Law / Car Insurance in Poland - any company that will honour British no claim bonus discount? [30]

I have to agree with polskijack, I am insured with Warta (PZU were more expensive) and they honoured my full no-claims from the UK. The cost is about the same as the UK which supprised me because of the wage differential. I think I can understand this for two reasons, the first being the amount of accidents that I see on Polish roads and the second being the lack of insurance companies to force some competition into this market.

UK, Ireland / Polish immigration in UK [491]

How do you come out of the EU?, the government you voted for has signed away all your rights,. Do not say that you never voted for them because somebody did, thats how they got into power. Either you, your friends or relatives voted in these idiots and now you are stuck with the consequences. The sane people realised this 5 years ago and left the country. Only the idiots are left to pick up the bill!!! The rich have offshore accounts, the por cannot pay taxes, so, who do you think is left to pick up the tab?. Get real!!!!

Lennyd, You are a pratt of the highest order. Stop blaming the Polish for trying to better themselves and start looking at your own countrymen for the failures in the system. Never mind the jobs that you think have been stolen, look at the "Bilions of pounds" which are being spent in Iraq and Afganistan", for "WHAT", what benefit to Great Britain?. WE will give you democracy even if we have to kill you to accept it!!!!, is that what life is about?

UK, Ireland / What do you hate about England and English people? [142]

Hey AvJoeUK!!!!!!!!! The reason for the English having bad teeth, is, that the so called FREE National Health Service will not pay the dentists enough to even cover their costs. This in turn, means, that dentists will only treat private paying patients. To hide this fact, the UK goverment pays Polish dentists to fly to the UK to treat poor people. I have heard mentioned, the sum of 48,000 PLN being paid for a weeks work.

Love / The age of consent in Poland is only 15 [147]

You expect me to believe some rediculous things!!!!!.now, you expect me to believe you have friends!!!!!!!!

Law / Help collecting Karta Pobytu in Warsaw [49]

I would appreciate if someone could answer the following questions for me, regarding, the "Karta Pobytu":-
My card is due for renewel in 2009 and as these cards are not necessary for Polish people living in the UK, why do I need one here.

I have a 2 year old child (who is registered as Polish), if I do not renew the card will the authourities ask me to leave the country and if so, who will support my partner and child.

As with (jones101), I invest money into Poland and take nothing out, I also pay a voluntary contribution to the ZUS health fund.
Where are these recipricol agreements that the EU were supposed to have implemented? There seems to be a lack of information from the Polish authourities on these issues. Every department will tell you something different!!!!.

Law / Help collecting Karta Pobytu in Warsaw [49]

Thank you Harry, but as I said, nobody seems to know. By the way, I am English and living in Poland. I was not born in Wales, Scotland or Ireland, that only leaves one little bit, England. If that is not PC enough for anybody, tough!!!!!

UK, Ireland / What do Polish people think about Wales and Welsh people? [191]

I like Wales and I think its wrong of the Japanese to hunt them!!!!....lol
Shelly, wos wrong with Bristle?

News / Poland - Third World Country?? [300]

One of the few joys for me in Poland, is to be able to watch the UEFA cup and Champions League matches. Last night I watched a thrilling game, between Getafe and Bayern Munich. At full time, the result stood at 1-1 so it was necessary to play a further 30 minutes of extra time. This was also played at a fast and furious pace with both sides scoring a further 2 goals each. At the end of extra time, both teams had to take part in a penalty shoot out to decide who progressed to the next round. This was when those P***ks at "N Channel" decided to cease transmission. On calling their helpline, I was informed that it was nothing to do with them and that I should contact "their" supplier?....Now this is an example of a third world country with a third world attitude to customers. As far as I am concerned, "N channel" is in "breech" of their contract with me and can whistle for their subscription.

News / Poland - Third World Country?? [300]

Krzysztof...I must apologise. You are correct. I was so tired last night that at the end of the match, I left the room for a few seconds and came back to a blank screen. I thought N Channel had cut the game as they did previously a few weeks ago when they never showed the extra time. I have no wish to offend Polish people but the TV service provided here is not very good. N Channel sold me an extra 3 film channels on the basis that I could change the language used from Polish to English. I now have 3 film channels that I can listen to in Polish and Czech? I speak neither language.

