive vibe, quite independent of tourism. Buzzing any time of the day and night, Poznań is full of restaurants, pubs and clubs. Do to the entrepreneurial spirit Poznań citizens, the city has one of the lowest unemployment rates in Poland (around 2% at the moment) and therefore a great place to look for a job, even if you don’t speak Polish yet.

Poznań is situated only a 2.5h drive away from Berlin which makes it a great spot to travel from and explore. Thanks to its vibrant job market the city is very attractive for foreigners and next to Wrocław, one of the most favourite destinations for expats to settle down.

If you’re interested in Poznań check out what to do and see in Poznań.

#1 Wrocław

Population: 631,377
Voivodeship: Lower Silesian Voivodeship

Full of life and character, with magnificent architecture and vibrant colours, Wrocław is one of expats most favourite cities in Poland to live and work. Because of the presence of many rivers, islands and over 200 bridges, the city has a growing reputation as the Venice of the North. European Capital of Culture 2016 and one of the host cities during Euro 2012, has over 100 bars and clubs, open often almost 24h a day. Wrocław is definitely a city of action, events and fun and it appeals to people looking for those qualities.

Wrocław attracts not only people but also big companies that are looking for skilled employees who speak multiple languages. Lots of them are looking for native speakers which makes Wroclaw the perfect place to live for expats. And a big community of foreigners is always a bonus if you are looking for friendly people in a similar situation.

If you’re interested in Wrocław check out what to do and see in Wrocław.

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In About Poland

Essential DO’S AND DONT’S in Poland

4 Mins Read

It is said, that ignorance of the law is harmful. We see it especially when we are in a different, unknown country, where everything is so puzzling and different. So have you ever thought about those essential rules that apply in Poland? Here is the list of the most important do’s and don’ts.

#1 Smoking & drinking in public spaces

In the past in Poland, people could smoke cigarettes everywhere they wanted to, similarly to the rest of Europe. However, the last 10 years or so have brought a change to the legislation and it is not legal anymore to smoke in most of the public spaces. Although some pubs and clubs create special areas where smoking is allowed, usually outside. Be careful especially at the train station and bus stops, those areas are considered public space, therefore, it’s forbidden to smoke there.

Similarly to cigarettes, drinking alcohol is also considered illegal in public spaces. There are lots of exceptions to this rule, e.g. sitting outside in a beer garden and drinking is of course ok. However, the Polish law is quite bizarre when it comes to drinking in public, so you will find that drinking for example of a beach is ok, but in a park or forest not. Cities are also allowed to create own rules so very often the council make some exceptions. One thing to remember is that if you see people drinking at some spots it doesn’t necessarily mean it is legal to do so. But don’t be obsessed with it, in the worst case scenario a policeman can give you a fine (which is not going to break the bank as it is usually 50 – 100 PLN).

#2 Swearing

For the majority of foreigners knowledge of the Polish language is close to zero, but somehow there is a bunch of words (unfortunately swear words), that most of them know perfectly. If you already know these magic words, you should remember that generally it is banned to use them in public. Most of the people use them anyway, but the police have a right to fine you for it (the likelihood of this happening is really low though, how could a policman punish a foreigner for trying their best in learning Polish?).

#3 Being a good pedestrian and a driver

When it comes to walking and driving in a city you have to really stick to the rules. No crossing on the red light (that applies in the same way to drivers and pedestrians) or even worse, crossing a street, not on a zebra crossing. Even when you are coming back to your place at night and there is no car in your proximity you need to wait for the green light. If a policeman catches you on crossing the street on the red light you are getting fined and no foreign charm will help you (police is much stricter when it comes to those rules that to the other ones mentioned above).
Additionally, drivers need to obey the international driving rules and watch out for the speed cameras, there are pretty much on every corner.

#4 Obligation of having an ID

When you are going out somewhere, no matter what time it is, there is one thing that you have to keep on you and it is some form of ID (either passport or a National Identity Card). Remember to always carry an ID card and you will avoid getting into trouble. This rule applies to everyone, not just foreigners.

#5 Life after 10 p.m.

Of course, every house party eventually has to end and according to the Polish law, it should be 10 o’clock. However, with an agreement and kindness of the neighbours, this rule can be stretched. If there is a noise after 10 pm the neighbours have a right to call the police.

