Work / Teaching English in Poland? I am American and I have the CELTA certification. [42]


If it's done through an accountant and the teacher's annual income is approx. 50K PLN, accountants round here take over 300PLN a month for that service. They admit it's expensive and offer reasons why. Anecdotally, teachers here that I bump into at bars or even in Lidl (and that should tell you something) say that these fees and the lack of students mean any talk of an economic recovery seem like a joke*. However, it could be that high schools are teaching English (very successfully, in many cases) and this is eating into the number of prospective students available in cities like Wro. Plus, hardly a month goes by when I don't see some new school advertising.

*That said, witness the gleaming new cars everywhere here, 4x4s, Beemers, Mercs, et al. A lot of people seem to have borrowed it or earned it. Seems like more new cars here than Belsize Park.


Regarding the Umowa o Dzieło...
Spoke to an accountant today about this type of contract for my own possible business idea, and his words were: "As long as it's not for teaching a foreign language! ZUS don't agree to UoD for that. It has to be a fixed task of some sort that you perform and then finish, not teaching. I've had clients who had to send suddenly demanded arrears to ZUS after being caught out on this type of contract..."

It doesn't apply to me, but I quote this here in case it's of help to someone.

Of course, I hear different things at different times from different accountants by phone or email, so I cannot be firmly sure that info is correct. It might be a new clampdown or might be plainly incorrect, I just don't know.

Work / Teaching English in Poland? I am American and I have the CELTA certification. [42]

Seriously?! Sigh. I just knew he read the forum! I wonder if he posts or just lurks (reads but doesn't participate).
Did he say when the law would be changed? Wielkie dzięki by the way, I wouldn't otherwise know as I can't understand Polish very well.

Work / Teaching English in Poland? I am American and I have the CELTA certification. [42]


I've got that bit, I just don't understand why there's the exemption. It seems too good to be true.


Thank you, but as I said to Harry, I just don't understand why they allow no ZUS on those contracts. I'll assume it's in the Act that Harry quoted with some explanation as to why contained within the Act. I just wonder why they'd be so kind as to waive ZUS on that contract. I always worry when tax people seem kind...

Work / Teaching English in Poland? I am American and I have the CELTA certification. [42]

Thank you, again, Harry. So, from that I assume the employer also pays the ZUS unless I have a company registered elsewhere in the EU in which case I don't pay ZUS. Of course, the drawback is that for most small business transactions, they want no strings and no contract beyond one day's purchase of a service or good.

Work / Teaching English in Poland? I am American and I have the CELTA certification. [42]


I assume they don't get the contractor a NIP or REGON either. It's a very curious thing, this contract. I would love to know more about how it can be used, but it sounds to me like the contractor has to still arrange to pay their own taxes and that probably this still needs an accountancy person to deal with it. I can't imagine an accountant saying 'Yeah it's okay not to pay the ZUS, don't worry, they don't expect you to." I was always told you absolutely always pay ZUS one way or the other. Bizarre news to me...

Work / Teaching English in Poland? I am American and I have the CELTA certification. [42]

I was thinking of starting a firm in PL, but the costs of the ZUS and the rest of it, put me right off. If someone had told me that I needn't pay ZUS and could opt-out (which I don't think you can, but I await anyone who can tell me different without taking the p**s being their motive) I'd have started a firm a while back. No, not English teaching, as it's not really my cuppa long-term.


Harry, I've never heard that before. Thank you, if you're not pulling my leg.
In that sort of contract, how is the tax paid and who has responsibility for it?
I assume it can only be used for teaching or similar contracts, not a small enterprise/new biz?
How come PL Govt doesn't mind that no ZUS is paid?

Work / Teaching English in Poland? I am American and I have the CELTA certification. [42]


When did it become optional to pay ZUS? News to me!!! I was told if a person is self-employed he/she must pay it monthly or even weekly. Genuine question.

Work / Teaching English in Poland? I am American and I have the CELTA certification. [42]

If you have an e-signature (thanks to dandd for that info), you can do some or all of the registration on-line, I believe. You have to register some code or codes called PKD which describes your business activity in Poland. Then I think you always have to pay ZUS, but it's cheaper for 2 years then it rockets. I think the accountancy fees and hassle of keeping the tax records and trying to make yourself understood at the tax and other offices, is not to be taken lightly. Plus I think that there are country of tax residency issues to consider, eg if a Brit, then the Poland govt might say you're Poland tax resident which might mean you lose any tax-free allowance in the UK if you have an income there. I'm of course no expert, but this is my recent understanding of it when I thought about dipping a toe in. Am happy to be put straight by any more learned members...... :o)

Hopefully useful link for the online stuff prod.ceidg.gov.pl/ceidg.cms.engine (should be in English there)

Life / Could i find people in Poland by their phone number or address? [25]

The number you require is.... :o)

ksiazka-telefoniczna.com/index.php

I'll try to find you another, as I think that's just business.

Try this: tp.tja.pl

I can't get it to work, anyone else?

