Moving to Poland in 2026
Which routes remain for Russian citizens, the Pole's Card, temporary residence, taxes and a budget for the first 3 months in Warsaw.
Country programs
What you can get in Poland
Moving to Poland: entry, first 30 days, 3-month budget
For Russian citizens living in Russia, moving to Poland in 2026 is almost closed: Poland does not issue them national work visas, grants Schengen visas only in exceptional cases, and simplified work access for Russian citizens was abolished in October 2022. The realistic routes are the Pole's Card for people with Polish roots, family of Polish and European Union citizens, humanitarian grounds and moving with European Union long-term resident status from another member state.
- Before the trip. Check your ground: the Pole's Card, family, a humanitarian route or European Union resident status. Have documents translated into Polish by a sworn translator.
- Days 1-30. Register your place of stay at the town hall if you live in Poland longer than 30 days, get a resident number, open a bank account and sign a lease.
- Days 30-90. Apply for residence at the voivodeship office; Pole's Card holders can apply for permanent residence straight away. In Warsaw the review takes months.
| 3-month item | Per person |
|---|---|
| One-room flat in Warsaw, 3 months plus deposit | ~$2,670-3,080 |
| Living costs excluding rent | ~$2,690 |
| Residence and card fees | ~$140 |
| Total | from $5,500 |
Rents in Łódź, Poznań and smaller towns are noticeably lower than in Warsaw. A family budget depends on its size and the residence ground; we calculate it in the chat. Exchange rate: about 3.9 zloty per dollar on 6 October 2026.
Poland in brief
Poland is one of the largest European Union countries, with a population of about 37 million, in central Europe between Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania, with a Baltic coast. The capital is Warsaw, and the major centres are Kraków, Wrocław, Gdańsk, Poznań and Łódź. Poland joined NATO in 1999, the European Union in 2004 and the Schengen area in 2007, but has not adopted the euro: the currency is the Polish złoty, about 3.91 złoty to the dollar. Its economy is one of the fastest-growing in the European Union: manufacturing, logistics, IT and service centres for international companies. The language is Polish.
Poland suits specialists and entrepreneurs who want life in the European Union with moderate costs and taxes, people with Polish roots and those working in technology. It suits less Russian citizens: entry and visas for them have been heavily restricted since 2022.
How to move in 2026
| Basis | Main condition | What it gives |
|---|---|---|
| Employment | a work permit or a single work and residence permit based on a contract with a Polish employer | temporary residence for up to 3 years |
| EU Blue Card | a degree and a salary above the threshold | residence and family relocation |
| Own business | a Polish company that pays taxes, hires local staff or has invested capital | temporary residence for the owner or manager |
| Pole's Card | Polish origin or a connection with Polish culture and basic Polish | the right to work, simplified permanent residence |
| Family and study | marriage to a Polish resident or university enrolment | residence on that basis |
Permanent residence is usually granted after 5 years of continuous residence, and citizenship after several more years with it, with Polish at B1 and stable income. Poland does not require you to give up your previous citizenship.
Taxes
Polish income tax is 12%, and 32% on income above 120,000 złoty a year. Salaries carry 13.71% social contributions and a 9% health contribution. A sole trader can choose the general scale, a flat 19% tax or a tax on revenue of 2% to 17%, with 12% for IT. VAT is 23%, and corporate tax 19%, or 9% for small companies. More on the page about Polish taxes.
Property
European Union citizens buy homes like Poles. Other foreigners can buy flats without a separate permit, while buying a house with land or a plot requires a permit from the interior ministry. On the resale market a 2% civil law transactions tax is paid; it is not charged when buying from a developer, where VAT is included in the price. The deal is executed by a notary. More on the page about property in Poland.
Cost of living
Poland is cheaper than Germany and the Czech Republic for most costs, but rents in Warsaw, Kraków and Wrocław have risen noticeably in recent years. Groceries, transport and services are moderately priced. Healthcare works through public insurance funded by salary contributions, and many employers also pay for a private medical package. State schools and universities teaching in Polish are free.
Where to live
- Warsaw. The capital and business centre with the highest salaries and prices.
- Kraków. A historic city with universities and many tech companies.
- Wrocław. A fast-growing city with offices of international companies.
- Gdańsk and the Tri-City. The Baltic coast, the port and a tech sector.
- Poznań and Łódź. Large cities with more affordable housing.
Practicalities
- Entry. Since 2022 Russian citizens have practically been unable to enter on tourist visas, and visa issuance to them is heavily restricted.
- Documents. After arrival you receive a personal identification number, without which it is hard to open a bank account or access healthcare.
- Language. Polish; in big cities English is often enough at work, but authorities and citizenship require Polish.
- Transport. Convenient trains between cities; Warsaw to Berlin takes about 5 hours.
- Climate. Temperate: about 22-26 degrees in summer and around zero or below in winter.
Who Poland suits
Poland is a convenient country for living and working in the European Union with moderate costs, a strong tech market and clear tax regimes for entrepreneurs. It is especially attractive for people with Polish roots. Write in the chat and we will choose a basis for your move based on your citizenship and calculate the full cost.
Services
Murblz services in Poland
A passport or residence permit opens the door, but life behind it is awkward without a bank account and a roof over your head. Murblz specialists help with the account, property and company in the same country. The quote is fixed in writing before work starts.
Popular questions
FAQ about Poland
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What taxes are taken from a salary in Poland in 2026?
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What is the VAT rate in Poland in 2026?
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What tax do people under 26 pay in Poland?
What to do when you visit
What to see in Warsaw
Old Town (Stare Miasto)
A meticulously rebuilt medieval square, listed by UNESCO after postwar reconstruction.
Royal Castle
The residence of Polish kings, recreated from ruins with its original interiors.
POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews
An award-winning museum on the former ghetto site, spanning a thousand years.
Palace of Culture and Science
A Stalinist-era skyscraper gifted by Moscow, with a viewing terrace above the city.
Łazienki Park
A royal park with peacocks, a palace on the water and a Chopin monument.
Warsaw Rising Museum
A powerful, emotional museum dedicated to the 1944 uprising.
How to send money to Poland in 2026 →
We can help with the transfer: ask in the chat.
Poland: residence through work, a company or ancestry?
Tell us about your work, business and ancestry - we compare residence through employment, your own company and the Pole's Card and prepare the documents.