Law / Pre-marital property laws in Poland [4]

I asked a lawyer in Poland about this, and he said it is not the case, and instead I got the advice to take out all the money in cash from the bank, wait 3 months, and then apply for a divorce? How does this sound?

Real Estate / Bank repossessed properties database in Poland? [15]

Why can it not be shared here if it is a legitimate resource for finding properties repossessed by banks?

Real Estate / Bank repossessed properties database in Poland? [15]

Even with real estate agents when good commercial property is for sale or rent they always have "friends" that they tip off, but if there is a full-blown economic crisis then the situation will surely be different, because then the people with cash will not be enough to pick up the many good properties that will forcibly be sold. I took a look today at repossessed proprties in Spain, and so far there is no sign of any repossesions, but give it maybe 2-3 months and I think there could be a huge number to choose from.

Real Estate / Bank repossessed properties database in Poland? [15]

Yes, I was thinking too that definitely it should be either for commercial properties or new developments where no one moved in yet.

Law / Maximum daily limit for international bank transfer to/out of Poland [11]

I have a private banking account and there is definitely no limit on any transfers, neither to or from Poland; however, big transfers coming regularly might certainly make suspicions arise, although it did not happen to me.

Real Estate / Bank repossessed properties database in Poland? [15]

Merged:

Repossessed bank properties in Poland

Is there any website in Poland to browse repossessed bank properties? I guess it might be an increasingly common thing now with the global financial crisis. It is okay if the website is in Polish.

Genealogy / THE MEANING AND RESEARCH OF MY POLISH LAST NAME, SURNAME? [4501]

Merged: Info on Staworzynski/Lukaszyk

Hi,

Does anyone know any info on the two last names Staworzynski and Lukaszyk?

Australia / Australian - Polish Passport / Citizenship [10]

Yes, it is possible. It will be even easier if your parents still hold Polish citizenship. There are a lot of formalities though and you will need someone who speaks and writes Polish to help you.

History / 'Defamation': The Anti-Semism Industry & Poland [188]

As an ethnic group the Jews have gained a disproportionate amount of power in world affairs. The Jews only constitute 0.2% percent of the world population, and yet they control the Federal Reserve and Bank of England and run the two institutions as private companies.

They have created a Holocaust industry to further their own interests. Jewish children are being taught that all non-Jews are anti-Semites. There is no freedom of speech when the topic concerns Jews. The Jews have even created laws in some countries that make it illegal to speak out against them by labeling it as antisemitism.

They have claimed exclusive rights to the Holocaust and the term Semites. Jews are allowed to ridicule Christianity and Islam, but they have made sure that no one dares to ridicule Judaism by creating draconian laws in European countries.

Love / I need advice: divorce and my rights as a father in Poland [165]

All these laws look very good on paper but in reality it is a maze of legal technicalities and bias. Don't go to Poland because you will regret it! If you have money for it then my advice is to start a legal process in your country for custody of the child.

She will be in an inferior position if she is in a foreign country and have no money to pay for good legal counseling. It is possible that she will realize her predicament and give you a good position in negotiations.

In matters such as these it is always preferable to solve things outside of court. Hopefully you have been prudent enough to take precautionary measures to protect your financial assets. I don't have any personal experience on the topic and have not followed the thread.

Life / Water from wells in Warsaw - Safe to drink? [24]


It was a necessity to boil the tap water in the past, now however it is quite safe to drink.

Genealogy / Do you think all Slavs are white? [178]

I have very strong suspicions that this thread is infiltrated by crypto-Jews. Personally I find the anti-Polish views put fourth here quite disgusting and anyone harboring such views should immediately be deported from Polish soil.

News / How Polish diaspora see future of Poland? as ethnic Polish state or just Polish in origin? [120]

I think Poland needs to become more multicultural and the first step is to open up the borders for unhindered immigration, secondly building minarets and implementing sharia laws, and lastly changing out the ethnic Poles with Africans and Middle Easterners.

The most exciting thing is that it is not the immigrants that change, instead the host country changes into the country which the immigrants came from. Some bigots might object to this, however I'm sure they come to sense eventually and embrace this great new future.

Import a lot of Somalis? Welcome to Warsawdishu! Import a lot of Iraqis? Welcome to Warsawabad! How about some Liberians? A great welcome to Warsawrovia! Woman, please do not forget to bring your hijab. I am sure though that Poland will be a better country for it.

