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Posts by ska  

Joined: 6 Sep 2015 / Female ♀ 		Last Post: 14 Dec 2021
Threads: 9
Posts: 14 		From: Wroclaw

Displayed posts: 23
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ska   
14 Dec 2021
Law / Buying an unregistered car in Poland? [8]

Merged:

How to register a car in Poland, as a foreigner



Hi,
I'm interested in buying a (used) car. I've heard and seen that foreigners are allowed to buy and register a car in poland.

Could you please provide detailed instructions on how to do that (where to go and what documents I need to bring)?
Thanks!
ska   
11 Nov 2021
Real Estate / What's your opinion on cooperative ownership (spoldzielcze wlasnosciowe prawo) when buying a flat? [NEW]

Hello!

I am interested in buying a flat -- so I've been searching. I found one that's interesting for me. However, I found out that it's not a typical ownership (at least to me) -- the owner/seller told me the flat is "cooperative ownership (spoldzielcze wlasnosciowe prawo)". I've read about this (see two articles below), although I had to use Google translate. Essentially, it sounds legal and legit, however this comes without a land register, thus I do not own any portion of a land that this building sits on.

bankier.pl/smart/spoldzielcze-wlasnosciowe-prawo-do-lokalu-czym-jest
studiaiuridica.pl/resources/html/article/details?id=188843&language=pl

What is a practical implication of this?
From a theoretical perspective, a typical ownership (which comes with a land register) seems better and worth more than cooperative ownership (spoldzielcze wlasnosciowe prawo). However, is that true in practice? Should not owning a land result in this type of flats being priced much cheaper -- then by what margin? Will it be harder to sell it in the distant future? Perhaps, polish people do not consider these different types of ownership to be significant? And should I walk away from this type of deals (which is by far a minority of all flats in a secondary market)?

I would like to hear opinions of those who have lived and purchased flats in Poland.
ska   
19 Nov 2018
Law / Traveling abroad while waiting for Karta Pobytu, as a citizen of US in Poland [3]

Hi,

I'm an American working in Poland. I've been waiting for Karta Pobytu for a year now. I've been told that I will likely receive an approval, but it is slow. I have gotten a stamp on my passport that indicates that I've applied. In December, I plan to travel outside of Schengen zone and obviously will come back to Poland for work and life :) I've heard that a stamp is sufficient for living in Poland legally until the decision comes out. And If I'm legally allowed to live in Poland, then I feel that I'm legally allowed to be in Schengen zone -- but I've heard that there is no such clear law. Of course, I'm also worried that in the eyes of German border controls (my flights connect at Frankfurt), I have broken the EU/Schengen zone rule (30 days out of 90 days). I essentially don't know if the Karta Pobytu application process in Poland has been propagated throughout Schengen zones (or at least attached to my passport), so that there is a little confusion about my status.

Let me know about your experiences.
Best,
ska   
25 Jun 2017
Life / Changing carbon/wood-burning to gas heating system, in Wroclaw - Poland [2]

Hi,

In my flat in Wroclaw, there's only the carbon/coal/wood burning stove to heat up. However, there's a gas installed/connected that can be used for heating (e.g., "dual-use"). I also heard that the city of Wroclaw is reimbursing the cost of changing the heating system to gas.

Could you give me more information about this -- what's a rough estimate of changing the heating system? and what's the exact reimbursement process/amount? Ideally, I'd like to contract this work out to a company who would remove the carbon/wood-burning system (large block stove) and would claim the reimbursement from the city on my behalf. If you know anyone that specializes in this, please let me know.

Thanks!
ska   
19 Jan 2017
Real Estate / Buying a residential flat/apt in Poland as a foreigner [24]

Hello,

I'm American, having worked and lived full-time in Poland for a few years. I am interested in buying a flat/apartment in Wroclaw. I know it's possible without any permit, but have some questions.

Do you think it's a good idea, generally? If I get a bank loan, what would be interest rates (rough approximation is fine)? Can I get benefits from the Polish government (please tell me what current benefits/tax breaks are)? Should I utilize a real estate agent or a lawyer (i'm imaging most Polish people just sign contract without those special people)?

Thanks!
ska   
23 Aug 2016
Law / Not having a car insurance for a little while in Poland [9]

Hello,

I have a car that has been registered and insured for the last 1 year. Now, the insurance renewal must be done now, but I'm going to be out of Poland for several months. I'm wondering if I can just postpone paying for a insurance renewal. So, I will have an uninsured car under my name for 6 months. Of course, when I come back and want to use the car, I will pay for an insurance. Is there any legal problem with this?