Another thing to know is that after 10 pm only people over 18 can be outside unless an underage person is with a guardian. The rest of the minors have to stay politely at home.

In About Poland

Facts about Poland

5 Mins Read

The Republic of Poland is a country situated in Central Europe. As a country located at the heart of Europe, we follow the rule “the more, the merrier”. In the south, we share a border with our friends from the Czech Republic and Slovakia. To the east with Belarus, Ukraine, Russia and Lithuania. And in the west, we have our German friends. Our country has access to the Baltic Sea in the north and is surrounded by mountains (Tatry, Bieszczady, Karpaty) in the south.

It’s been a while since our country became a member of the European Union (2004), United Nations (1945), NATO (1999) and dozens of other international organisations.

Stats about Poland

The total area of Poland is 312,679 square kilometres (9th largest country in Europe) with a population of over 38.5 million people. You should know the name of our capital city but just to make sure you are well-informed, we want you to keep in mind that it’s Warszawa (Warsaw) – not Krakow ;).

After joining the European Union we decided not to change our currency from Polish Złoty (PLN) to Euro (because we are not ready) and not to add any additional official languages (Polish is the only one, but you will have no problems if you start speaking in English).

There was a time where we had a king who ruled all across the country, but after a few centuries and generations we decided to get rid of this idea and we left the power to the Parliament and Prime Minister. Yes, we also have a President but as Poland is a parliamentary republic – the first one has more power. If you want to get things done at the moment you should speak to Mateusz Morawiecki (our current prime minister) rather than Andrzej Duda (president).

Polish Religion

The great majority of Polish people are Christians (probably this is why Christmas is so popular here) – 86.7% belong to the Roman Catholic Church. There are even a Catholic TV channel and a Catholic radio station.

jezus-from-swiebodzin — Monument of the Christ the King in Świebodzin

If you like huge monuments, you might want to go to Świebodzin in western Poland, where you can see a statue of Jesus Christ called “Christ the King (Polish: Pomnik Chrystusa Króla). Completed in November 2010, with a total height of 33 meters it is the tallest statue of Jesus in the world (sorry, Rio de Janeiro…). By the way, have you ever heard of Karol Wojtyła? No? Let’s try with his better-known name – John Paul II. He was the head of the Catholic Church from 1978 to 2005, the second longest-serving pope in history and the first non-Italian since Pope Adrian VI, who died in 1523. Till date – he remains one of the most well-known Poles in history.

Language

The Polish language is one of the most difficult languages to learn. It has seven cases and grammar that has actually more exceptions than rules (sorry for that!). But imagine how proud you will be of yourself when you finally get through all of these things (if you do…). We don’t know why our ancestors decided to create a language so difficult and full of exceptions, but we know that even Polish people have a lot of problems learning it.

Polish Cuisine

If there’s one thing about Poland we are really, really proud of, it is most definitely our cuisine. Before you try it we have to warn you – it is extremely tasty but also fatty and calorific (however, you can get rid of extra calories by visiting Polish pubs or monuments after that…).

The most popular Polish meals are pierogi (dumplings), kotlet schabowy (type of breaded cutlet), bigos (a mix of cabbage, meat and mushrooms), gołąbki (cabbage leaves stuffed with meat), rosół (chicken soup), zupa ogórkowa (cucumber soup – it’s really sour!!!) and żurek (sour soup with egg and sausage).

We won’t be modest here – our cuisine is great and it’s totally worth trying. It’s also especially good when accompanied by vodka or beer! Try it!

Other facts about Poland

In Poland, we drive on the right (if somebody told you differently, don’t believe them!). Read more about the driving rules in Poland.

We kiss each other three times during official situations, for example, family meetings during holidays or when we meet with our friends. The cheek kiss is a very important part of family and friend interactions during traditional ceremonies BUT! if you see somebody for the first time it might be better if you just stick to a handshake.

The most popular alcoholic drinks in Poland are beer and vodka. Poland is increasingly well-known for its many small breweries which are becoming better and better (Belgium – we’re right behind you!). Vodka is normally drunk straight, rather than as a part of a cocktail or with a mixer, and during winter season we like to drink mulled, spicy beer and wine.

That’s all for now! We could write even more about our country – its secrets, mysteries, traditions, other facts but it is better if you simply come here and find them out for yourself!