Life / Getting pretty tired of the postal service here in Poland [58]

Merged: Registering for email notification of Poland Post Office registered letters?

Anyone know how to do this? Apparently, an addressee can register with Poland's Post Office (PP) to receive email or perhaps SMS alerts when there's a registered letter awaiting them at their local Post Office. A link and basic instructions would be appreciated.

Found it
poczta-polska.pl/?p=9685&preview=true

News / Poland's new golden age : shifting from Europe's periphery to its center [29]


Am noticing more of those people who walk around with carts and go through bins for things to sell and tin cans, etc, in the past 6 months, I really am. I do feel for them and of course am hoping I won't be joining them soon. On the other hand, like I've said so many times, so many people on these roads and parked up seem to have a new car and 4x4. Some people have either made a lot of cash on property or something here, or have been tempted by presumably easy credit. There are so many banks here. One bank team member told me customers are becoming very demanding and if they don't get what they want, they walk. Taking that to heart, I went to another branch and asked for an increase in my savings interest rate -- I was told no way Jose unless I wanted to tie it up or risk it somehow. I wonder if they're similarly rigid to a customer when someone's refused a loan or offered a high rate on a loan. If they're weak about lending criteria, we know where that leads don't we.

News / Poland's new golden age : shifting from Europe's periphery to its center [29]


Poland has overtaken Germany as the largest economy in Europe?

Anecdotal, but I speak to a few local company people (not IT but manufacturing) and their story is of not being paid by their corporate customers and having to borrow to pay wages. I also hear a fair old bit from local staff at firms here who tell me there are signs of cutting costs at every turn. Could all be BS to put me off applying for work at these places, of course, but that's what I'm told. I'm not able to promise it's all true because I don't really have any way of checking. But, I don't know why they'd lie to me, they'd not be (suffering!?) working with me even if I was hired by their bosses. And of course, I hear moaning about how hard it is to get a job from almost everyone I meet.

Conversely, those who are doing well seem to be doing well, big time. More new posh cars here than I ever saw in Hampstead.

Gap between the rich and poor widening? Not good for society if so, is it?

Law / Car registration in Poland (bought a car from Holland on a temporary license) [25]

Have a look here. If it's an import ie UK or other right-hand drive car, it may not be straightforward or even possible, apparently.

Real Estate / Renting in Poland - tenants' rights? [51]

Thanks Jon, but I'm not sure that'd be wise because the formal tenancy agreement states the rent as a certain figure, I'm not sure it's be wise to accept an email and nothing more for any new, lower figure.

Yes they are really not the sort of people anyone would choose to have as neighbours, despite their smart attire, warm, off to first communion wholesome family appearance, and brand new vehicles. Money doesn't mean decency of course, appearances can be very deceptive. They have apparently been really quite unpleasant for some years now to various other flats, not just who used to live in my flat (who legged it after a month).

How common is it for a landlord or owner to only require a deposit at the start of a tenancy and not also require some rent?

(In other words, the keys are handed over after the agreement is signed and just a deposit in cash is paid, with the first rent payment due within 10 days but the tenant is already able to move into the flat and live there before paying any actual rent.)

What legal recourse or what happens if the tenant does not pay that first rent on the 10th of the month when due?

Real Estate / Renting in Poland - tenants' rights? [51]

Not to bother writing to the agent, or not to bother doing any annex? I'm not quite with you. It's the shocking noise from upstairs probably doing my head in again. Sounds like they're moving out, but it always sounds like that, and so far they're still here, making my life a misery. Anyway, thx Jon.

Real Estate / Renting in Poland - tenants' rights? [51]

Just a document thingy agreeing the new lower figure? OK I can probably do that. Thanks, W. LOL the agent doesn't give a flying fig, I've never seen someone wash their hands of something so fast as she did, she didn't even answer a simple question about the meters nor landlord's possessions that I found when I moved in. She just ignored email after email that I sent in Polish. Not even a "I dunno". Worse than any British letting agent by miles. If you're saying I'm legally obliged to send a copy of the annex to the agent then I will, but otherwise it's about as likely to bear fruit as a lottery ticket.

