Law / No residency permit or PESEL number - worried that I'm here illegally [15]

OP, The odd thing is that some people say that as an EU citizen there's no need for this and no need for that. Perhaps that is the truth, I don't know.

However, when I enquired with various officials it seemed to be the case that an EU person needs to register (zameldowanie) if staying in Poland for longer than a month (or maybe it was 3, but definitely 1 or 3 months) and that a PESEL is (according to some sources) necessary when paying tax as an employee. What seems to be the case is not every official tells you the same thing. Nevertheless, when I applied (unsuccessfully unfortunately) for the 1 suitable job I came across in many years here one of the first things the employer did was say "You must have PESEL" and they sent the forms back to me asking for it. For renting a flat, I just gave my passport. Some sources tell me if I buy a car I'll need a PESEL to register it or get the insurance. I suspect that may not be correct, but it wouldn't surprise me to have some hassle if I turned up without one at the insurance company and car registration office.

See also (for non EU probably):

udsc.gov.pl/FREQUENTLY,ASKED,QUESTIONS,809.html
(For EU)

duw.pl/pl/wersje-jezkowe/english-version/right-of-residence-in/7252,Right-of-residence-in-Poland-of-citizens-of-EU-Member-States-and-their-family-me.html

Also:

forummigracyjne.org/en/faq.php?kat=2
emn.gov.pl/ese/news/8956,dok.html (new 2012 rules)
info-migrator.pl/en.htm

Real Estate / Poland's apartment prices continue to fall [1844]

No I'm not thinking of buying that, I was making a general comment. Not sure who it was but someone on PF directly offered me one near the Rynek in 2012 or 2013, and to be honest the Rynek didn;'t & doesn't appeal. The ones I looked at (and to be honest still thought were over-priced, in the 'burbs) were almost half that figure per m2.

edited/deleted as not 100% sure I got the renting thing right yet, it might just be shops

OK, can now confirm that I didn't misunderstand the Polish and indeed some developers are renting out their newbuild apartments later this year. Only 2 so far. I think this will be at the semi-luxury end (but large blocks), however, so don't expect it to be cheap.

Law / Starting a business in Poland ( English language services ) [11]


Well, you're in Krakow, can't you gauge the local market better than most of us? I'm not being sarcastic, just sayin'.

It sounds like you have good business and organisational ability, summarise well and probably would be great at proofreading and so forth, in fact someone might even contact you via the forum and ask you to do some proofreading for them, you never know. But that said, my pure guess is that Krakow has attracted a larger than average number of English-speaking professionals and the market might already be saturated. There are certainly plenty begging for work here in Wro, just check Gumtree etc.

It might be a case of right place, right time, and a lucky break, but until that point if it comes I'm sure you are well aware it would not to be wise to give up the day job, as it were.

Real Estate / Poland's apartment prices continue to fall [1844]


Rather interesting reading, thank you for posting this as it is something also of interest to me. I'm thinking of buying but so far do not understand the price-salary relationship because everything still seems expensive in the cities. Of course, with low interest rates, this is no surprise, but some locals suggest that the prices will not fall even when rates rise. In which case either they have hidden resources to buy, are rich foreigners, or wages are going to spiral up.

Work / Salary for a senior software engineer in Poland [195]

He wants a rise?

Love / Polish Man being with English Woman - he insists on paying for EVERYTHING [36]


I remember that thread.


Yes, it happens. If anyone fancied me here I'd be very suspicious. That said, I did get the eye from a 75 year old grandma in Piotr & Pawel the other day.

I know, perhaps I should appreciate anything these days

youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=efdNwiAFE0I

Law / New Poland law -- old car insurer obligated to continue insurance on a vehicle that is between renewals? [23]

Thank you Gask7 and Warsawski, although Harry's observation is puzzling. An insurance broker said to me that the vehicle remains covered and I shouldn't worry. He was not the same broker as the other insurer and was talking about offering me a better price through his brokerage. All quite bizarre.

