Law / Are there social benefits for foreign families living in Poland? [9]

This website states that for Families with 3 or more children there may be discounts/benefits.
Krakowksa Karta Rodzinna - Krakow Family Card - allows you to have discounts to certain facilities.
However, reading the forms you have to complete in order to get the card, one requirement is that you must work and submit your tax papers within the bounds of Krakow, there are many other requirements.

Classifieds / Where are the English Speaking Expats in Krakow ? [6]

I read somewhere that on Wednesday evenings, some meet up at the Budda Bar off the Main Square.

Law / Giving notice that you are recording someone - Do they have this in Poland? [14]

Whenever anyone calls me (public utilities companies, salespeople) and tells me that the conversation is being recorded 'for training purposes', I always say, "please hold on whilst I get my recording equipment and I too will record the conversation 'for training purposes'". It's amazing how that throws them.

Law / Laundromats in Poland? Good business venture or not? [90]

There are a few self-service laundries in Krakow. Best one is Frania on the corner of Dietla and Starowislna.

Life / How and where do I return empty alcohol bottles in Poland? [17]

You're right, of course.
But in my case I could only afford beer at 2.39 or 2.59 PLN per bottle, not one for 7 PLN or more. I should have been more specific.

Life / How and where do I return empty alcohol bottles in Poland? [17]

The deposit on beer bottles is 35groszy on each bottle. This is shown on the bottle itself. I know this for sure, as I have spent the last 3 weeks buying beer and returning the empty bottles.

When you buy any beer the deposit is added to the price advertised. You must retain your receipt if you want actual money back.

Love / English women and polish man who ran off with my life savings [22]

You have NO CHANCE WHATSOEVER of recovering any money.

1. Did you have a signed contract with him when you deposited the money into his bank account, that he would be liable to return your share in case of a break up? NO

2. How can you PROVE that it was your own money? Even if you withdrew the cash from somewhere else - you cannot prove that when you paid it into his bank, it was the same money. Here, even your completed ISA or any other evidence does not PROVE that it was your money.

3. Who in their right mind, would allow such a thing to happen. He was only using you for somewhere to stay, but had his wits about him to get at your money. I bet the account was only in his name too.

4. You don't know where he lives in Poland, don't know his family - and even if you track them down, which I assume is possible - what will you do then? Ask for your money back - he will laugh at you and tell you to take him to court.

5. A good solicitor/lawyer will tell you to kiss the money goodbye and stop wasting your time on this man. Chalk it up to experience and don't do it again.

Love / Family Friend Daughter from Poland and I started talking (long distance) [11]

Have you thought that the girl might be using you to get to America?
Go and meet her by all means, but be careful.

Real Estate / Flat in Krakow near Wavel - how much to rent a 100m2 apartment? [11]

I've found an apartment in Poland, but a little bit expensive.

Real Estate / Flat in Krakow near Wavel - how much to rent a 100m2 apartment? [11]

I saw some on gumtree-krakow.

Real Estate / Landlord`s obligations regarding repairing things that belong to the house in Poland [15]

What I would do is to tell the landlord that you have to put your rent as expenses on the tax form. This should do the trick. If the tax office DOES NOT know of his little scheme to cheat them, then I am sure that he would not want them to know.

I would have a talk with him, and if he is being unreasonable - find somewhere else to stay.
I still think that my idea of NOT paying him at all - stop the monthly transfers is the best. He will soon repair things. It will be very hard for him to throw you out-as you have evidence that he is cheating the tax authorities.

He would have to pay at least 20% on the rent and bills (total amount you pay). Anyway you agreed to pay 800, so pay 800 if you don't like being mean and tell him you will pay the rest when he oresents the gas bills.

DO NOT be soft with him, he is treating you like a piece of sh........

Real Estate / Landlord`s obligations regarding repairing things that belong to the house in Poland [15]

I DO hope that your landlord is declaring the rental income which you pay him to the taxman. If not, you could perhaps draw this to his attention.

I would ask him for a formal contract and once you have that, make sure that you have evidence of paying your rent directly to him and then go to the nearest tax office and let them know what's happening.

If your landlord does not want to repair anything, STOP any rental payments immediately - and see what he does. If he wants to throw you out, he will have to go to court which will take about 2 years. What I would do now is tell him what he has to do or you will STOP the rent.

Life / Problems with a dentist in Poland - is there any means of redress? [6]

Firstly, you would have to prove that the dentist cheated you. Do you have X-rays or any other evidence?
You have no receipt for the work.
It would be very hard to convince someone that you (or your friend) thought there was something wrong, said nothing for a few months and continued to go there - and even paid the dentist for the privilege of being cheated.

Put it down to experience - as, at best, it's your word against the dentist's and unless you can prove that you are better qualified than the dentist - how can you build a case?

Tough- but your friend brought it on herself.

Work / Salary for native speaker in Poland (customer service job) [7]

Wow - 3,000 gross, which works out at around 2,000 nett . How you can live on this is easy to find, apartments around 1500 (with bills), and with the rest (500) you can really live.

I know thousands have to live for less - so no comments on this aspect plkease- but if I was emigrating to another country, I would certainly want a bit better standard of living which 500 PLN per month can provide.

Travel / Transport information in Krakow? [7]

I think the prices of tickets have gone up - check before you board anything.