News / Surprising ranking of Polish supermarkets (Biedronka expensive?) Living expenses in Poland. [35]


I don't use many eggs but I try to buy free range from small market stalls. In the UK, my neighbour used to give me fresh eggs and the difference in quality was reasonably evident most of the time. Most important to me when buying an egg is that the hens are free range and all consumers should ensure they opt for the same.

As for whether eggs should be stored in a supermarket here at ambient temp or in a chiller -- another poster mentioned it was illegal to store eggs in a chiller or fridge in Poland's supermarkets. Well, I have now started taking note and noticed 2 major supermarkets here have their eggs in both ambient areas and in chilled cabinets. If anyone doubts this, I've taken photos! Yeah I know I'm sad...

News / Surprising ranking of Polish supermarkets (Biedronka expensive?) Living expenses in Poland. [35]

Thanks for posting this. Very much up my street!

Most supermarkets have some things they're expensive for, and some things they're the cheapest for, on a regular basis. Special offers, aside.

Biedronka is cheapest for decent quality black tea (Remsey) along with some frozen fish dishes, white bread, and a range of other things.

And I could list 5 or so other supermarkets and say what's cheapest at each, of course Lidl currently being way ahead for mature cheddar cheese at keen prices, and additive- free kapusta (sauerkraut).

Problem is, few people have time to visit each supermarket and skim off the cheapest stuff. And if they're driving, the fuel is an added expense.

News / POLAND to have its own automobile brand (back), the SYRENA! [36]

I think we should now submit suggestions for the car model name, I'll get the ball rolling: Seri Cebula

Life / Conflicting views about life in Poland? [45]


Funny you should say that, I've heard the same from someone else off-forum, and I am shocked to think this could be the reality

"Cut 'n' shut" (or cut & shut) cars are illegal in the UK. I wouldn't knowingly buy one anywhere.

perrys.co.uk/car-news/buyers-guide/guide-checking-a-car-for-signs-of-cut-and-shut-1202.php

Thanks for the info on the property market, much appreciated.


No, they're new cars for sure. And there are a lot of them. And I have never seen so many 4x4 BMWs or large Land Rover style new cars in my life as I see here. In the UK, we called them Chelsea tractors. Here, there are loads of them, everywhere.

Life / Conflicting views about life in Poland? [45]

When I went viewing to rent, the owners seemed like 'ordinary' Poles every time. Of course, judging books by covers is misleading at times, but they weren't foreigners or big shot types. Most of the flats I viewed as a tenant would have a value of >400K PLN and with the exception of one they were all built since 2004.


At times it seems they are, especially when I glance out from a tram or bus at the line of cars adjacent. The cars look to be new or just 2 or 3 years old. We have a lower ratio of new cars in my supposedly wealthy home town.


Well, not sure which part of Wro you're in, but seems even when I go to the 'poorer' areas' blocks, the cars in the car park outside seem to resemble the stock of a new or nearly new car showroom. The old Skodas and Fiats are few.

Life / Conflicting views about life in Poland? [45]

Yeah, that's also what I heard, as you said, that most if not all are now adopting the non 100% mortgage policy in advance of the law coming in.

Question is, why on earth were they allowed before? I thought Poland was more sensible than that.

Life / Conflicting views about life in Poland? [45]


Indeed so, yet I look out on to the streets here and see new car after new car, and the apartment prices seem to be pricey. How is this possible? Bank loans? Family money? The cost of living here is not so cheap when local wages are taken into account. So, frankly, it's a mystery to me.

The developers are very slow to drop their prices for flats, so they're obviously confident of takers -- even at their prices, many of which seem steep.

Someone told me that 100% mortgages are available here but will be phased out next year. If true, zero deposit loans for property do not sound sensible and should not have been allowed. Yes, they are doing that in the UK now under some scheme, and I disapprove of that too. Encouraging people into large debt seems highly questionable.

Real Estate / Websites to find an apartment for rent in Poland? [30]

He probably meant cheapest rather than cheap !

Life / Conflicting views about life in Poland? [45]


Probably will go back for at least 7 months, maybe permanently, not sure yet. Flight's booked though. But, will definitely visit Poland again, it has nice cultural stuff and countryside etc. Just no decent tea ! ;o)

Life / Conflicting views about life in Poland? [45]


It is with great sadness that I must announce I can no longer thumbs-up Tetley Classic tea bags. I have found the tea has lost its flavour now, even with 2 bags, and I can taste the bag paper and not the tea, even after 5 mins of brewing. This means that the bags need to be transferred to airtight storage to preserve them, something I don't have to do with the Biedronka tea (or UK tea). I still have my Sainsbury Red Label here, opened, and there's no comparison between one bag of that and 2 bags of Poland Tetley. The Biedronka fares slightly better. I will be returning to Biedronka for some Remsey I think, or ordering from the website Harry recommended, which supplies Brit products. That is if I'm not back in the UK soon, which I might well be anyway.