Life / I'm British in Poland and I think that it's time to go back to the UK! [240]

dnz......I have been here for 6 years now and I do not understand why you are having these problems. As regards the "pesel number", go back to the office where you registered your home address, once you have been in Poland for 3 months you are automatically given a "pesel number" although they do not notify you of this, you are "supposed to know"!!!!. When dealing with car insurance, the bank etc, take a Polish speaker with you. I would like to refer you to the EU website and ask you to look up the regulations for "Unfair contracts", the short gist is, that any contract you sign that is written in Polish is not valid and does not apply to you legally. Telephone contracts, rental agreement for a flat, applying for any type of credit, is supposed to involve you being given a translation in your native tongue and you are supposed to be given 24 hours to read this before you sign it. In the UK, these forms are in Polish as you state and the UK complies with European Law whereas in Poland, the people working in the official offices cannot be bothered to learn these regulations as they have only had 4 years of membership to catch up!!!!!. If you read up on your "rights" and confront these people, they usually become more helpful. Read the back of your "residents card", it states quite clearly in Polish, that, you are to be "treated exactly the same legally and have the same rights as a Polish national". Good luck.

Life / I'm British in Poland and I think that it's time to go back to the UK! [240]

benszymanski.......I totally agree with what you have said with one exception. Being able to speak Polish will not help, the people working in the local/national authourities offices do not have a clue what they are doing. My polish friends have the same problems. You can go to four different offices and get four different answers to the same question. How many times have you asked what paperwork is needed only to return to the office and be asked for another piece of information that you were never informed of. I thought that after 4 years of membership in the EU, they would learn to be more efficient here, but nothing has changed, everything is 10 times harder than it needs to be. That said, I love living here.

Life / I'm British in Poland and I think that it's time to go back to the UK! [240]

Yes Wroclaw, there may be an office, they may even answer the phone, but, I can guarantee that they do not have that information or they are waiting for the "new" government to give "clarification" on whatever question you ask.

News / New luxury car from Poland - Leopard [37]

Put 12 airbags on them and they might be safe to drive on the roads in Poland.

Life / I'm British in Poland and I think that it's time to go back to the UK! [240]

I have to start at the beginning of this story as what happened today will not make sense, so a brief summary:-
In January, 2005, booked holiday flight to Greece for Sat. May 15th from Warsaw.
12th of May, informed by travel agency that flight has been changed to 21.00. Friday night. Cannot go as partner (doctor) has to work and its a 4-5 hour drive to Warsaw from where I live, also, flight arrives in Greece at 2.00AM in the morning and hotel in not booked until noon that day.

Thursday 13th May, call in to see travel agent who offers me 75% refund of the cost of my flight and nothing for the cost of hotel, its her company's regulations.

Explain to travel agent that in accordance with EU regulation 261/004, not only do they have to give me a full refund, they also have to pay 400 euros per ticket in compensation + the cost of my hotel. Travel agent explains that I have no chance!!!!.

I explain in "Anglo Saxon" that I will take the matter further.
Consult relevant EU website which tells me to contact Polish "Civil Aviation Office" and gives telephone number. Call office to be informed that they are "not ready to deal with clients and to call back in AUGUST"!!!!!. Consult EU website which states that if the "Civil Aviation Office is not yet formed to go through the normal channels and sue through the civil courts.

I started legal proceedings in June 2005 and the first hearing was to be held in Poznan (Holiday company's reg.office address. 9 hour train ride for me + overnight in hotel) in October 2005. My lawyer contacted the court on the Monday as the case was to be heard on the Wednesday, he had already asked for a sworn translator and checked to make sure that there would be one in attendance.

Arrive at court on time, told by judges that they did not have time to find a sworn translator. I became slightly agitated which resulted in the judges telling me that I could give my evidence in my home town of Tarnow, so, a completely wasted trip as I could have saved myself the journey if anybody had bothered telling me!!!!.

6 weeks later, called to the local court, sworn translator provided this time, explained to judge what happened and was told that the verdict would come from Poznan.

6 months later, was sent letter from court in Poznan which said that EU laws did not apply in Poland?
Appealed the courts decision, 6 months later appeal rejected.
Appealed to the 2nd extansion court, one year later, appeal rejected.
This has now gone on for just over 3 years and the Polish court still refuses to recognise EU law.
In the bank last Friday, I was handed a note by my manager, in Polish, that stated that my bank had been instructed by the courts to take 1400 PLN in costs from my account (to be awarded to the Holiday company). I have not received any corresponce from the court since the rejection of my last appeal.