Sweden used to be a very boring place a few years ago, but now we have exciting things such as schools and cars being torched and the second highest numbers of rapes in the world. Still, I kind of miss going out in the evening because of the gangs robbing and killing people.

None of you have to be worried about missing any of this though! Many Turks have lived in Germany since the 50's and do not speak a word of German. The United Kingdom already look like Islamabad in some parts.

Law / Polish EU Drivers Licence - can I get one the easy way (by paying for it)? [185]

Listen, it is not possible to buy a genuine driving license in the European Union! The only way to get a Polish driving license is if you are a citizen or long-time resident and have a residence permit. Bribing your way through the exam is not a viable option as the instructors are closely watched and it even occurs that conversations in the cars are recorded.

It is possible to buy a fake EU driving licenses of very good quality, but it will never pass for genuine if you are stopped by the police. Keep in mind that being in possession of a fake driving license is a serious criminal offense.

I highly doubt that a Ukrainian driving license can be exchanged for a Polish driving license. The rules are the same in all EU countries and therefore Poland has to apply the same rules as all other member states of the union. Residents of Poland with a Ukrainian driving license would have to pass the exam before they can exchange their driving license for a Polish one.

And no, there is absolutely no exception to the resident rule to get a Polish driving license. Sweden is one of the most expensive and hardest countries in the world to get a driving license in, so it would be a treat for Swedish people if they could come to Poland and get a Polish driving license.

Poland is not some banana republic where money can buy everything. Please keep in mind that I do not imply that it is easy to get a Polish driving license, just that it is much harder in Sweden than in Poland. Do not post your email in the forum as spam bots will pick it up.

Law / GBP to PLN: Best way to get good exchange rate? [22]


Oh, that brings back some funny memories.

Law / GBP to PLN: Best way to get good exchange rate? [22]


Don't walk around with that much money! Criminals are on the lookout outside currency exchange vendors. You will definitely be taken for easy prey.

Traveler's cheques are safer or a credit card to make small withdrawals at ATMs inside bank offices. You can also use the credit card to pay at hotels or other locations you deem safe.

It is safest to take a small sum of banknotes with you. Exchange half the sum at your embarkation point and the other half at your destination.

Hotels can often provide currency exchange services and and this is safer than walking around town with a large sum of money. Better safe than sorry, right?

Just don't exchange large sums at the hotel as the exchange rate will most likely be quite bad. If you need a large sum of money to make a purchase then it is always safest to use the bank if it is possible and the money is legal.

Life / $3,000-$4,000 a month - would we have enough money to live in Poland? [273]


Right, that is why I mentioned to him that it might be possible to apply for a residence permit in Poland. So just to be clear: You need to apply for a Polish residence permit, which you can do once you arrive in Poland.


Yeah, being ripped off is even a problem for Polish people that live in other countries and come to Poland. Still, that happened quite frequently during communist times also. Cheating and greediness was even more of an issue back then. A lost and naive person would be spotted and considered a frajer, easy pray to scam. Poland is definitely no place for naive people.

A common scam was when Polish people came to Belarus and were told they had to pay more because a percentage would go to Poland. Of course they were never told this if they did not notice that they were being scammed.

Just don't expect to get a job in Poland unless you are well educated and speak Polish. If you have some specialist knowledge that is in demand then you might not even need to speak Polish. There are of course exceptions but in general Poland has no need for uneducated foreigners.

Life / $3,000-$4,000 a month - would we have enough money to live in Poland? [273]

It is true that you can reside in Poland if your wife is a citizen of Poland, however you must first apply for a spouse visa at the Polish embassy in your country.

The spouse visa is the same as a residence permit and it allows you to work legally in Poland. A marriage certificate is not a substitute for a residence permit.

Some member states of the European Union allow foreign citizens to apply for a spouse visa at the immigration office in the country of their spouse.

To enter the European Union they would first need to apply for a tourist visa at the embassy in their country.

Citizens of the United States are exempt from this rule as they can stay in the European Union for 90 days as tourists without a visa.

I'm sure this information will come in handy as woman tend to change their mind quite often. My experience is that it is hardest for Americans to adjust to a new country, so I believe that your wife has some merit to be worried.

