Language / Kids languages for mixed couples ? [26]

I'm a native speaker of English living in Poland with my Polish wife and our two small children. The kids speak easily in both languages, but I agree with previous postings that children will always prefer to use the local language.

It was important from the beginning for both of us to speak strictly in our native tongues with the children. English television, books, and frequent trips to America are also a big help.

However, we do have many friends in the UK and US in the reverse situation. Some couples are Polish-Polish and some Polish - American/English. In all of these situations the parents have followed similar steps as we have, so the children understand Polish, yet they refuse to speak Polish unless the situation absolutely requires it. (Example: Babcia visits and doesn't understand a word of English). And when they do speak, their vocabulary is limited and grammar as well, with some very interesting accents.

It has struck me as quite odd that 2 Polish parents living in the UK/US speaking strictly Polish at home cannot get their children to speak Polish, while at the same time my children have no issues with using English. I think the answer is that when my older child was young I understood very little Polish and she was forced to talk to me in English. With our friends in UK / US, the kids catch on very quickly that their Polish parents can understand English, so they speak to them in English.

So I think discipline goes a long way, but the best situation is if one of the parents does not understand the other’s native tongue and the child is forced to use both.

Real Estate / Avoiding tax when selling a flat in PL [19]

Juche, Can you explain this in more detail? I am very interested to know how this works. Thanks

Law / Invoice Terms in Poland [8]


Yes, it is called "Termin płatności", and is a standard part of a VAT invoice. But like Seanus said, if your friend is just going down the self employment route he will not be generating Invoices, but bills. (me thinks)


Just from my experience it is typically 7, 10, or 14 days. Which does seem quite short. I don't recall having seen anything longer than 14 days, unlike the typical 30 days I am accustomed to outside of Poland. I don't know if this cultural or part of the accounting standards here.

Life / Are there Bank Cheques and checkbooks in Poland? Do people use cheques? [8]

There is certainly a charge for receiving internationally wired funds into a Polish bank account. It varies by bank, but is typically 25 - 50zl per transaction. There would normally be a charge on the sending end as well from your bank in Australia, so if you are wiring to yourself you will get hit on both ends. You are also subject to FX fluctuations beyond your control, unless you hold an account in your native currency in the receiving bank.

Law / Accounting of costs when a Polish company pays foreign providers [9]

If these companies are supplying services to an EU customer they should be VAT registered in at least one EU country and should be able to provide a VAT invoice to you.

"When a non-EU operator supplies electronic services to an EU customer, the place of taxation, according to the Directive, is within the EU and therefore those services are subject to VAT. For instance, a US e-commerce software company electronically delivering services to an Italian individual or business is subject to VAT because the place of taxation is deemed to be within the EU. For this purpose, the foreign supplier must register with a tax authority in one EU Member state to collect and remit the VAT every three months.Yet, an important distinction exists when non-EU operator supplies electronic services to an EU company (not a final customer), this transaction may not be subject to VAT under the "reverse charge mechanism." Since the EU company will collect VAT when making the final product sale, the non-EU operator sale is exempted from VAT payment."

ibls.com/internet_law_news_portal_view.aspx?id=2121&s=latestnews

Real Estate / Mortgage default rates in Poland [10]


In my opinion the situation is the reverse. As you pointed out it is difficult for the bank to foreclose on a property when the debtor defaults, and even more difficult to remove the debtor and sell the property. For this reason the banks, particularly now, are very shy to lend large amounts of money for the purchase of property.

Real Estate / Mortgage default rates in Poland [10]

Do you still think that the banks have too much power over debtors? I think it sounds quite reasonable for a bank to seize a property that the debtor has defaulted on.

I'm interested in this idea of the bank taking personal assets without a court order. I've heard stories that in the "old days", you could get a knock at the door and a repo service would just walk in and start taking everything from the apartment; furniture, electronics, etc. This could be over a small debt, or maybe even an unpaid fine. (like getting caught on the train without a ticket). All without a court order.

I never believed that this could be true. Is that what you are referring too? Is this still permitted?

Life / grrrr... internet issues (or customer service issues) with TP SA [14]

If you move from your current residence where the TP service is provided (sell the place, or sign a new lease contract somewhere else) then the service is voided without any financial penalty.