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Snow Plowing in Poland - is it a worthwhile job?


cdleblanc  
5 Sep 2015 /  #1
Hello,

My wife and I plan on moving to Poland once I retire from the Military here in the USA. She is a Polish citizen and our son is dual citizen. My question is if we bring the right truck and equipment is it possible to snow plow for a living in the winter and get paid for it over there?

Thanks in advance.

Christian
Gazetka-Ścienny  
6 Sep 2015 /  #2
I strongly doubt it, even if you can find snow - which is rarity in Poland lately.
DominicB  - | 2706  
6 Sep 2015 /  #3
is it possible to snow plow for a living in the winter and get paid for it over there?

You are aware that there are years where little snow falls in Poland, and you might well end up with enough to plow only one or two days a year? In my twelve years in Poland, we had only one major snowstorm. Maybe it might snow more somewhere out east like Białystok or up in the mountains, but for the most part, snow removal, when needed, seems to be adequately supplied for all but the most exceptional circumstances. I highly doubt that there is a need for additional providers, and whatever need there might be would soon be addressed by local agents far more economically than by you.

As for retiring in Poland, it is a great idea as long as you are able to comfortably live completely off of your savings and pension. 100%. If you have to earn to supplement that, then Poland is probably not the right place for you. It would be a lot easier for you to remain in the States and work for a few months, and then take an extended vacation in Poland once every year or two.
jon357  73 | 23224  
6 Sep 2015 /  #4
No, it isn't a way to make a living. People don't do it, in the areas where it's needed they can't afford to pay and although your wife and son could get involved, you as a non-EU citizen could not get involved with any sort of work even for free.
InPolska  9 | 1796  
6 Sep 2015 /  #5
How can one make a "living" out of this? People remove the snow themselves around their houses and furthermore, each year, it snows less and less (it suits me :)) in Poland. Very old people may need help but they ask relatives or neighbors to help them and if the very rare cases, they do pay someone, they most probably just give a couple of ZL (just enough to buy 2 rolls or a postal stamp).

Furthermore, in order to work in Poland, Americans need work permits and I seriously doubt that work permits can be issued for this kind of work.

Americans are really disconnected from the European reality...
delphiandomine  86 | 17823  
6 Sep 2015 /  #6
My wife and I plan on moving to Poland once I retire from the Military here in the USA. She is a Polish citizen and our son is dual citizen. My question is if we bring the right truck and equipment is it possible to snow plow for a living in the winter and get paid for it over there?

Have you actually done any research whatsoever into Poland before making such plans?
Roger5  1 | 1432  
6 Sep 2015 /  #7
Maybe it might snow more somewhere out east like Białystok

Less than two hundred KM from Warsaw. No polar bears walking down the street.

is it possible to snow plow for a living in the winter and get paid for it over there?

In a word, no. There are guys whose job it is to do that. Out in the sticks people do it themselves.
InPolska  9 | 1796  
6 Sep 2015 /  #8
Sure it's done through local authorities and in residential areas, everybody is to do it themselves around their homes.
OP cdleblanc  
6 Sep 2015 /  #9
Thank everyone for responding. Yes I understand that you need work permits/papers

Furthermore, in order to work in Poland, Americans need work permits

as a Non-EU member on my end of it. We have other plans for retirement (we run 3 businesses right now as well as my military retirement). This was just another option

Have you actually done any research whatsoever into Poland before making such plans?

that I was thinking about in addition to the others that we are working on.

Americans are really disconnected from the European reality...

- well I think that could be said for most - and yes I have limited experience in your wonderful country (3 visits in the last 3 years with one planned trip every year) but that is the purpose of talking to family (hers when we are visiting) and getting on the internet to ask people. The only way to overcome being disconnected is to connect oneself and learn.
Avalon  4 | 1063  
6 Sep 2015 /  #10
Being a "Father Christmas" is a much better job. You only have to work one day each year.
Tamarisk  
6 Sep 2015 /  #11
The guy is ex-US Military. I'm sure he will have a nice fat pension provided by Uncle Sam.
OP cdleblanc  
7 Sep 2015 /  #12
Being a "Father Christmas" is a much better job. You only have to work one day each year.

- YES indeed haha - but for now I am just Father Christmas to my son and nieces/nephews.

The guy is ex-US Military. I'm sure he will have a nice fat pension provided by Uncle Sam.

- true statement! Let's face it though I have put in my time (24+ years).
jon357  73 | 23224  
7 Sep 2015 /  #13
And after 24 years, well deserved. Snow ploughing isn't really an option (you'll see why when you spend a winter in PL) so perhaps worth exploring some of the other things you can do - or make an investment either in Poland or elsewhere but near that you can visit.

Whereabouts in Poland will you be coming to?
Polonius3  980 | 12275  
7 Sep 2015 /  #14
non-EU citizen could not get involved with any sort of work

Total misinformation. Every holder of a karta pobytu (residence card) is entitled to be gainfully employed.
jon357  73 | 23224  
7 Sep 2015 /  #15
Well actually, Po3, if it was as simple as that, there would be far fewer threads here. Remember the OP, doesn't yet have a karta pobytu either.
delphiandomine  86 | 17823  
7 Sep 2015 /  #16
Total misinformation. Every holder of a karta pobytu (residence card) is entitled to be gainfully employed.

Wrong. A work permit is needed in many cases. Only those here through marriage to an EU citizen are exempt from the requirement to hold a work permit.
Polonius3  980 | 12275  
7 Sep 2015 /  #17
one day each year.

In Poland twice -- 6th and 24th December.

snow plow for a living

Most every niche in the goods and services field has been filled in Poland since 1989 except one: Polish cities could use good inexpensive laundromats, esp. in view of the growing numbers of singles living alone.

The discussion about laundromats in Poland has been moved to the proper thread. Please stay on the topic here. Thank you.
OP cdleblanc  
15 Feb 2016 /  #18
Whereabouts in Poland will you be coming to?

The in-laws live in Debrzno with family all around. We would be heading to Debrzno and yes I am looking at a few other options for retirement work. Thanks everyone.

Regards,
Christian

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