Life / In Poland, are women and girls obligated to wear head scarves in church? [36]

A little bit aside:
At one time women were not allowed to wear trousers in church, but all that has gone by the wayside.
Nowadays it is very hard to get any congregations in church (for whatever reasons), so rules, which were enforced years ago have had to be relaxed so that those women who wanted to wear trousers and be without hair covering are allowed to come in.

Law / Can a UK company earn in PLN? Foreign currency and mortgage in Poland. [22]

>>>>This statement is clearly false.
I agree with this. It only goes to show that you can't trust people even though they claim to be Polish Tax advisers, as they get things WRONG. The adviser has probable used the 'cut and paste' method from various sources without seeing or understanding the bigger picture.

Life / A rumour about the need to give passport copy when you buy a prepaid sim number in Poland? [23]

I don't like it either. They say it is to prevent acts of terrorism, but in reality I believe that they want to listen to your calls (and know who is making them), so be careful what you say. With a pre-paid they have no idea who the person is, although they can trace the number to a location.

Life / A rumour about the need to give passport copy when you buy a prepaid sim number in Poland? [23]

This is something that is currently going through the Polish Parliament.
From January 2017, it is likely that all prepaid phones will have to be registered with the phone service provider - i.e. you will have to tell them your number and give them your ID otherwise the service will be cut off. This is something that you have to watch out for. If you are not registered the phone (even though you have credits on) will be cut off.

This applies to Polish phones only.

Law / Can a UK company earn in PLN? Foreign currency and mortgage in Poland. [22]

Any complains about banks willingness or ability to grant mortgages - please refer to the Government. Banks do not make the rules - they only follow them.

Whether you think this is fair or unfair has no bearing on their ability to function.

Life / Which receipts of over 10zl participate in Official National Lottery to win an Opel Astra in Poland? Thank you [20]

All receipts over 10pln are counted and can be input into the lottery. For each one you enter, you will receive a number. The draw is from these numbers and all winners are notified by email.

In fact at the beginning of the lottery, all receipts given out in supermarkets/shops disappeared as they were taken by people so that they could be entered in the lottery.

Law / Can a UK company earn in PLN? Foreign currency and mortgage in Poland. [22]

I have carefully read the document. In a nutshell.
1. If you are a Polish resident and receive income from the UK which has been taxed at source (eg old age pension, private pension) - this is taken account of in the calculation of your Polish income. I believe that she is wrong is assuming that foreign income will NOT be taxed at all. You must be very careful about this. The Polish authorities will ask you what your income is - you must tell the truth as they will check with the UK.

2. If you do not conduct business in Poland you do not pay ZUS, however she is wrong in assuming that you will be entitled to the same medical care. You must tell the UK authorities (National Insurance and Income Tax) that you will be a resident of another country. Usually, any medical care given to UK residents under the guise of the European card is recoverable from the UK, but as you will NOT be a UK resident they will not be able to claim and will bill you for the services. Remember that you might hold a UK medical card to which you are NO longer entitled as you are NOT a UK resident. You may be entitled to a Polish medical card - but I very much doubt it.

4. In your case, I would pay the 40pln and get advice straight from the Ministry and then get a really good solicitor to ensure that the Ministry will be liable for any incorrect financial advice they have given you.

Work / Is 6500 PLN salary gross enough to live on for a small family in Wroclaw? [20]

Yes, it will be enough to SURVIVE on, nothing more.

Work / A PhD Moving to Kraków, Poland! Salary, housing, spendings, nightlife, English knowledge. [14]

1. If the salary 3K is gross, it is NOT enough to have a 'decent' life. What exactly is 'decent' to you. To me, somewhere dry with a roof, hot water and warmth in winter is sufficient...but to you?

2. Most business people and students speak English or other languages - no problems there.
3. You can supplement your income by giving private lessons. (Search on gumtree to find out the current rates going). However, bear in mind that the market is saturated with others seeking a limited number of clients.

4. Prices for groceries...piece of string, some shop at Biedronka, some at supermarkets, some in local shops/markets...your choice depends on how much money you have.

5. Learning Polish will be a challenge, but you can pick up basics in a few days.
6. Search the forum for other minutiae details, such as what to do, where to go. You will enjoy it.

Law / Can a UK company earn in PLN? Foreign currency and mortgage in Poland. [22]

You are VERY much mistaken, if you think that the EU card will cover you for healthcare if you are 'resident' in Poland.

Anyway, you can believe me or believe me not, but the first time you need a doctor or a prescription for anything or a dentist for your toothache or an extraction - see how far your EU car gets you.

You are right of course, that if you do not have any earnings in Poland you do not have to pay tax or Zus. But then what exactly will you live on...here the tax office will start to question you on what income/funds you have.....this is the problem. As a fully-fledged resident you will have to complete the tax forms at the end of the tax year....and then the problems will start.

The situation is totally different if you go to Poland for a holiday, but are not 'resident' of Poland.

You must ask the right questions, and the fact that someone has given you something on paper means absolutely nothing - will they be liable for any consequences arising from their advice. I do NOT think so.

Law / Can Polish inheritance law override the intention of UK wills? [5]

I assumed that all property/monies were in England. If there is anything in Poland, Polish rules apply.