Went to the Court Baliff's office in Tarnow to be told ( I took my partner with me to translate)( I was told I could not have a translator for English even thought this is part of the citizens rights act sign by Poland) that "I am subject to Polish Law and that Poland does not intend compliance with EU law for at least the next 5-15 years".

Got back home this afternoon to find an e-mail from the Polish Civil Aviation Office advising me that my case has been passed to the court in Warsaw on the 28th MAY!!! and I will be notified of the hearing date!!!

God!!!! I love this country!!!! never boring.....lol

Life / I'm British in Poland and I think that it's time to go back to the UK! [240]

ukpolska.....my point exactly...nobody in authourity seems to know what they are doing or what laws are applicable. I find it strange that a court can issue an order to access my bank account (joint account so are they taking mine or my partners money?) when I have never committed a criminal offence. All I did was start a civil action against a Polish company. If the court had sent me an account to pay, I would have, knowing I would get it back eventually.

If the court in Warsaw refuses to reverse the judgement then the next step is to take the case to the European Courts of Justice and sue the Polish Government (which will be a formality as case judgement has already be given against Sweden for the same non-compliance) which was never my intention. I hope that they do not take this as personally as I have. I obey the laws here and expect the same treatment and protection in return.

Life / I'm British in Poland and I think that it's time to go back to the UK! [240]

Lir..........you are an idiot!!!!..........I am NOT knocking my adopted country. I love it here and have a far better life than you have in the UK. The discussion was about the problems (for both foriegners and Poles) in dealing with the authourities and how the authourities deal with the people. After 6 years, I can handle anything that comes up. I have learnt patience and also, I now know a fair bit about citizens rights and EU consumer law, which, I can now make work to my advantage.

Every time I phone my relatives and friends in the UK, they tell me how much worse their daily lives are. They come and visit me for holidays and "envy" the life I have made here and the beautiful countryside I live in. You worry about the UK, I'll worry about Poland.

Life / I'm British in Poland and I think that it's time to go back to the UK! [240]

Not a personal insult...just stating a fact. Either you cannot read or you see something in the text that is not there.

Life / I'm British in Poland and I think that it's time to go back to the UK! [240]

Yours posts are too juvenile for me. Sleep well.

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

I am sorry to have to agree with the English members here. American "English" is hard to accept. My partner teaches English and sometimes I overhear her lessons and I cringe, because, I know that she is teaching from books that are Anglo/American, but, as much as we find the Polish language hard to learn, English is more difficult for the Polish to learn.

If an American teaches "English" in Poland, then, the students are going to find this useless when they apply for jobs in the UK. Oral will be understood, written will not be accepted.

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

Not if you are have to deal in legal or civil terms. wording becomes very important, especially if you are relying on a translator to help you.

Law / What is the quickest and cheapest way to send money to a bank account in Poland? [37]

If you have internet banking then it should take a couple of days to transfer funds. My bank in the UK, HSBC normally charge around £8.00.for transferring £1000.00. (maximum charge £21.00. for large amounts) my bank in Poland charges another £8.00. to receive it and they set the exchange rate to convert the Sterling into Zloty but its not usually too bad.

Two years ago I transferred 75,000 Euro from a bank in Spain and it was 2 months for the Polish banks to clear the transfer. I was not paid any interest for the two months that the Polish bank sat on this money.

Love / Polish girlfriend going back to Poland if I dont buy engagment ring [85]

Remember, there are three rings!!!!
1) The engagement ring.
2) The wedding ring.
3) The suffer-ring

Real Estate / IS IT A GOOD TIME TO INVEST IN POLISH REAL ESTATE? [83]

Tadeusz2007
Today, 03:56

Tadeusz2007

An article for all you guys:

How to value Polish real estate or any other real estate

Basically the rule of thumb is this. Take the average netto income in any country you live and this is what the cost of a flat should be per square meter. If in Krakow the average is 2000 pln a month. A flat should cost 2000 pln a square meter. Poland has the biggest difference between average wages and prices of flats in the EU. The average person in in the Polish market can only afford a flat with little money down. Speculators are pulling out of the Polish real estate market for greener pastures, i.e. rising price real estate markets, for example Bulgaria and other new land rushes. Now Poland is a hot economy and will stay strong for many reasons, however, the real estate market is a a bubble of ridiculous proportions.

