Language / Polish inscription in a book for a loved one [35]

No. You have to write....Dla mojej ukochanej (name) na zawsze twoj (name) . However when you put her name, you also have to be careful. If she is called Ewa, you have to write 'Ewy', if she is called Elzbieta, you have to write 'Elzbiety'. Tell us her name and someone will give you the correct name you should put.

Life / An Englishman wanting to watch TV in Poland [51]

You should not tell people how they should behave. You have no right to do this. If someone wants to watch UK TV in Poland it is their choice and they have a right to do this.

People should not be forced to copy the behaviour of other people only because the others think that this behaviour is the only one that is right and acceptable and anything else is wrong.

Study / Study English in WARSAW - good academies, places, teachers or the best option [16]

I've just thought of another reason. As a non-EU the student has to pay the international rate for studies. However, because Universities are short of cash, they may (and in fact they do) lower the entry requirements for students just to get them through the door and the cash from them. It is extremely unlikely that when studying in English the students will have a well-known and respected in his field English native Professor. All the students want is the piece of paper at the end, student status to get a job and then bring their family to settle so that they can claim all the benefits they can. I do not believe (and someone can prove me wrong) that a non-EU student is likely to be educated to the same level as a Polish student when applying to study at a Polish University.

Study / Study English in WARSAW - good academies, places, teachers or the best option [16]

I think it's called 'foot in the door.' Many non-EU people think that once they have worked in an EU country they will be able to progress onto better jobs, better standard of living. This maybe true for some people, but generally anyone from an non-EU county has to assess how easily it will be for him/her to assimilate into Polish society, Polish way of life and how the Poles will perceive him. There is sill a lot of prejudices against non-Polish people in Poland.

Love / My Polish Girlfriend Broke Up With Me Very Suddenly, Did She Use Me? [23]

To my way of thinking. She wanted to see what you have to offer - when she found out that nothing very much,she regretted it. There is absolutely no future in this relationship and never will be. It would be different if you were Donald Trump and could offer her security without a pre-nub agreement. .

Work / What is deducted from a salary in Poland apart from Income tax? [155]

You have to get the correct form from the Tax office. This needs to be completed. Sometimes you may ask the employer or someone more familiar with the forms to help you with it. Tax year runs from 1st Jan to 31st Dec - forms to be completed as soon as possible after that.

You have to make a claim for the child at the Town Hall - someone should be able to help you

Life / Does Medicover insurance in Poland cover the cost for test done? (blood test, vaccinations, etc.) [11]

NFZ will pay if you have paid into the system and your child has been recorded on your record.

Work / What is deducted from a salary in Poland apart from Income tax? [155]

It is NOT a tax exemption. You have to make a claim and then you will get 500 pln monthly paid into your bank account.
In your case, I would make a joint declaration, as you will benefit from that.

Work / 13000 zloty salary enough to save 9000 zloty with normal living in Poland? [37]

It is NOT a tax exemption. You have to make a claim for the second child (if both live with you and are under 18). This money is then paid straight into your bank account.

Study / Study English in WARSAW - good academies, places, teachers or the best option [16]

Read some literature on accent assimilation and after being in Poland for 5 years let us know if you have not picked up any Polish twang.

Work / What is deducted from a salary in Poland apart from Income tax? [155]

I have looked into the husband and wife declarations further. If your annual earnings are 85,528 pln or less and your wife does not work, you may benefit to the tune of 556.38 pln per year.

If your annual earnings are 171,056 pln or above and your wife does not work then you will benefit more, as the total can be split into 2 and you pay 18 per cent tax (same as wife) instead of 32 per cent tax on earnings above 85,528 pln.

Work / What is deducted from a salary in Poland apart from Income tax? [155]

For children, if you have 2 children below the age of 18 with you, you will get 500 pln monthly for the second child.
For joint tax declaration - I do not believe that this will save you any money. You will not get any allowances because your wife is not working.

Travel / Avoid being ripped off by some exchange outlets in Krakow and elsewhere [44]

You can always go to the newspapers and tell them your story. You can warn people off on social media (Facebook and others).

Work / Want to change job in Poland [3]

Work permits are for a specific employer. The new employer will need to apply for a new work permit. Not many want to go through the hassle.

Real Estate / Question about Czynsz (Building maintenance fees/utilies) in Poland [129]

Everyone renting a flat in Poland KNOWS that a tenant has to pay czynsz. It is the amount of the czynsz that you should question, but instead of asking the right people the right questions - you go off in a hissy fit and don't want to understand how things are done in Poland.

If you don't like where you live - move out and claim any overpaid amount from the landlord. End of.

Real Estate / Is our Landlord in Poland trying to scam us? [16]

When I said invoices or receipts - this was for the work carried out by professional firms, for any goods that he purchased. If you purchase a light bulb you get a receipt from the shop. A landlord should keep all these to show to the tenant the cost of items replaced.

Work / IT Infrastructure Engineer Expected Salary in Poland [10]

...and long johns. (skin tight trousers that you wear under your regular trousers)

Real Estate / Is our Landlord in Poland trying to scam us? [16]

You can always come to some sort of an agreement with them.
As regards costs that a landlord is claiming - I would only pay on an invoice or a receipt which he should be able to provide. If not, 'karki' can advice him to do so.