Life / $3,000-$4,000 a month - would we have enough money to live in Poland? [273]


Whoa, that seems incredible. I live in Sweden and it is considered to be one of the most expensive countries in the world, yet a couple can get by on 1000 zloty a month for groceries.

I will take some more examples: Broadband and cable TV is 100 zloty a month depending on connection speed and selection of channels. The rent for a two bedroom apartment centrally located in the 13th largest city in Sweden is 1350 zloty a month.

Health care is subsidized and no health insurance is therefore needed. There are pay as you go SIM cards that charge 0,50 zloty to start the call and then you can talk for as long as you wish.

I usually buy cheap clothes and pay 50 zloty for a pair of jeans or a sweater. A pair of shoes for 75 zloty. Car insurance for a Ford Focus from 2008 would cost about 210 zloty a month.

Education is free in Sweden and kindergarten is free when the children reaches 4 years of age. Both the mother and father have the right to paid leave from their job for 480 days total to attend to the child.

A couple living in an apartment would pay about 200 zloty a month for electricity. Water and heating is included in the rent in Sweden.

Unemployment is very high in Sweden and many Swedish people live on welfare which is 1840 zloty a month in Stockholm (a bit less in smaller cities). The government provides in addition to this aid to pay for the rent. On welfare people can enjoy a normal standard of living in Sweden.

According to statistics, consumer prices are 79% higher in Stockholm than in Warsaw. Groceries prices are 117% higher in Stockholm than in Warsaw. Restaurant prices are 118% higher in Stockholm than in Warsaw. The local purchasing power is 39% higher in Stockholm than in Warsaw.

The United States is definitely not a country where I would like to live if what you write is true. The median income in Sweden is according to the latest statistics $2,727 a month before taxes, meaning that a couple would have a combined income of $5454 a month before taxes.

Please keep in mind the cost figures I gave above, and then kindly answer me how people in the United States get by if they have such high monthly expenses to pay in relation to their income? People in Sweden are not rich.

In Sweden a couple can get by on 5000 zloty a month including all expenses. This figure is based on the couple living in a centrally located one bedroom apartment in the 13th largest city in Sweden. According to your figures I conclude that a couple in the United States need to have a combined income of over $4000 a month (before taxes?) to enjoy a normal standard of living, correct?

Life / $3,000-$4,000 a month - would we have enough money to live in Poland? [273]

I think most people in Poland would think that you are joking if you ask if $4000 a month is enough to get by in Poland. I don't know what kind of standard of living you are used to but $4000 a month can accommodate a very high standard of living in Poland.

Sweden is much more expensive than Poland but a large number of the Swedish population get by on about 1500 zloty a month excluding aid to pay for the rent. The GDP per capita is higher in Sweden than in the United States.

Health care and medicines are subsidized in Sweden. Dental care is expensive though. The food in Poland is half as expensive as in Sweden. Public transportation in Sweden is almost four times as expensive as in Poland.

I think life in Poland will be very different from your life in the United States. Personally I think your wife has reason to worry if you will cope with the adjustment.

Gdynia is not bad though. I think Gdansk is nicer and because of the proximity to Gdansk it would be no problem for you and your family to live there. Of course, it is a matter of taste and you will have to see for yourself what city you prefer. Your wife most certainly knows the two cities better than me.

Love / How easy is it to pick up a girl from a club/bar in Warsaw ? [65]

When the girls come to you instead of the other way around then it is usually a bad indicator. And no, it does not change just because you tell yourself that girls like you just because you are such a genuinely nice guy. Good girls need to be won by heart, not by checkbook.

Life / Gypies/Indian-looking women with kids beg for money in Poland [143]

I agree that gypsies don't belong in Europe and they should be chased away! They definitely do not belong in Europe. A lot of gypsies have recently come to Sweden from Romania and they bring the same misery as they do in Poland.

USA, Canada / REFUSED A HOLIDAY VISA TO THE U.S CAUSE IM POLISH [323]

I think the economic situation is dire in the United States and when reality catches up with the American people many Americans fill find themselves illegal immigrants in Canada instead. Polish people only come to the United States because of the country's old reputation, but everyone I know who came there left after experiencing the country first hand. The former West German chancellor Helmut Schmidt recently said in an interview that Germany welcomes their European brothers from Poland to Germany. Changing Europe for the United States would be a bad choice.