Study / What is the best medical school in Poland? [33]

And you have evidence of this....how?
Perhaps if you had bothered to read my post CAREFULLY and not jump to any conclusions, you might have realized that I wrote 'when they are still doing their specialization'.

After that time, YES, I agree with you...that doctors may a fair whack. I have myself used private doctors, had a private operation too - so have a basic idea of their charges.

Study / What is the best medical school in Poland? [33]

I have just read that newly qualified doctors earn between 2,2K to 2,.7 net a month. This is the money you receive in hand. Now, if you think that this is fine then o.k. Most of them have a second job in order to survive. They do this during the period of 'specialization' which I think lasts 5 years.

Something to aspire to.....(I don't think so).

Law / Can Polish inheritance law override the intention of UK wills? [5]

As you are not married, the remaining partner will not be entitled to the tax-free inheritance allowance and will have to pay tax on the estate, which will be considerable. Consult a solicitor immediately.

If both of you reside in UK, then UK law applies.

Real Estate / Best Mortgage Lender in Poland? [25]

Go to any bank and see what they say. Then go to another bank, then go to another bank. After you've been to about 6 banks, consider your options.

Work / Electrician seeking work in Warsaw. Is it in demand in Poland? [16]

There are a few issues you need to consider:
1.Why do you think most electricians have left Poland to work/live somewhere else?
2. Find out exactly how much electricians earn and also find companies who would be willing to employ you.
3. I don't know about the formalities of whether you need a visa, working permit but all this needs to be considered.
4. Poland is not the land of milk and honey that you imagine. It is totally different (like black and white) coming for a holiday and y working. The bureaucracy will get to you at the end.

Real Estate / Bank for mortgage in Poland? - I have an excellent credit ratings [4]

It is very unlikely that any bank will give you a mortgage...You can, of course try and wait for their answer, which will be 'NO'.

News / Good-change government raising minimum wage in Poland, cutting SB pensions [213]

>>>>>How stupid do they think voters are?
A politician once, not realizing that the microphone was still on said:...Ciemny narod wszystko kupi (and in English....Stupid, uneducated people will buy anything), or ...and this is so much better....Mushrooms need $hit thrown at them. (Here 'mushrooms' refers to people being kept in the dark)

Life / Advice needed on Dental implant in Poland [119]

I am currently in the process of having an implant. Before anyone decides on any dentist/practice you must see examples of their work and ask people who have had work done. You must ensure that the practitioner is experienced sufficiently in the work you are asking him to do, that there is a guarantee which comes with the work and that they carry sufficient insurance.

Do not rely on any reviews on any websites.

Work / Music Teacher Career in Poland [14]

There are many Music Teachers in Poland who are currently out of work. You have to consider what YOU can offer that they do not. Speaking the language is the basic requirement for employment in any public school.

Law / How much do Polish people actually pay in taxes? [12]

I believe that once you come to live in Poland permanently, (i.e. more than 186 days a year) and have your base in Poland (i.e. prime residency), then no matter what citizenship you have you are obliged to pay Polish taxes on income earned/gained in Poland.

Even employees (some from outside the EU) who come to work in Poland for a specified time have to pay Polish taxes.

Law / How much do Polish people actually pay in taxes? [12]

Taxes due are calculated at 18% and 32%.
Up to 85,528 pln per year you pay 18%, and for anything above this you pay 32%.
So if your earnings are above 85,528 per year you pay 14,839.02 pln in taxes plus 32% for anything above 85,528 pln.

Travel / Rail Travel in Poland - getting to Zakopane from Krakow Airport [14]

I know the buses from Krakow to Zakopane are only 14 or 15 pln. Not that much really.

Study / Which Polish qualification? GCSE? [3]

Wherever you live in England there may be Saturday schools which teach Polish. I know (have spoken to someone today) that they prepare you for GCSE and A Levels in Polish. Look for Polish congregations near you.

Language / Use of Kochanie in Polish [37]

same as the usage of 'sweetheart'

Classifieds / Good Polish divorce Lawyer [8]

No matter how good a divorce lawyer you get - the woman will get everything, so do not waste your money on 'good lawyers' and just give everything to her right now. In the long run - it will be cheaper.

Love / Polish Wedding present - how much money for the couple? [40]

@Chemikiem
You may think it's wrong to give money in this way (many people may also think that), but you 'cannot beat the system.' It is part of a tradition in Poland to give money, in the same way that it is part of the Polish character to pawn/sell everything they have in order to give their child a wedding in order to impress the neighbours/guests at the wedding. This is how it is.

Generally Polish weddings cost 50-80 thousand pln.

Love / Polish Wedding present - how much money for the couple? [40]

The bottom line of all this is: The young couple will know how much each person gave them and they will tell everyone else. As I understand this money is for the actual couple themselves to have a good start in life.

Put yourself in their shoes - how much would you expect from someone else.
I agree to give 200 pln is better not to give anything at all.

Genealogy / Baranowo Parish Records after 1902 [14]

Records from 1902 had to survive TWO World Wars. Some did not. The best way would be for a family member to undertake this research.
If you employ a 'professional' he will take you to the cleaners and get no results.

Law / Do foreign students graduated from Polish university need work permit before finding job? [24]

Polish Universities want to earn money from international students. That is all.
They are NOT concerned whether you get a job or not after you finish. It is not THEIR problem. In the same way they are not concerned whether Polish nationals get a job after they finish their studies.