Here you can find useful information relevant for foreign workers on how to find accommodation, language courses and means of public transport.
How to find accommodation in Poland?
While renting a flat you must be aware that you will have to sign an agreement and pay a security deposit – usually the amount of a monthly rent. Remember the owner is in charge of all repairs in a rented flat.
There are two main ways of looking for a flat.
Housing Estate agency
The easiest way to find an accommodation, is to contact a housing estate agency.
Be aware that finding the accommodation with the help of a housing estate agency is NOT free of charge. Usually you have to pay the agency the amount of the monthly rent.
Online searching for accommodation
There are thousands of advertisements on accommodation on the internet. You can add your own advertisement for free, and thereby you avoid the initial cost. Here you will find the example of websites where you can find and add advertisements:
The knowledge of Polish language may be helpful when you want to find an accommodation. Polish people often are quite distrustful and that is why it is helpful to have friends in Poland who will help you when you want to find accommodation.
Public Transport
Using public transportation in Poland, you can buy a disposable ticket or a travel card valid for one or three months. Major cities like Warsaw offer cheaper travel cards and admissions to entertainment centres for those who pay taxes in that cities.
www.ztm.waw.pl
Nurseries/ Kindergartens/Schools
If you stay in Poland with a family and pay taxes, you can apply for public nurseries, kindergartens and schools. Application is only online, https://men.gov.pl/pl/rekrutacja.
Public nurseries/kindergartens and schools are free of charge. Nurseries are for children between the age of 20 weeks and 3 years. Kindergartens are accessible for children between 3 and 6 years. School starts at the age of 7. Primary school lasts 8 years and it’s compulsory. Compulsory education in Poland lasts until the age of 18. Public education and higher education in Poland are free of charge.
Health Care
Public health care is free of charge. If you are employed, you have a medical insurance. If your family also live in Poland, they can use public health care, even if they do not work. Your medical insurance entitles your family to free public health care.
Emergency number in Poland
The emergency number in Poland is 112.
Recycling
It is advisable to separate household waste in Poland, which means that there are different containers for glass, plastic, paper and biodegradable rubbish. Not separating waste results in higher fees.
Learn Polish
If you want to stay in Poland and your future is here, you can learn basic Polish as well as its grammar and literature. You can do it by participating in various language courses. Here are the links where you can find reliable teachers.
Ask in the Provincial Office of the place where you stay for Polish language courses. Sometimes they organize language and adapting courses for foreigners who want to live in Poland.