Work / English qualifications to start Teaching English In Poland. Is degree of some sort needed? [123]

You must have at least the basics: CELTA, DELTA. It is possible to get those in the UK, but if not, in Krakow. Search on the web for information. Look also on 'dave's esl cafe' to give you an idea of what is currently happening in the teaching market. It is SATURATED in Krakow.

Work / Salary for native speaker in Poland (customer service job) [7]

You DO realize that your friend will be working in a call-centre. The fact that he is a native speaker is nothing special, as there are plenty of native speakers in both towns, who are engaged as call-centre staff.

Real Estate / English speaking Estate Agents In Poland? [18]

You might be better in renting directly from the owner. You will find hundreds of flats on 'gumtree'. If you use an agent, they usually take 'one months rent' as their fee.

Your rights as a tenant directly under the owner and under the estate agent are exactly the same. Zilch.

Law / Divorce in Poland - fault - rights to property predating the marriage [34]

You would think they could afford someone to translate it a bit better than this.
From what I can gather, the wife will CERTAINLY be entitled to half of the increased value of the property since purchase. I would not take that as gospel, and also someone would have to value the property now (better get something organized now) and then assess the increase.

However, as she has children, she will stay in the house and not onyl that, but unless the man has a 'really good' lawyer, he will end up paying the bills for the house.

UK, Ireland / postgradute studies in the UK- student finance [7]

The internet is inundated with information on this subject. How you, a student weith a BA cannot find anything - is beyond me.

Law / Divorce in Poland - fault - rights to property predating the marriage [34]

You did not make it clear whether the pre-owned property was the one in whcih the wife and children currently live. If this is the case - you can 'wave goodbuy' to any notion of pre-owning it. She is entitled to half, as she has worked and contributed to the house during the time she was having children, whilst you were 'playing away'

If it is another property - one that you rent out - (which is what I assumed above) then it is ok - as long as the wife and children remain in the marital home.

A good solicitor will tell you that you have to buy her out - i.e. give her half the value of the house, but until the time that children finish their education (i.e. leave university), she has a right to remain in the home. High price to pay for a 'bit on the side'. Not only that, but you ewill have to pay for the children and your new partners earnings (if she is working) will be taken into account when calculating child support.

Law / Divorce in Poland - fault - rights to property predating the marriage [34]

'a man has a property before marriage' - you MUST be able to prove this, by documented evidence, this applies to anyone with 'assets' before marriage.

Work / 4,000 zl in Piła as a teacher - enough to live? [14]

I assume that you only get 60% of the gross = 2,400 PLN - not exceedingly high, but could do it.

Life / Cost of living in Mragowo, Poland [6]

There are numerous posts here relating the cost of food, accommodation and other costs. The short answer is - it all depends. Make sure you have a 'proper, official contract' which you can understand and which will not leave you stranded after a few months, when you realize that a) you don't like the work, and b) you cannot fit in - or don't like the area, surroundings, people that you have to come across.

Money should not be your driving force - if there are no prospects after 3 months - what will you do?

Life / Cost of living in Mragowo, Poland [6]

I would seriously question any company who is promising you 5,000 PLN take-home pay.

Law / Poland's job offers advertising salary less than a minimum wage? [15]

Why do you automatically, (without giving us any concrete evidence that I can see), assume that I know 'nothing' about Germany.

My point, which you so obviously missed (in your anger to get back at me) was that - in Germany there is no minimum wage and the unemployed figures given by ther Government are minimised by those who work at the (as you say) 1Euro jobs.

Law / Poland's job offers advertising salary less than a minimum wage? [15]

Exploitation - in Germeny -....Get REAL.
In Germany, the unemployed are MADE to take jobs at below the minimum wage. 'Made' by being offered the job and if they don't take it, their benefit is withdrawn.

The difference in pay up to an amount decided by the stte is made up by the state.
In essence, the unemployed - now working are paid (wage and benefit) the same amount as someone who is freshly out of work. In this way the Government reduces the level of unemployment, the employers get someone at half-price and everybody is happy. You work, but you get the same amount as someone who is not working. The benefit of someone 'not working' is only paid for a minimum amount of time.

Love / Woman 23, man 47 years old. What do you think about ? [162]

It is better to have loved and lost than not to have loved at all.

Love / Woman 23, man 47 years old. What do you think about ? [162]

Sorry, comments got confused. It was Deboramaja who as a 47 year old woman is having a wild time with a 21 years old man.

Me, when I had the intimate pleasure of a man 28 years younger than me - it was purely for sex.
Not every man wants children and responsibilities - some now and again want to enjoy themselves before official a full-blown relationship. Nowadays, relationships and having children does not debar any man from seeking his plesures elsewhere and with a somewhat older woman they are sure that she will not come at them with a supposed pregnancy.

Different strokes for different folks.

We cannot tell people how they should live their lives and what it is that they MUST DO in life.

Love / Woman 23, man 47 years old. What do you think about ? [162]

Well, I'm a 47 year old woman with a 21 year old man...life is good! LOL!

I once had a man who was 28 years younger than me - and boy....did he teach me some new things......nothing makes you feel young like a young, rippling, muscle-bound body of a good-looking man who finds you attractive. LOL