UK, Ireland / How might Britain`s withdrawal from EU affect Poles there and here? [474]

Theoretically a lot in possible. In practice,a lot less. Going against the vote means end of political career for those forwarding such a movement and very likely parties as a whole. So thats a non starter. In case of the cons, Cameron has said he will follow the result of the referendum, if would force a snap election and certainly give cons no chance of re election whoever they put in charge. The public would have it in black and white that they were never given a chance and would likely vote for UKIP and the fringe nationalist parties rather than the main two. Certainly it would swing a lot of votes away from those two parties. But as I say, almost zero chance. More likely a second referendum i a few years than that, but things would need to become worse in the UK whilst at the same time better in Europe for that to happen. And with the EU unable to address fundamental issues, they arent going to start growing rapidly anytime soon.

UK, Ireland / How might Britain`s withdrawal from EU affect Poles there and here? [474]

EU runs a surplus with the UK and exports to the EU from the UK are falling year by year (the fact that the UK export industries are uncompetitive is a seperate issue, but the bulk of the economy is driven by services of which the vast majority is domestically driven). Running a surplus means essentially the EU sells more to the UK than the UK sells to the EU. If both sides slap on tariffs (which they wont) the EU loses out.

Peterweg I was fine reading your argument until I reached the comment about France taking over the finance industry. You have just been outed as a lunatic. I will no longer be able to read anything you say and take it seriously.

UK, Ireland / How might Britain`s withdrawal from EU affect Poles there and here? [474]

There will always be individual cases where people are going to be worse off, but the UK as a whole has more to gain from leaving the UK. Rather, it can better distribute the resources that it allocates to the EU, theres no question. No trade will actually be gained or lost. The world is too connected, to interdependant to allow for lost trade. Theres no reason the cannot participate in make of the projects currently undertaken by the EU, but it would be taken on a case by case basis. Being on the periphery of the European integration theme and not being part of the euro, it makes sense for the UK, but the benefits wouldnt be obvious for the likes of France or Holland for example.

News / Poland's Sejm passes anti-terrorist act; opposition negate [86]


Who is surpressing this information? The present government has a free rein and can do as it pleases. Surely they could overcome these so called surpressors? Yet even PIS distance themselves from such talk. Poland in the 80's was in dire straits. Only those few in charge had something, everyone else lived from hand to mouth and werent allowed to have anything. The huge foreign interest cartel you talk about is in fact the EU, it provided average Poles with an opportunity to make something of themselves if they wanted too. Yes multinationals came in and profited, but Poles now had the cash to spend and spent it on what they wanted to buy, just like other europeans.

And most present in the 80's will tell you Poland have moved forward considerably since that time. The few to complain will be the ones that life left behind, almost exclusively their own doing. But every country has those who just complain, or have no ambition, or prefer to drink, rather than to move forward.

Without living and working in Poland, you cannot have a proper idea and therefore be in a position to comment on what is actually happening on the streets of the cities in everyday life.

UK, Ireland / How might Britain`s withdrawal from EU affect Poles there and here? [474]

I for one will be voting for brexit. Makes sense personally for me, its a net gain for the uk and while its might cause some upheaval for the core EU nations, those on the periphery without the euro such as Poland wont be negatively affected net, when fust settles.

Law / Polish Income Tax Payable on Inheritance for UK Citizen [26]

sorry that should be shouldnt concern you as a resident.

Law / Polish Income Tax Payable on Inheritance for UK Citizen [26]

Poles being poles will sell their grandmothers for 10zl. If you speak polish i would contact the tax office directly by telephone and ask them to outline the exact asset in question and who it concerns. 19% is the linear income tax and should concern you as a non resident in this case. Sales tax on property is 19.5% and is a different matter.

Law / Polish Income Tax Payable on Inheritance for UK Citizen [26]

Inheritance tax normally is dealt with with 6 months of transfer but with sales they can take up to 5 years to deal with any case. If you inherited and then sold within 5 years then you ffectively pay 19.5% on the sale price (usually its 19.5 of sale minus purchase price but in case of inheritance purchase is zero).

Law / Your experience as a foreigner running a small business in Poland [43]


This is why you get 10% yield in poland as opposed to half at best or more likely low singles in the developed west. Cos za cos as they say. So if you are not getting close to 10% a year return walk away as you would be taking on higher risk for the same lower return as a lower risk region in Europe. Risk must go hand in hand with reward, thats the yardstick everyone uses because it works in the long run.