Work / IT Infrastructure Engineer Expected Salary in Poland [10]

My suggestion was that any future employers in the USA may not look favourably at someone who has spent their time working in Poland (unless it is to further their own career path).They may question the reasons for doing so.

Real Estate / Polish owner lied in the contract. The area of the flat is actually 62.24 m2 and not 90 m2 as written by him [9]

@Anna2016
Just to clarify. Please never assume that you know what a person does for a living when you DO NOT.
I am not and never have been a landlord in Poland. However, I have rented a flat in Warsaw some years ago when I worked there so have an idea of what goes on.

I have my own flat in an 8 flat kamienica (tenament) in Krakow where all the owners have to pay czynsz. We pay 4.50 pln per sq metre of flat area which goes towards admin and maintenance. In the admin costs are salary costs for the administrator, finance staff, and also the costs of insurance, 5 yearly full building inspection, annual gas checks, annual chimney sweep inspections, payment for communal areas such as electricity, cleaning, clearing of snow, leaves and sweeping paths. The maintenance costs are for maintenance i.e. repairs that need to be carried out or will be carried out in the future.

In your case, each flat owner or resident of a flat each year MUST receive a full and detailed account of where the money collected from czynsz has been spent and how much is left in a reserve fund.

I have suggested on many occasions that you speak directly with the admin office who will be able to advise you on this. In the future, you will know what to ask for and before you take any legal tenancy, you will have all the readings from the meters (water,gas,electricity) shown in the contract as well as any sums due for czynsz.

Work / IT Infrastructure Engineer Expected Salary in Poland [10]

In my opinion, only take the job if you can see that you have prospects of advancement in you career - experience, working for an international firm etc.

Remember also, that when you decide to return to the US, you may not be given the credit that you deserve for having worked in what is considered a third-world country.

Real Estate / Question about Czynsz (Building maintenance fees/utilies) in Poland [129]

The problem is that somewhere in the contract/negotiations the question of czynsz must have been mentioned.
In your position I would go to the Admin office and ask about the charges.
Many years ago, when I rented in Warsaw, I had to pay DOUBLE what the owner of the flat would have paid (for czynsz) because I was a tenant in the flat. The administrators almost expect that any 'tenants' would do more damage than the actual owners. This is only an angle that you could investigate. You must go to the admin office and ask.

As regards the contract - it is almost not worth the paper it is written on.

Law / Polish wife wants me to sign a prenup [7]

I believe that she wants you to become responsible for paying her debts. She probably has no assets and if you have then they can come after you. Nice girl and a good start to a marriage...NOT.

News / Jesus Christ is Now Officially the King of Poland [164]

It really does not matter who the King of a country is. What matters is who rules the country and here Mr. K. rules (p.s. and he is never wrong).

Real Estate / Is our Landlord in Poland trying to scam us? [16]

In those cases I always find it best to employ some body-building types (karki) to go with you. Those in the know will know what I mean.

Real Estate / Polish owner lied in the contract. The area of the flat is actually 62.24 m2 and not 90 m2 as written by him [9]

To me the size of the flat is not a really important issue, except when it comes to the admin costs. This is because these costs are per square metre of the flat. Sometimes flats have an andresola (an area where you go up to a bedroom or so) which is counted in the square metres of the flat.

I am afraid that 'czynsz' (admin costs and repairs) must be paid by the person occupying the flat. You must get a formal note of how much these are and if you don't believe the landlord go to the admin office and ask.

He is not dishonest, but that is the way it is.

Life / Acknowledging apologies in Poland [3]

To me apologies in this situation would be akin to small talk, and as we know Poles are really no good at it at all.

The thing is that you say to someone....sorry/przepraszam...and then you've done your bit, even if they stare at you as if you had just landed from planet Mars.

Real Estate / Question about Czynsz (Building maintenance fees/utilies) in Poland [129]

I would not pay it at all. Ask the landlord to sue you for it. He stands no chance. You really need to have a word with the Administrator of the building. There are rules/regulations for all members of the spoldzielnia. One of them may be that he is not even allowed to rent the flat out. I would find out anyway. Tell them in the office that he is charging you that much and see what they say.

The czynsz also goes for the upkeep of the building/building repairs which include minor and major repairs such as the roof, externals.

Real Estate / Question about Czynsz (Building maintenance fees/utilies) in Poland [129]

1. The czynsz must be paid. If the tenant does not pay it, then the landlord himself becomes liable and must pay it. If the czynsz is not paid, the 'housing association' (spoldzielnia) can go to the Court in order to evict the landlord for non-payment of czynsz and take over the property, which will then be sold for the costs of czynsz and all associated court costs. This is the law.

2. You have to be very careful to read the document of what is and is not included in the czynsz. Czynsz can include payment for any communial space, i.e. cleaning, lighting, snow disposal, leave clearing in the summer, administration fund, maintenance fund. If a landlord wants to charge the tenant, the tenant has a right to know what is included. The tenant can go to the Administrator of the building and ask for details.

Law / ING charges you about 2.5% from each deposit or transfer received to your own bank account. How usual is this? [11]

For a year or two all banks have started charging for everything. My bank, Alior charges 5pln for every page of a paper statement and up to now 8pln per month for me having an account with them. I do not have credit/debit cards, but use the bank to pay monthly bills by direct debit . I tried to change but all the other banks charge more.

You must read their terms and conditions for specific charges.