And what if the Land and build cost is, say, 2,500 PLN (excluding any profit for the developer or the 7% VAT which the Government takes), who will build these apartments?

According to your theory, Toyota will be selling new cars for 10,000 PLN.

As much as you would like it, nobody is going to produce anything at less than cost price, that includes the food you eat. Ask the french dairy farmers how this system works.

Real Estate / IS IT A GOOD TIME TO INVEST IN POLISH REAL ESTATE? [83]

Tadeusz2007

What the hell have the parks in Berlin got to do with Polish real estate?

You still have not addressed the problem of producing goods for less than cost price?

The present Polish government was elected on certain mandates, one of which was to provide 3,000,000 new apartments/houses over a period of their term in office, this was to be new housing and replacement of exisiting defective stock. I suggest you look at the construction figures for the past 4 years and see what was actually built. If you factor in the Luxury end of the market, you will find that only a small amount of "affordable" housing has been constructed.

The only two positive initiatives brought in by this government have been the "one family" scheme which helps first time buyers with deposit and 50% interest payments for the first 8 years.

The second scheme could be a potential disaster. Allowing people to buy their rented flats in the old communist blocks is not such a bargain as it seems. The blocks were poorly constructed and are suffering from "concrete cancer", whereby the reinforcing bars are rusting and causing large cracks in the concrete slabs used in construction. Fixing insulation or cladding to the outside is only a short term solution. The UK has already started pulling down these tower blocks and constructed new dwellings to replace them. Where are you going to house the existing tennants if this has to be done in Poland?

The one true help that the Polish goverment should have given, would have been to abolish VAT on new build houses/apartments, as in the UK. This would encourage both private builders and developers, create jobs and improve the housing stock.

As very little is being built at the moment, the loss of revenue from VAT would be offset by the taxes paid from the new jobs created and the Polish people would benefit from having decent homes to live in, not to mention the ecological aspect of savings made from better constructed housing which should keep the EU happy regarding "carbon emmissions"

Real Estate / IS IT A GOOD TIME TO INVEST IN POLISH REAL ESTATE? [83]

jwojcie

"You are certainly right. But take into consideration that in bubble years 50% profit was normal thing for developers in Poland. They will not do anything for free for sure, but they certainly will take 15% profit..."

When you factor in inflation at 4% and bank interest of 6-7% it would not be worth spending a couple of years on a project which would only nett you 5%. No company could work on a business plan like that and the banks would certainly refuse to finance it. You make it sound as if 15% profit is worthwile?, it is if you are selling something over a shop counter!!!!

Do you have any idea of how long it takes to plan a building project, get the necessary permissions, set the financing in place, select the conractors from their bids, deal with the authourities over minor issues, market and sell the flats and then still deal with the clients who want to know why you never included a swimming pool and a helicopter landing pad into the design.

The business's that think they can make 50-100% profits are banks and share dealers, no construction company could plan or build expecting to make these types of margins, there are to many variables that affect the final profit margin, even bad weather can add a lot of unexpected cost to a project.

I would not say that it is impossible to make good profits, but you would need a lot of luck and maybe catch a "boom in prices" after you have started construction. There is no way you could plan it 3-4 years ahead. If you could, you would not build, you would buy shares instead.

Real Estate / Is there a Real Estate bubble in Krakow? [60]

Polsky..........you are the same person who has been "spamming" Polish Forums for the past week. You make unsubstantiated comments in order to provoke a response. Get a life.