Law / Question Regarding Property "Sales Tax" in Poland (Canadian and Polish Citizenship) [3]

There would have been no inhertitance tax to pay on acquiring the property but if was sold within 5 years of being signed over after the death of his father then you are liable to pay tax of 19.5% of the sale price given that the difference between the sale price and acquisition price is effectively the same as the sale price in this case. Im not a lawyer but thats first base in terms of sales tax if you like.

Urzad Skarbowy will send letters and eventually at the end of the process there will be court summons. However it will probably end there while the father doesnt travel to Poland. If he does travel there is a risk he could be stopped at the border in regards to the case.

Real Estate / Buying property at the Bailiff / Enforcement Agent Auction (Komornik Sądowy) in Poland [20]

Over the years looked at a few properties under the hammer so to speak but never interested me enough to bid for one, so cant offer much help. I would say be wary and do a complete check of every possible detail/variable as I have heard of gminy leaving out various details and people ending up with listed properties resulting in vastly increased turnaround costs. But there are so many great properties available via traditional avenues, its never really been a problem for me finding a good deal. Especially lately, its a buyers market and will be for some time so you can offer well under the asking prices which are often very unrealistic. Many have a noz pod gardlem as they say so its always worth a shot. And buying cash means you can press even harder.

Re leases if its from the local council you can usually buy them out if you plan on holding the property for a period of more than 10 years.

Life / Trying to remember Polish movie [5]

Maybe Tato, starring Boguslaw Linda. His kid gets kidnapped and he chases down the bandits but cant remeber how the beginning went down to be honest. Or it could be another one of his films Sara, where there are some tragic consequences for his kid after he picks up his dads handgun.

Real Estate / Changes to mortgages for EU citizens in Poland with foreign income. [34]


Absolutely. In most cases yes, for a quick deal, as organising a loan from scratch can take between a couple of weeks to a month or more depending on relations with you bank. If its been on the market for a while or if theres a pressing debt issue the owner is experiencing a quick cash deal can be the carrot on the stick. But yes its true, often there is no concept of time is money or opportunity cost in this country and some poles will keep an unrealistic asking price for years and then sell for peanuts when the going gets unexpectedly tough for them. So it can be frustrating sometimes but as i say its a buyers market now and plenty of great properties to go for.

Real Estate / Changes to mortgages for EU citizens in Poland with foreign income. [34]

As peterweg says, your best option is to pay cash. Its a buyers market, it has been and will be for some time. Liquidity is in most cases nothing like in the UK. Often properties are listed for sale overpriced and continue to be listed as such for a number of years. There are properties which have seen the asking price fall by 30% or more in the last 2 or 3 years. You can get some really daft prices. Often time is not money in Poland and it takes people a while to drop their prices.

Real Estate / Changes to mortgages for EU citizens in Poland with foreign income. [34]

Foreign income is more of a risk on many fronts, but you have to remember banks arent here to help people, they are out firstly to preserve capital and secondly to make a profit in the most efficient way possible.

We had a couple of foreign income buyers turned down (non eu in both cases) both pretty wealthy based on polish standards. Establishing a true picture of a foreigners debt abroad is quite difficult and not worth the hassle for something as small as a loan for a flat.

Study / Primary school education for children (PRIVATE) [14]


That I didnt say and its a different question entirely.


Everyone deserves a chance at an education. But bringing together those that show the most talent and want to learn increases the chances of getting even better results. Exam based, fee paying schools in the UK tend to attract the best teachers. The get paid well and dont have to worry about disruptive pupils in the vast majority. Life is competitive and the kids learn this from an early age, each one trying to get the best results in the class. Often in state schools kids get bullied for being seen working hard and this is a problem for the rest of the class as well as the teachers and the school.

The one I attended had the post playschool entrance exam, then the post primary then post gsce. So kids could try at all levels to get in. Scholarships were provided for those that showed particular talent (not just academic) but whose parents couldnt afford the fees. Ive no shame to admit I wasnt one of the brightest there academically but its better to be at the bottom of the top 5% than the top of the bottom 5% and you got a whole lot more from the school than just study. Certainly going forward, universities at the time looked at applicants differently as did prospective employers. You pretty much had a network for life and its one of the aspects I miss about the UK.