USA, Canada / REFUSED A HOLIDAY VISA TO THE U.S CAUSE IM POLISH [323]

Many countries which would be good a choices to immigrate are not a viable option because of harsh immigration laws. Compared to other Asian countries Singapore does not have harsh immigration laws, but it is still hard to immigrate there if you do not fulfill certain criteria.

Everyone who are granted a residence permit in Singapore will be drafted into military recruit training. The penalty for refusing military service is extremely harsh. In addition to this all citizens and residence permit holders are required to undergo re-training every year to remain combat ready.

The Asian culture also offers quite a culture shock for many Europeans. I know of many Europeans who have lived there for over 20 years and they claim it still is as if they just arrived. My observation is that the adjustment is hardest for Americans and Brits.

Yes, the Middle East is not a good choice for western woman to immigrate to. Oman and Kuwait are probably the most dangerous of the GCC countries for woman.

If immigrants are to make a new life in a country it is important that the immigration laws in that country are friendly towards immigration.

In Sweden no people starve but life is hard because of the climate, isolation and jobs are scarce, especially for youth because of the highest youth unemployment rate in the EU.

The lack of apartments is so extreme that one has to wait several years in line to get a first hand contract to rent an apartment in a ghetto in the suburbs of Stockholm! The average wait for a first hand contract in central Stockholm is 20 years.

Swedish people are also very timid and cold, so it is really hard to get to know anyone on any deeper level.

The immigration from Africa and the Middle East has spun out of control and Sweden has the second highest number of reported rapes in the world after Lesotho in Africa. In 2009 Sweden had the third highest rate of violent crime in the EU.

Polish construction workers that come to Sweden can usually find a job. The salary can be good if they manage to avoid paying tax. Sweden claims to be one of the least racist countries in the world, but it is in fact a very racist country towards non-white people.

The reason the Swedish economy was so little affected by the economic crisis is because the government saved in on everything! Social benefits, schools, hospitals and so on. Sweden was very badly prepared for the huge wave of mass immigration.

Many people are afraid right now that the housing bubble here will burst. Sweden was one of few countries in the world where the real estate prices went up during the economic crisis! The Swedish people have the largest housing debt in the world.

USA, Canada / REFUSED A HOLIDAY VISA TO THE U.S CAUSE IM POLISH [323]

According to Gallup the countries that most people want to immigrate to are Singapore, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Switzerland, Australia and Kuwait. Sweden is number one in the European Union. Does this list represent the best countries to immigrate to? Hardly in my opinion.

The most important factor to weigh in is the migrant himself, so it would entirely depend upon you which country would suit you best. The United States has fallen low on the list of countries which people want to immigrate to. According to the World Bank the best country for business is Singapore.

In UBS annual survey of global prices and earnings the global purchasing power is higher in both Zurich, Copenhagen and Geneva than in Oslo. Berlin is quite far down on the list. In terms of domestic purchasing power Oslo is even below Vienna!

All the countries of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf have high salaries if you have a good job, but many blue collar workers in Dubai bitterly regret that they ever came there.

For retirement destinations I would turn to the annual global retirement index by International Living. Of course salaries are not everything and therefore quality of life is a better indicator.

Genealogy / Does anyone know where the name Ciupa is derived from? [28]


It seems that Poland is the country in the world with the highest number of fools, doesn't it? Oh well.

USA, Canada / REFUSED A HOLIDAY VISA TO THE U.S CAUSE IM POLISH [323]

It is always useful to have several passports issued by different countries. Polish passports do not provide any other benefits than those of other member states of the European Union. In general the same visa requirements apply to Polish passports as for other member states of the European Union. The only exception is the United States where Polish citizens require a visa to enter the country.

For a second or third passport many countries in South America offer a relatively easy way for foreigners to gain citizenship. Some countries in the Caribbean offer similar opportunities. In South America I can recommend Brazil even if Brazilian citizens require a visa to enter the United States. I do not believe it to be a great disadvantage though as the United States is past it's time. There are so many other countries which are much better choices to immigrate to.

Genealogy / Does anyone know where the name Ciupa is derived from? [28]

I think it is a very strange last name in Poland. Honestly, I can't imagine anyone from Poland having that last name as it implies just like Polonius3 wrote that someone is a fool.