Real Estate / What is the Rent for 1 Bed Room Flat in Wroclaw & what is the security Deposit? [8]

It would also be accurate to say that near my old private estate. there are at least 2 x 68m2 apartments for 1300 Z£ a month plus other charges. One was on for 1700 and was reduced, the other seems to have come to market at that good value price. There is no shorage of apartments to rent at present in South Krzyki for approx. 1500 for 55m2, sometimes the landlords will reduce (some will, most unfortunately won't). More agencies are willing to negotiate their fees. 1 or 2 are charging nothing to tenants but are very busy and have no time for non Polish speakers (in my experience) unless for the more expensive flats (they just don't want to be bothered unless Polish is spoken to them).

Work / A job offer in Wroclaw - will it possible to get a neat education for my kids? [6]

Some threads to get your reading started, I'd be surprised if the answers aren't in there. It's all been discussed lots of times.

Law / New Poland law -- old car insurer obligated to continue insurance on a vehicle that is between renewals? [23]

I appreciate the posts above but need it to be explained more clearly. I don't really understand.

Real Estate / POLAND RENTAL SHORT-TERM LEASE - Tenant overstaying. [8]

Through a lawyer, may not be possible under some circumstances, I believe it takes 3-6 months.

Law / Preferred online store for purchasing Electronics Item in Poland [22]

It was a bank debit, but even if I'd used a UK credit card I've a feeling they'd say the same, ie take it back to Poland (or actually Germany, where the new reseller originally sourced it!). I can probably fix the problem myself but I was hoping the manufacturer had a legal obligation to do it throughout the EU. Sadly, doesn't look like it's poss.

Anyway, as always, thank you for taking the time to look into it. :)

Law / Preferred online store for purchasing Electronics Item in Poland [22]

Because the seller's in Poland, and I wanted to know if the TV would be returnable to an authorised manufacturer's service agent in the UK if it malfunctioned within 2 years of being purchased. I'm not sure I can imagine why else you'd imagine I'd approach the UK office of the manufacturer for warranty help -- obviously because the new seller of the TV is elsewhere in the EU.

I thought I'd said brand, not retailer. I thought brand meant brand, as in manufacturer, not as in some international retailer.
I actually said: "For example, buy a new TV that was bought in Germany or PL and then resold new on an auction site, and you'll perhaps find the UK office of the brand will say no if you ask for guarantee work."

From this, I assume you had thought I had bought the TV from a retailer in Poland which also traded in the UK. Not so. There are very few fitting that description.

It was a seller on an auction site retailing new TVs. That seller has ceased to trade. The warranty remaining is over a year. I asked the UK manufacturer if they'd deal with a repair, and they said no, and I must return to their manufacturing office in the original EU country it was bought in. They have now repeated that stance, and from your response I take it they are right.

Food / Polish equivalent of Parmesan cheese? [6]

Am surprised it's not in Tesco or EPI. It's Parmezan in Polish I think. If not, it might be 'ser tarty' by Gratino, or actually try this one kalorynka.pl/opinie/Ser-wloski-typu-Parmezan-tarty-Galbani/6960.aspx

Good luck!
Michel

Law / Preferred online store for purchasing Electronics Item in Poland [22]


Well, seems like there's no way forward as the poster from above didn't reply here nor answer my PM about it. However, his advice, doubtless well-intentioned, was appreciated, even if either not applicable or of no merit to the manufacturer.

Therefore my original observation as below was in fact far closer to reality. Buyers beware.

Law / Preferred online store for purchasing Electronics Item in Poland [22]


Here's their response to the info you kindly supplied, please note their remarkable spelling errors are not mine:

The information that you have quoted in your recent email relates to Directive 1999/44/EC of The Europen Parliment. This is in place to ensure that all member states of the EU have laws, regulations and administrative provisions in place to provide consumers with a uniform minimum level of consumer protection where the seller should be directly liable to the consumer for the conformity of the goods with the contract of sale.

In the UK this is implemented in the form of the Sales of Goods Act 1979 which give consumers a period of up to 6 years with which to seek assistance from the seller whom the product was purchased from. Unfortunately as your television was purchased from a third party supplier in Poland we cannot offer comment on the exact nature of the consumer laws in place and would recommend that you speak with the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection to find out what rights you have with the seller.

Please be aware that the manufacturers warranty supplied with your television set is independant of your consumer rights and in this instance is supplied by [big company name removed by IW] Poland. As we explained in our previous email, the manfacturers warranty would only be applicable in the country of purchase and as such we would be unable to provide warranty assistance within the UK.