Study / Primary school education for children (PRIVATE) [14]

A mate of mine went to a fee paying private school. But it wasnt entrance exam based and really was just for wealthier kids, with the school promising more attention to detail but in reality the results were no better than elsewhere. I think a proper private education along the lines of whats on offer in the UK, would be a good draw and beneficial to the quality of education. The teachers would be dealing with the brightest students, without having to waste time on those not wanting to learn. So this would be a draw for both good teachers and parents. But it would need to be entrance exam based. Also if possible, to use the more upper level of examining board/curriculum in order to really test the students and that would in time be favourably looked on by universities.

Work / Average salary in Poland for PhD in IT [40]

8 to 10k per month per million invested. Rental. Thats before capital gains. Not impossible but tough to make big money in Poland working for someone else.

Life / What don't you like about Poland or Polish People? [117]

Chinese make want the West demanded. We wanted cheap so we got cheap. But they are just as capable in making high quality products to compete on that front with the West. The whole package. Lenovo is a case in point. We just stereotype Chinese products as cheap and of low quality.

News / Cameron's EU reform good for Poland [95]

Inflation is the holy grail. Something all central bankers want, but none have achieved for tennyears now. And the uk will get it for free! Government and corp wages are usually linked in some way to cpi while lower sterling will encourage investment here over europe as the foreign entity gets more for its buck. That said sterling will just be short term phenomenon, but something to take advantage of and monetise all the same.

News / Cameron's EU reform good for Poland [95]

HSBC said 15% vs a basket. Anyway thats not the full story, they just told half. Dolny dont worry about sterling.

News / Cameron's EU reform good for Poland [95]

The city will move us forward, they are the ones in control anyway. Like it or loathe it, it provides a great investment environment. Thats why Londons a draw and will continue to be. Its no coincidence that the current mayor Boris and likely future mayor Zac Goldsmith are both for the brexit.

News / Cameron's EU reform good for Poland [95]

Its actually one that the money markets attach a fair amount of weight to. In any case, its too close to call so people are taking precautionary action.

News / Cameron's EU reform good for Poland [95]

Yesterdays Yougov for the Times (UK), 38% leave 37% stay 25% undecided. Taken after Camerons EU deal but before Boris' commitment to leave camp.

In addition:

A second poll, ComRes, indicated 51% to stay 39% to leave, 10% undecided. This was a phone poll while the Yougov was internet based. If this was a picture it would tell a thousand words.

News / Cameron's EU reform good for Poland [95]

Took over europe and not a life lost, well for a while at least until the crisis which wasnt sourced in house. Its marketing at its greatest. Convincing nations they needed the euro. I was once told all geniuses end up salesmen. I laughed it off. Well maybe I was mistaken.

News / Cameron's EU reform good for Poland [95]

Collapse in sterling tells its own story - bookies amongst others will be hedging their exposure through sterling. Todays letter in the FT from almost 200 large corps supporting stay contained some notable omissions. Threatening people with job losses is going to be the stay camps best way to attract votes, as its a huge consideration for most, but it could be an outsider such as ISIS or another leg of the immigrant crisis in europe that swings the vote, as its immigration that has driven most to the brexit side. The stay camp will be hoping for a quiet spring/summer and hoping people behave themselves.

News / Cameron's EU reform good for Poland [95]

Ladbrokes took 20 grand today at 15/8, biggest bet on brexit so far they say.
As for the Scotish vote, there was an important reason why the polls suggested a marginal win for leaving the UK, while the actual result was otherwise. Not going to go into details and dopeoples job for them but it will affect current polls and the brexit vote in the same way, but the swing/error will favour the exit camp. Stay camp need to be leading 55/45 before the vote to avoid defeat in the actual vote.

News / Cameron's EU reform good for Poland [95]

Beggars cannot be choosers. Poland is much better off in the EU as it requires inwards investment so it has to take the bad with the good, accepting it cannot force the agenda. The UK can bat for itself and can choose to go alone officially, although it will remain integrated in europe whether brexit or no brexit.

News / Cameron's EU reform good for Poland [95]

People dont matter unfortunately, nations are always guided by those lining their pockets. German companies gained greatly from the euro, at the expense of those of other european nations. Germany and only Germany got to borrow at ultra low rates, while having an artificially weak currency. A dream situation from an economic perspective and one which cemented Germanys place at the top of Europe.