Real Estate / Websites to find an apartment for rent in Poland? [30]

Gumtree might be OK for your needs: gumtree.pl/fp-domy-i-mieszkania-do-wynajecia/c9008

If looking for more upmarket flats in the main, there are other sites with agents' ads. There are some nice flats on Gumtree, too, but fewer executive ones than some sources.

Law / Trading Standards body for bad dental work in Poland? [9]


Yeah, you're right. A refund will be all that's acceptable now.

Law / Trading Standards body for bad dental work in Poland? [9]

Thank you. I suppose the other term means a doctors' furniture ! :o)

Law / Trading Standards body for bad dental work in Poland? [9]

Thanks, will do :O)

These are the regs, apparently:

Reklamacja usługi dentystycznej

Korzystałeś z usługi stomatologicznej. Ząb przestał boleć, ale po krótkim okresie wypadła plomba. Co masz robić?. Jeżeli od wykonania usługi nie minął jeszcze rok, masz prawo złożyć reklamację do dentysty wykonującego usługę. Zażądaj w wyznaczonym przez Ciebie terminie ponownego plombowania zęba. Dentysta jest zobowiązany bezpłatnie dokonać poprawek. Zwrotu ceny za wykonaną usługę możesz żądać, gdy stomatolog odmówi wykonania ponownego leczenia albo w odpowiednim czasie nie wykona tej usługi ( gdy wada jest istotna). W przypadku wad nieistotnych, możemy domagać się obniżenia ceny.

Podstawa prawna: art. 637 i nast. Kodeksu cywilnego

Basically, it says a patient has ONE year's guarantee on dental work.

Google translation:
Have used dental services. The tooth stopped hurting, but after a short period fell seal. What you have to do. If the performance of the service has not yet passed a year, you have the right to file a complaint to the dentist performing the service. Request a deadline set by you resealing the tooth. The dentist is required to charge to make corrections. Reimbursement rates for the service you require, when a dentist refuse to perform or re-treatment at the right time will not perform the service (if the defect is important). In the case of insignificant defects, we ask for a price reduction.

Legal basis: Art. 637 et seq. civil Code

If a dentist refuses to honour a guarantee, you can take it up with a body known as the Doctors' Chamber. If someone knows their name in Polish, please post, otherwise I assume it's komora lekarzy although that guess might literally mean something like cupboard doctors :o)

Life / Conflicting views about life in Poland? [45]


They're definitely OK, albeit not as good as Tesco Finest, but they're good, thank you again. I still maintain Remsey from Biedronka is also pretty good and works out a little cheaper.

Life / Conflicting views about life in Poland? [45]


Nice one, thank you, they're pretty good even if they are just 1.6 grams a bag. 2 bags and it's not a bad cuppa at all for the price. :o)

Life / Conflicting views about life in Poland? [45]

I'm not 100% sure it's always that good here in Wroc, either. When I get back to the UK, I tend to notice cleaner air, from almost the moment I land. They are monitoring it here in several places, but there are too many old diesel vehicles around and also lots of people burn wood in the area which doesn't help. I know some might find it hard to believe, but quite a few houses have wood stores piled up outside to heat their houses with, even here in a city.

Life / Conflicting views about life in Poland? [45]

Poland's OK. The worst thing (for me) is the roads and usually overcrowded public transport (here in Wrocław, anyway). Also I do get fed up with the endless snow in the winter, although I was back in the UK for one winter and it was worse than here, where I was. We were snowed in, roads iced up, much worse than I'd had in Poland.

Another limitation is a lack of ready meals or TV dinners! For me, that's a pain, as is the difficulty in getting good cheddar and decent tea bags.

It has lots of cultural stuff to enjoy if you're into that. You'll find grand opera houses, quality theatres, nice cinemas, great shopping malls.

Jobs wise -- probably only specialists thrive. As in IT or banking or similar. People like me find it hard to find work, but that's not Poland's fault.

There are some issues, such as pollution in Krakow, and some claim air quality is not so good in the cities.

These days, Poland seems to be welcoming people from other parts of the world more and more. I think there is a large African population in Warsaw, lots and lots of people from East Asia in Wrocław, and growing numbers of people from Egypt, Libya and of course other European countries, generally working in specialist IT roles (or that's what I have been told by sources, such as bank staff opening accounts for new residents).

Real Estate / Can foreigner buy apartment in Warsaw, Poland? [39]


That's what I think, for the reason Harry mentions. But interesting stuff, thanks for posting it, I never realised this sort of thing happens, but maybe I'm just not 'street' enough :D


Eggs act lee.

Real Estate / Can foreigner buy apartment in Warsaw, Poland? [39]


Eh?

What, some stranger takes over a non-resident owner's mortgage and then lives in the place? Why would he want to do that, paying a hefty deposit and large monthly rent payments?? You could rent a legitimate flat for much less. Are you suggesting the owner will in time "sell" the flat to the stranger in return for these payments? You ain't kidding when you said pure dodge, it would need a heck of a lot of trust on the part of the stranger making these payments in hope and good faith.