posted by Avalon on Nov.06.2009

I posted just one message - this message. With clear arguments and study of the real estate markets. And almost every real estate expert agress with this. Few of the many arguments: I think everybody knows that for buying real estate you need to have DEMAND. RIght now there is just OVERSUPPLY from the 3-4 million poles working aborad, who never plan to return. Demand comes from people who usually pay with their wages, the credit from the bank. For an average wage of 2000 zlotych/month, bank allows you maximum 800 zl/month of payment for your mortgage. 800 zl/month for a credit of 20 years, equals 800 x 12 = 9600 zl / year equals maximum 200 000 zl (rounded in plus) for an apartment in Krakow. So that is the correct market price for a 2-3 rooms apartment (60-100 sq.m.) in Krakow: 200 000 zl Right now there are thousands of apartments for sale at absurd prices, and nobody is buying... (PS it seems that the only spammer is Avalon here)

posted by polsky on Nov.06.2009

this thread relates to krakow and only krakow

Real Estate / IS IT A GOOD TIME TO INVEST IN POLISH REAL ESTATE? [83]

bolek

"lol, then tell me mr know all, why don't real estate agents display a for sale sign on vendors property..."

That is an easy one to answer. The estate agent wants to get "two" commissions for selling, one from the seller and one from the buyer. If the estate agent puts a "for sale" sign outside of a sellers house, they are affraid that the buyer will deal directly with the seller and so avoid paying them the extra commission. The estate agent wants you to go to their office first and sign an agreement to pay them before they will put you in touch with the seller.

Another thing that seems to be popular with Polish estate agents is to "not" put a price on a property for sale. They do this to get people to telephone them first which is a waste of time if you are on a fixed budget and the properties you are looking at are all out of your price range.

I have seen some "for sale" signs on properties, but, these have been put up by the owners themselves.

Travel / What to do when it's raining in Gdansk [33]

erdemath

How about this? By singing the song "I'm singin' in the rain
Just singin' in the rain," from Frank Snatra.

Actually, it was Gene Kelly

Law / Non-EU country citizen on tourist visa - could anyone help me with Karta Pobytu? [63]

My 5 year residence card runs out in mid-December, so, after looking up the Polish government website I find that:-

After 5 years of continuous stay within the territory of the Republic of Poland the EU citizen acquires the right to stay permanently.

Now, does this mean that I will be sent a permanent residence card automatically or do I have to apply for one? As it does not say, I decide to play safe and telephone the number in Warsaw that is given on the website.

Todays conversation with the office in Warsaw:-

me: Hello is that the department for foriegners.

office: yes, how can I help you

me: I have lived here in Poland now for over 6 years and my 5 year residence permit is due to expire in December. I read on the government website that I qualify for permanent residence after 5 years, what do I need to do to get the permanent card.

office: You have the wrong number, the number is the same but the last 3 digits are ***

me: Thank you. (I dial the number given)

office:yes, how can I help you

me: I have lived here in Poland now for over 6 years and my 5 year residence permit is due to expire in December. I read on the government website that I qualify for permanent residence after 5 years, what do I need to do to get the permanent card.

office: You have the wrong number, the number is the same but the last 3 digits are ***

me: Thank you. (I dial the new number given)

me: Hello is that the department for foriegners.

office:yes, how can I help you

me: I have lived here in Poland now for over 6 years and my 5 year residence permit is due to expire in December. I read on the government website that I qualify for permanent residence after 5 years, what do I need to do to get the permanent card.

office: You need to apply.

me: What forms do I need and where do I need to send these forms? Do I use the same form as the one for the 5 year residence permit?

office: Yes, and you need a photocopy of your passport, copy of meldunuk and 5 passport sized photo's.

me: So, I need to send them the same documents that I sent them 5 years ago?

office:Yes

me: And to what address do I send these documents?

office: Where do you live?

me: I live in Malopolska

office: In that case you will need to send your documents to Krakow.

me: Do I send them to the same office as for the 5 year permit?, in Ul.Sebastiana?

office: I don't know. you will have to look it up on the internet.

me: I have already looked on the internet and the only address given, is in Warsaw, that is why I am phoning you.

office: I will try and find out for you.

4 pieces of classical music later..........I can hear frantic voices in the background..........

office: You need to send it to Ul.Przy-Rondza 6, 33-550.

me: To what department?

office: I don't know. I will try and find out for you.

4 pieces of classical music later..........I can hear frantic voices in the background..........

office: The department is the voivodeship of Malopolska

me: Thank you, you have been most helpful.

I put the phone down with a big smile on my face and then realize...............

S**t!!!!!!! I forgot to ask if there was a fee for this!!!!!!........sob...sob.....sob

Real Estate / Is there a Real Estate bubble in Krakow? [60]

milky

another new alias....lol