Real Estate / Renting in Poland - tenants' rights? [51]

Naaaaaaah. the agency washed their hands off right at the start, in fact the moment she took the fee. Absolute waste of space, she was. What do I do sans the agent? Do I need a lawyer or notary to do an annex? TIA.

Real Estate / Renting in Poland - tenants' rights? [51]


Anyone have an answer to this ^ ^ ^ or should I start a separate thread to grab the right person's attention?

Real Estate / Renting in Poland - tenants' rights? [51]

Quick question regarding a change in the monthly rent I pay...

If the landlord agrees mid-tenancy to a rent reduction, how is that rent reduction formalised? In other words, does the landlord need to have the tenancy agreement amended and notarised to acknowledge the new, lower rent? Or do I just need a letter on paper with their signature agreeing the rent has been lowered? At the moment, it looks like any agreement to a lower rent would be via email only and the landlord's email address is an ordinary Hotmail account.

News / Should the Poland's municipal guard (straż miejska) be scrubbed? [16]

In the UK:

* civil enforcement officers who can issue tickets for litter (in some towns only), sometimes known as street wardens (they are unarmed)

* traffic wardens/parking attendants are another form of civil enforcement officer as parking offences were decriminalised (they are unarmed)

* accredited persons are appointed by the local chief constable (police chief) in some towns and have some powers by designation, eg issue tickets for anti-social behaviour (unarmed usually)

* community first responders - status varies, usually medics but may have law enforcement duties (probably unarmed but I am not sure)

* community support officers or police community support officers (same thing) are civil enforcement officers attached to the police and the closest we have to the SM. They are sometimes nicknamed "plastic police" or "Blunkett's bouncers" (named after the politician who introduced them to the UK). They carry handcuffs but have limited powers to detain a person, and they need constable (actual police) assistance for all suspect processing. (Transport services' PCSOs can carry a baton in addition to handcuffs.)

The main advantage of the above categories is they are either free or cheaper to employ than a fully qualified police constable.

(a ticket is a fine or mandat in Polish)

My opinion for the UK is that PCSOs have a role but we need more full police. For Poland, SM seem to have batons and cuffs, and perhaps they make a worthwhile contribution, but I don't really know. I see them patrol with police in Poland, which is exactly what happens on the beat in the UK.

Work / Working in Poland without speaking Polish [75]

I think I can be a people person, I'm not everyone's cuppa of course, I get bad days as well as motivated and energetic, optimistic days. I've been encouraged by Local Fela and you to maybe take a look at the jobs market if need be in a few months and not write myself off too quickly. I'm honestly expecting nothing, so even a temp post of a month would be a bonus if it comes along.

Work / Working in Poland without speaking Polish [75]


There must be! I think I can guess what you might be driving at but then again I might be wrong, so I won't say, especially in case it causes any forum friction. ;o)

Thanks for the tip, if I'm reading between the lines correctly.


Well yes, that's what I have heard from Poles here, many of whom seem to have an education that puts mine to shame.
That said, Wrocław is absolutely buzzing right now, the malls are full to bursting. Tourists or after-work Poles, I know not. But jammed full like Xmas.

Work / Working in Poland without speaking Polish [75]


So they hired you into an IT role or other role where 70% of you didn't have any experience and paid you a very decent salary despite not speaking Polish?

What was the reason you were all chosen over other locals who speak Polish? Your native tongue language skills, eg English, Spanish, Dutch?
Because I don't understand why they'd pay more to foreigners otherwise.
In Wrocław or a small city/town?

I hope you don't take offense at my questioning -- none intended.


So these Polish people I meet in Wroc who have a uni degree but can't find any work other than in a shop or selling strawberries, just need to be more persistent, Poland's booming, right? Recession risks have evaporated, all's great, jobs galore? No need for Poles to emigrate to the UK, Germany, Eire etc? Is that what you're saying?


