Benefit entitlement in Poland for foreigners

As a British citizen by descent and subsequently EU citizen (via British passport ), will I be entitled to unemployment benefit/ housing/ youth allowance etc. in Poland should I decide to live there for a year or two? I don't want to work there for pittance and I just want to enjoy the country, culture and social life and improve my Polish language. (I have enough money to live abroad without working for 2 years but I want to get freebies where I can and when I am entitled to).

Oh, that's really cheered me up this morning.

There's two possible answers:
a) No.
b) Yes, here's 20zl, come back in four weeks for your next payment.

Are you having a laugh, based on all your other posts on this forum surely you hate Poland, don't you?

I like the sentiment of the post, though. EU or not, they will find ways of denying you. I wouldn't expect even 1 groszy from the state here, despite me paying ZUS for the last 4 years, 2 at a higher rate. Begrudging = litote

unemployment benefits in poland? hahaha, this is a country shaped by the chicago school of economics afterall, get a job or starve , failing that steal.

as a Polish citizen you have to work at least 12 months of the most recent 18 montsh period to be eligible for half a year period of unemployment benefit - I have no idea what's it like for other EU nationals

What's youth allowance?

What it's supposed to be like and what it is actually like might be different of course.

there is something in lines of a housing benefit in Poland - it's a bit complicated but generally it is granted for people with low income (lower than 1200 PLN if single lower than some 900 PLN per person in a family) - the amount of the benefit is calculated depending on the average income in the 3 month prior to applying - again I have no idea if all EU nationals are eligible

gumishu wrote:


that reminds me of something. doesn't delphiandomine always post on here that minimum wage is like......1200 something zl per month? how would someone earn less than 900 then? man, 900 was my ZUS payment every month.

900 PLN (or less) income per head in a household is what majority of Poles have (I guess) - the minimum wage quote is always gross - the curren 1380 PLN gross translates to 980 PLN net

Imagne that you have a wife who doesn't work and 2 children and your salary is 3200 PLN. Divide 3200 by 4 and you have 800 PLN per person.

As I understand it, Poland doesn't have complicated rules surrounding entitlement - either you're entitled to it based on your insurance payments, or you're not. Doesn't matter if you're Polish or otherwise.

Have you ever heard of any foreigner ever claiming any benefits in Poland?

Wouldn't they just be handed a plane ticket to the UK?

your ambition is to bludge the dole across Europe for a cheap holiday? Gosh what a winner, good luck with that.

I've thinking of heading to Aus, get all the benifits I can there. Oh wait they have laws stating that you need a certain amount of cash availble to last you your stay, or they put you back on a plane home the same day.

Why on earth would you think that Poland as a European country(which is in the biggest recession since WW2(europe not Poland) would give you free items when you have not completed a days work in the said country.

If they were to provide anything, i would assume that it would be means tested.

Doubtful. I'd imagine they just get a bit of cardboard with the word "Anglia" on it and some advice about how to hitchhike in Poland.

Although they might be offered a seat on the plane which the British government hires every two weeks to return to Poland people who Poland has issued an EAW for, given that it pretty much always goes back empty.

quite, especially when you already have money anyway. It's a safety net for the people of that country, not a 'freebie' for itinerant Aussies.

I have met your type in London, you spend all your time moaning about the people, the weather and the warm beer, and being superior in your Aussieness...;)

As a citizen of EU, I am entitled to all the benefits and support available to the citizen of any EU country. Thats the law. I intend to take advantage of this law to the fullest to my benefit and pleasure during my stay in Poland. If I get $300 a month, it will be more than enough to rent a small apartment for a fortnight in a posh area of Katowice or Lublin.

Reread what gumishu wrote again.

If your idea of a good time is spending hours inside a government office filling in forms then Poland is the place for you
I hope your Polish is up to scratch

Are you currently on welfare in Australia? It might help your case if you are

I'm afraid even all the benefits together are not that high, correct me if I'm wrong.


No problem, go ahead.

Maternity benefits.

The scepticism is visible. Foreigners are a potential threat and it's hard for some old people here to see them as anything else. Benefits would be a joke anyway. Poland is quickly losing the plot when it comes to matching salaries with inflation and providing for those in need.

You can always make money as " tirówka"

What do you mean?

It's hard for some old people to do all sorts of things like get used to currency changes, use Iphones or remember where they put their glasses, however since we aren't a gerontocracy we have to consider the wider issues. It's important to consider the needs of the elderly but it would be unwise to allow this to become an issue that dominates. Becoming wary is a natural process of aging rather than a basis for social policy.

people in glass houses....

Many foreigners are an unknown quantity to certain older Poles. They don't know what to expect from them sometimes. They are therefore viewed through a sceptical lens.