Thanks for info.
ska   
4 May 2016
Law / Agencies for residence permit application in Poland [5]

Merged: Visa Agency in Wroclaw, to get a Belarusian visa without going to Warsaw

Hi,

I'm trying to get a short-term visa to Belarus with my USA passport. However, I can't visit Warsaw any time soon. When I called the Belarusian embassy in Warsaw, they said I can find a visa agency/agent in Wroclaw to submit and obtain a visa. Do you know any visa agency/agent in Wroclaw?

Thanks!
ska   
12 Apr 2016
Law / Do Americans need to pay double tax on earned income in Poland? [5]

Hi,

I'm an American citizen, and working in Poland. I do not qualify for Foreign Earned Income Exclusion because I do not meet the requirement (didn't live in Poland > 300 days/year). With a proper contract/company, my income is already deducted for income tax, pension, health insurance ZUS, and others (by Polish government). Now, I must file the US tax and I just found out that (at least online e-filing) I'll be double-taxed.

Yet, the online search suggests that either (1) I don't have to pay tax on foreign income upto $90,000 or something like that or (2) Poland-USA has an agreement to avoid double taxation. Yet, online e-filing systems do not recognize this (even when I click on Poland as my residency and income source). I would really appreciate other people's experience.

Thanks!
ska   
1 Dec 2015
Travel / Any Natural Spa Resort near Wroclaw? [4]

niemcza

Hi delphiandomine, thanks a lot for the suggestion. I think we may go out there very soon. One thing I could not find out from the website or trip advisor is whether the swimming pool, jacuzzi, and saunas are free to day visitors. We are thinking about going for the day and participate in 1hr spa treatments (or rituals in the sauna; what is it btw?). If you have done a day trip before, please let me know how much the swimming pool, jacuzzi, and saunas would cost? All reviews seem to talk about staying overnight.

Thanks!

FYI, the spa (including jaccuzi, heated pool, and saunas) was 45zl. This includes a tower & a pair of slippers. It isn't small-medium sized, but when we went on Friday, it was practically empty. Recommended for a quick trip from Wroclaw :)
ska   
9 Nov 2015
Travel / Any Natural Spa Resort near Wroclaw? [4]

Hi,

I am looking for an affordable spa resort close to Wroclaw. We would love to see some nature and can reach a resort within 30-60min driving. Ideally, it would be a long day trip but we could potentially stay overnight.

I also read this article but these locations seem to be too far away for a day trip - independent.co.uk/travel/europe/the-polish-soviet-style-spa-experience-8557381.html

Is there any thing that's close to Wroclaw? I appreciate if you can explain your experience and cost :)

Thanks!
ska   
22 Sep 2015
Travel / Pros and Cons about Driving from Wroclaw to Krakow [6]

Do you know how much tolls would cost and how long the drive (realistic + foreigners!) would be? Lastly, is Krakow welcoming in terms of parking and driving in the city?
ska   
22 Sep 2015
Travel / Pros and Cons about Driving from Wroclaw to Krakow [6]

Hi,

Our group of 4 people are going from Wroclaw to Krakow for a weekend. Considering convenience, parking, and costs, is it better to drive or to take a public transportation?

Thanks for your suggestions!
ska   
10 Sep 2015
Real Estate / Who pays for the real estate agency's cost in Poland? [26]

I am writing this, only to provide a coherent narrative to future readers. To clarify once again, the real estate agent (who is extremely nice and helpful) did not make us sign a contract until we agreed to take the flat. All communications were gone through the agency and we didn't even have the landlord's contact information. In the end, we paid the real estate agency fee (and signed a lease agreement with a landlord and an agency agreement with an agent). Since we are a group of foreign students in Wroclaw, it is quite daunting or impossible to take the agency to the court. And giving up on this flat after searching hundreds of ads and seeing so many flats over so many days seem unreasonable at this point (especially friends and strangers alike are telling us it will only get worse in Wroclaw as Oct approaches). Of course, we were to do this over again, we would look for flats without agents or simply ask the agent about their fees; in this way, we can compare the flats and their overall costs more accurately.