So it IS a specialised role, such as programming. Well, I'm talking about for the rest of us, who aren't computer nerd types ;o)

Work / Working in Poland without speaking Polish [75]

A very specialist area of IT? Because Poland has plenty of her own IT people.

Law / Opening a Polish Bank Account by a foreigner in Poland. Recommendations. [299]

That's charming of them. Is that allowed under EU law? Isn't it against 'uman rights and freedom of movement across member states?

Anyway, tell them to shove it up their bunghole and try Millennium or some other non dinosaur bank.

Btw, Skok is some sort of co-op savings bank I think, and they told me I can open an account if I want, just to bring my passport in. There are many varieties of Skok, so if one says nie try another. I'm not sure if they can offer all the banking facilities of a high street bank though.

Food / The great British baked bean in Poland [26]

Will do, thanks Harry

Food / The great British baked bean in Poland [26]


Steady on! :D

Food / The great British baked bean in Poland [26]

I'll give it a go! Auchan and some other supermarkets have a brand or two stocked now (at Auchan they're in glass jars btw).

Love / Adultery- Is it ok for Polish women [41]

Sting or thing?

Law / Opening a Polish Bank Account by a foreigner in Poland. Recommendations. [299]

The only Alior accounts I could find charge each month - 8zl for the account and 5zl for the debit card. Perhaps if you have a salary and transfer it these fees are reduced or waived.


PS: Ah, I can see the Sync account but the page and forms are not in English, so it's not easy for a non Pole

News / The feud between Telewizja Republika and TV Trwam [18]

Alex many thanks, that was interesting.

News / The feud between Telewizja Republika and TV Trwam [18]


But I thought GP readers didn't like Gazeta Wyborca because GW was alleged to have persons of Jewish-Communist heritage at the helm??! But yet GP has Jewish folk in charge too??!

:D, that's really tickled me!

Law / HOW LONG DOES THE APPLICATION FOR KARTA POBYTU TAKE TO PROCESS IN POLAND! [36]

You might find it is waiting for you at some office. Phone them first and ask.

Life / Understanding Polish Mailing Addresses [21]

You're more than welcome, apologies that the other URL was incorrect and this should now work
maps.google.com/maps?oe=&q=3+Maja+44,+Ole%C5%9Bnica,+Poland&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x470fe2e3e15b71b5:0xa2b47546c19dd3e5,3+Maja+44,+Ole%C5%9Bnica,+Poland&ei=fjf3UI_MCMTFswbgsID4Cw&ved=0CDUQ8gEwAA

Life / Understanding Polish Mailing Addresses [21]


broken link removed

The 3 Maja is the name of the street or boulevard

44 is the building number in that street

8 is the apartment number

The remaining line is the town and zip/post code

History / POLAND: EASTERN or CENTRAL European country? [1080]

FWIW the vast majority of Britons I know of consider Poland "eastern Europe", for whatever reason. I can't think of one who would know it is in fact mostly central Europe.

Law / Testaments (Wills) in Poland - leave people specific things or only percentages/fractions? [6]

Thank you for that info on the notary, I didn't know that. Good tip!

Life / What are the best cars to buy in Poland? [40]

So no one buys used cars in Poland unless they're crackers?! No genuine sellers around, in a country of 30 million people????!!


Many moons later, I find myself asking the same question, and would repeat my question again.

Having browsed for a used car for some months now, it seems quite difficult to meet a private seller. Most seem to be dealers. They don't necessarily have an Arfur Daley setup and lot, but they are dealers. OK, so everyone's got to make a living, but I just wonder where the private sellers are? Dealers charge extra after they buy from a private person or auction. Where are these dealers sourcing cars from (assuming they're not stolen) because the number of private sellers found on popular websites is very small compared to people who turn out to be dealers.

Also, used cars here seem so expensive compared to the UK! What's that about, when new cars here are cheaper than the UK!?

I'm looking to buy a used car for someone else, with me having occasional use when I feel brave enough. If I go to Germany to buy one, although cheaper, I think I have to pay quite a few zł to register the car here (perhaps something like 1000 or more). Not sure that would be easy or fun, but may (incredibly!) be the only real option?!