Law / Preferred online store for purchasing Electronics Item in Poland [22]

Thank you. It was last year but I will do as you say, and post their response if I get one.

Law / Cheapest BUSINESS bank account in Poland for a small business? [12]

This ^
if you can recommend one, thx.

Still looking ...

Anyone got any recommendations? Where I am at present are just draining my time and money.

Law / Preferred online store for purchasing Electronics Item in Poland [22]


Just to point out, in my experience manufacturers in Poland don't entertain a guarantee on a product sourced outside of Poland and vice versa. For example, buy a new TV that was bought in Germany or PL and then resold new on an auction site, and you'll perhaps find the UK office of the brand will say no if you ask for guarantee work. This suggests to me that I'd have a hard time getting a repair done on my PL bought TV when I return to the UK, even within the 2 years warranty, because I have an email from the manufacturer in the UK saying they won't honour the warranty and I must refer to their manufacturer'ss office in Germany for service.

Law / Are European Union Funds available for people wanting to start a new business? I'm based in Poland. [16]


My word, you were up all night?? I hope you've not moved to my old flat.

Thanks for the info :)

Law / Are European Union Funds available for people wanting to start a new business? I'm based in Poland. [16]

I assume this is not available to non-Poles. But anyway, would you happen to know how long the person has to be unemployed? And if EU aliens (if that's the word, not sure) are eligible on the same terms I'd be surprised, but please put me straight if we are.

I can't believe it -- I'm eligible for a small business grant!
Wait until I tell my folks back home in Leighton Buzzard!!

Law / Are European Union Funds available for people wanting to start a new business? I'm based in Poland. [16]



I'm not sure who I owe a drink too, but if I go for this scheme I'll probably buy you both some beers or designer coffees! No one bothered to mention this to me before. It could make all the difference -- obviously.

(If you find out what it's called in Polish, please let me know.)

Law / Are European Union Funds available for people wanting to start a new business? I'm based in Poland. [16]

Timely thread for me. Thank you all.

Life / E-books in Poland? [10]

If they're pdf, they won't convert that well (usually). Convert online for free here in about 2 mins.
ebook.online-convert

Work / Is 104000 PLN (yearly) a fair salary for a Software Architect in Wroclaw? [12]

Sounds about average to me, not especially good or bad. But, that's just one opinion, and not an expert one. If it's not a rare IT skill you have, it's probably towards generous.

For non-IT jobs here, my research suggests Poles are getting about 2000-5000 a month gross/brutto.

News / Poland's economic future? [294]


The fees accountants like to charge in Wrocław are very developed, I can tell you that. One of them invited me to her office to explain why the fee would be so high. I expect that when I got there, she'd point to her 2013 BMW 4x4 car keys.

Are you an accountant, by the way? They seem to believe the hype that suits them, frankly.

Law / Poland's ZUS - how much to register and later deregister? [17]

Twenty quid's twenty quid, to some of us! Try getting an extra score out of someone spending a couple of hundred on furniture or owt, you'll have a devil's own job.

It's yet another 100PLN and not a penny earned yet.

Anyway, 'nough moaning from me about 100PLNs. I know others will regard it as pocket change.

Law / Poland's ZUS - how much to register and later deregister? [17]


Puts me off when I add it to the other expenses, I can tell ya. As does being hit with a ZUS bill of circa 400PLN a month from day one.

Likely to discourage more than 1 newcomer who's a small acorn too, I should wager. No small acorns, no might oaks.


Sure, and it all seems as clear as mud. So, it's a small fee after all? Or maybe not. Yet the website says FREE in capitals.

The Migrant pl website seems to be EU-connected, it says 100PLN. The CEIDG site, apparently Poland's govt site, says no fee.

CEIDG is separate from GUS then? You don't need to register with GUS if you start a business, so CEIDG is correct when it says FREE like that?

Didn't think so. One of the websites is wrong. 100PLN is 100PLN. Every little helps. Or doesn't.

UK, Ireland / Calling all Brits! Travel in England advice [32]


I was going to suggest a pasta meal at home for about that price, but you'd probably know the recipe anyway. When I'm in the UK and feeling tight-fisted, I pop along to Asda and buy some of their frozen stuff and cobble it together with some pasta for probably a quid a throw. But, I might be eating smaller portions than someone who is in training.

I agree on the pizzas, of course.