PS: such traditions are clearly ambiguous to foreigners in Poland. this thread would be easier to read and follow if a digression on UK laws is limited or hidden.
ska   
9 Sep 2015
Real Estate / Who pays for the real estate agency's cost in Poland? [26]

Hello Jardinero and everyone. Please don't take me wrong. I don't mean that the agent should work for fun. That's obviously not what I meant. I wish, in this particular instance, that the expectations were explained initially. This would have saved everyone time and agony, since our budget is limited one way or another. Of course, these all may have been obvious to local people and we take it as a learning process.

Just to be clear to the future visitors, in Poland, you pay for the real estate agency. If you want to avoid confusion, ask them up front about the real estate agency's cost borne out of the tenants.
ska   
8 Sep 2015
Real Estate / Who pays for the real estate agency's cost in Poland? [26]

Thanks jon357. We understand the importance of real estate agents, especially we are still learning Polish. In this regard, we do want him to be paid (somehow). However, personally it seems unfair since the agents are working for the landlords. I guess we can't simply refuse to pay the real estate agent??? If I had known this fact up front, we would have contacted one real estate agency to "represent" us (e.g., helping us negotiate the rent). Sorry for the rant...
ska   
8 Sep 2015
Real Estate / Who pays for the real estate agency's cost in Poland? [26]

Hi,

As a group of international students, we have been searching for flats to rent, and are finally close to choose one. We are very close to choose a flat and to sign the lease contract. Then suddenly, we are struck with a high real estate agency's cost (50% of 1 month rent). I mean, he has shown us this flat (when we contacted him via gumtree) but I don't know his cost would be borne out of us. We thought that such cost should be paid by the landlords who clearly hired the agency to work for them. We also feel like the agent did not explicitely tell us. Is this a typical and widespread practice in Wroclaw, Poland?
ska   
8 Sep 2015
Law / New Poland law -- old car insurer obligated to continue insurance on a vehicle that is between renewals? [23]

is OC insurance transferable in Poland?

Hi, I think my question is somewhat different from the rest of this thread. I don't mean anything about renewing the OC under the previous owner's name. I only mean whether the OC under the previous owner will continue to be effective (until its expiry date) if I purchase and register a car under my name.

From reading this forum, I have learnt that the OC is attached to the car. For example, anyone can drive my car (of course, with a permission) and would be still covered by OC. I wonder if this is still true if the car is sold.

Roger5, could you please elaborate what you mean (or where you get that information)?
ska   
8 Sep 2015
Law / New Poland law -- old car insurer obligated to continue insurance on a vehicle that is between renewals? [23]

Merged: New owner of an insured car - is OC insurance transferable in Poland? Registration.

Hello Poland,

I am interested in finding out if the OC (Obowiązkowe ubezpieczenie) is transferable. In other words, if I purchase a used car from a private owner (who has registered and bought OC under his/her name), does his/her insurance continue to be effective until its expiry date? Of course, I will buy a new OC under my name when the current OC under a previous owner's name expires. Or, am I obligated to purchase a new insurance under my name, immediately after buying (or registering) this particular car? Let's say if a police stops me (or I get into an accident), would OC under a previous owner's name be enough for legal purposes?
ska   
8 Sep 2015
Travel / 90 day in, 1 day out rule - the rule allowing to stay in Poland without penalty [3]

foreign citizen leaves Poland once every 90 days for 1 day

Where did you read that policy/rule/law? I believe that citizens of USA, Canada, Australia, and selected non-EU countries have 90 days out of 180 days rule. In other words, you can only stay in the Schengen Area upto 90 days (cumulatively) and you must leave the Schengen Area area for 90 days.

thesavvybackpacker.com/long-term-travel-europe/

Related: 90 day stay in Poland without a penalty? 30 days in Croatia

will be in Europe for 120 days. could i spend 90 days in Poland and 30 days in Croatia without a penalty? will there be a penalty of any sort if i stay 120 days in poland?

Yup, 90 out of 180 more or less. You could also go to the UK, Ukraine, Romania, Moldova, Bulgaria...
If you stay more than 90 days out of 180 in Schengen, if caught, it's an instant 1 year ban from the Schengen Zone.
90 days in Poland and 30 in Croatia would be fine, though.
ska   
6 Sep 2015
Law / Can't get a social security number/PESEL in Poland (I'm from UK) [56]

I will post again if they allow me to register or decline, so that forum readers can see what the situation is in this neck of the woods.

I am basically in the same situation. I do not have PESEL or maldunek, but I have purchased an used car in Wroclaw already. I am struggling to understand what to do and where to do. InWroclaw, please let me know what you have gone through.