Work / Expatriating to Poland... good career move for a young male? [50]

No i never ran that type of business in Poland but did help some friends start it,my experience is only in states.I dont know Chicago but in Nj you can usually buy an existing Liq license only and new ones are auctioned off and usually bought by TGIF,Applebees etc and depending on town can sell for over cpl mil$.I also have exp in bar and liq store but now im out of all that,but I see lots of apportunities in Poland everywhere.Also it dont cost much to open one provided you can get liq license and lotto license.In poland they still not doing it the right way eg covering the windows,dim yellow lights and high ceiling shelves,no proper displays etc.ATM is huge money in states but in Poland I heard is regulated and not privatised.Also like selling ice or icecream in winter is a no no in Poland as they think it will not sell.I remember once I asked a restaurant by me for ice and the guy laughingly told me to pick up from the street as it was snowing.

I havent been to Wroclaw over years now but as in Poland there are still so many apportunities.I know couple stores doing over 2/3 mil PLN gross a year and run pathetically.with 80K$ you can start a good business if you choose right location and merchandise in Poland ,in states you will need over 250k.I see the same trend coming to Poland as well very quickly.

If you have any questions PM me I will be glad to help if I can.

Work / Expatriating to Poland... good career move for a young male? [50]

You dont need to be by the university though,lost of apportunities I see exist in Poland since there are cluster of high rise buildings,unlike in states where to have 200 families living in houses occupy way larger area.I did the c store business for 25 years in the states and amazing what money it is in it.Poland now is also on the same path.You know I see kiosks in malls selling only lottery and I checked a bit into it and people make almost same money in Zlotays as in $ in states or more.Average lotto machine yields around 35 to 125K zlotay a year in Poland the same in $ in states which some c stores owners dont even care to keep in there stores in Poland saying its small money.Labour is cheap so one can even make better in poland if its done right.

Plus opening a store by university is a bad idea as most students are very money savy its best to open by a residential high rise building instead.

Work / Expatriating to Poland... good career move for a young male? [50]


It is a great idea,as Poland has so many apportunities which are unexploited.Many of my friends are thriving and making over 4/500k $ PY in small businesses.As in western countries there is competition and ideas from all over the world and is getting saturated,whereas in Poland those areas are still unexploited and Locals are not aware of that.

Life / Polish people are the most ignorant people in the world! [331]


most likely another jealous brit who is definately underachieved in his sad life and jealous of successful poles.I have never seen that feeling among poles for brits in Poland.

Work / Popular expat jobs in Poland [14]


like kindergarten teachers?Yuck changing diapers:(

Work / Popular expat jobs in Poland [14]


100% agreed.

Life / I woke up in Poland's Hilton of Drunks after the Juvenalia party. Must I pay the 300zl fine? [49]


Really?what is 300 euros these days and is certainly nothing if you go for shopping in any european country,esp if you are a tourist and dont know where credit cards are not accepted.Get real.

Work / Is 104000 PLN (yearly) a fair salary for a Software Architect in Wroclaw? [12]

Vit dont forget the cost of living in Poland is also probably 3 times cheaper or more.

Law / Business in Poland and Polish reality, How are you doing in Poland? [82]

Luke,like polishinvestor has said investing in real estate in Poland gets you good returns around 8 to 12% depending upon the property.I have been investing in Poland since 2001 returns are great low taxes(income & real estate).I do only buy commercial real estate as they are hassle free and also I prefer restaurants with liq licenses as if one fails its usually rented again in a month provided you own the equipment.Residentials, I stay away from as they are a hassle in Poland especially if you dont speak the language and returns are not that lucarative.

Also when you sign a lease(umowa) with a commercial tenant i sign 777(tripple net in usa) umowa duly notarised so you just have to get the permission in a week or so to evict the non paying tenant without going through the lengthy court process.Also dont sign a lease longer then 2 years as by polish law one cannot evict a tenant unless he is in default for 2 months then again you have to give him a notice for 1 month,to reduce that time in half you can write him a letter that you took the rent out from his kausia(security) and he has to make up to it in 21 days.

Also be carefull of buying some recently very popular conv-store chain renters as they can get out by giving 2 months notice in first 2 years who usually sign 10 yr leases.

In my opinion if you have the money and want hassle free money is your best way put.Oh I forgot to mention that dont forget you are making 5% minimum invisible money on your property appreciation that in worse case the property prices double in 20 yrs(thats a bonus)

Sorry forgot to add that you dont have to go through the hassle of paying ZUS or company taxes as it can be run individually and paying 8.5%income tax with no deductables thus just an accountant once a year to file your returns and monthly vat what you collect from tenants who also pay media and association fee.And you can also get your 100% VAT back if you are a VAT payer and paid VAT on the property you bought.