Work / Self-employed American living in Poland? Is it possible? [46]

Everything depends upon going to Poland with some money to begin with. Setting up a company, and producing a profit in year one above 60K PLN will assure residency for at least 3 years. 1500 PLN per month for ZUS, 800 PLN or so for accounting, plus what ever you pay yourself. You can easily live a nice comfortable life as a single person on 24K USD annually. If you are earning more, or course its better. There are plenty of good real estate opportunities outside of the major cities. I have a friend in Katowice who just paid 150K PLN for a very nice flat about 10 minutes outside of the city. Like anything, planning and being prepared is key.

Real Estate / Home loan in Poland based on my US credit score? [15]

There is no Polish bank that uses USA scores. There is another system in Poland. If you don't have a PESEL, you aren't getting any kind of credit, and if your money isn't going into a Polish bank from USA, your income is not verifiable. Mortgages in Poland are based on your Polish score, income, and your age which gives a maximum duration for the mortgage. Lenders are much more conservative than in USA, so if you don't have some cash, its not going to be easy.

Work / Self-employed American living in Poland? Is it possible? [46]

I am an American living in Krakow. It can be done. You will need some money to get started, but its a fairly smooth process. You don't apply for a Visa, that's a mistake. Your company is not Polish and can not obtain a Visa for you. You will need temporary residency which you can get as a business person who owns a business in Poland. This will take a couple thousand USD. If its Krakow, I can recommend my attorneys who successfully got me through the process. Message me if you want more info.

Law / Closing an inactive company in Poland (limited liability company) [13]

@Abd10
Youre better off selling it to someone for a few dollars and getting your name off of it. I may know someone who would be interested if the price is right. DM me

News / How could PiS better spend billions instead of 500+ ? [275]

Tax and spend is what has the USA in the position it is in. Once you get in so deep, there is no amount of cutbacks that can get you out.

News / Scandals, conflicts, tensions, arguments - real life examples from Poland [439]

@Dirk diggler
Of course now we go to childish behavior and name calling. Not exactly how an intelligent business leader would react. Maybe I should update my profile since my Polish has improved considerably thanks to language school.

Intelligent discourse with you clearly will never take place because you lack the key ingredient.

News / Scandals, conflicts, tensions, arguments - real life examples from Poland [439]

@Dirk diggler "Same principles apply worldwide in capitalist countries."

Indeed. Principles are theory and theory works anywhere until its put into practice and found not to work. Poland business practices are nothing like USA. The only exception being that both countries have their own currency.

I am sorry to hear you have to have someone drive you around to collect cash and checks. That usually happens when people don't want to pay you. I just sit in my office while people pay in advance on line. Have a nice day.

News / Scandals, conflicts, tensions, arguments - real life examples from Poland [439]

@Dirk diggler
Owning a business in USA is not in Poland. Wroclaw is not indicative of any other part of the country either. I deal with big companies, those employing a minimum of 500 in most cases, and several employing thousands. Those CEO's and their HR counterparts are already talking about hiring freeze's today. In USA, where I also employ people, those I work with are still not hiring full time employees because of the increased insurance costs associated with them.

Quality employees in Poland isn't really a problem with the education system. Jobs are filled rather quickly, you stated as much several times. If anyone believes a nearly doubling of minimum work contracts wont crush the hiring and growth of a country, then they really haven't tried to pass increased costs on to the consumer before.

News / Scandals, conflicts, tensions, arguments - real life examples from Poland [439]

@Rich Mazur
Great point. In Krakow and other cities, the real estate market is slowing and starting to decline in some areas. While it is nice when there is a buyers market, it does not stimulate more investment. Gdansk is another city where real estate is starting to trend down.

When speaking with other decision makers in business yesterday, not one of them was excited about having to raise prices to cover rising costs. Not one of them was happy to pay more into ZUS the way ZUS is being operated financially.

The service industry will remain insulated simply because of tourism in major cities, and they a non typical employees. They are not on contracts and work for tips. Manufacturing on the other hand would be crushed. Tourism will not drive the Polish economy, just as it wont drive the US economy.

News / Scandals, conflicts, tensions, arguments - real life examples from Poland [439]

@Dirk diggler
This is where your argument becomes nonsensical. Firstly, pointing out that you have an MBA doesn't impress people, it shows you have an inferiority complex. Second, I never supported PO and paid no attention to daily politics in Poland until I moved here. Other than historical Politics there wasn't much need to for me.

Arguing the minimum wage increase wont bother employers is ignoring the facts of forced labor cost increases damaging business in the United States. Remember how increased employer costs with Obamacare cause employers to not hire full time employees?

As a business owner for more than 25 years, in multiple sectors, what effects the bottom line is what is considered first. Forced cost increases will immediately slow new business development and will definitely slow growth.

The reason the Ukrainians are here is because they are leaving the Ukraine for work that Poles typically wont accept. They are leaving the Ukraine for a better life here in Poland. They are not a catalyst for economic growth if this wage hike takes place.

Reading the news and forming an opinion is not the same as actually living in the country and experiencing what is really happening on the ground.

@mafketis
I live in Cracow Centrum. I went through the residency process and am going through the citizenship process. Pretty sure I have a good idea on what is going on here with immigration.

News / Scandals, conflicts, tensions, arguments - real life examples from Poland [439]

@Dirk diggler
Spending money they don't have? Giving money away as social welfare and bribery to keep people having children and staying in Poland. This is what it is. But how long will the social welfare bribery last?

Latest proposal in the news yesterday was raising work contract monthly minimum from 2250 pln per month to 4000 pln per month, thus also increasing monies paid to ZUS that can be diverted and pay for these social welfare programs. Meanwhile it discourages people from hiring, starting new business, and discourages foreign investment. This is the economic growth policy of PIS.

Lets not get into the inflation it would trigger based on automatically increased operation costs passed on to the consumer. Poles think food is getting expensive now? Wait until this passes, if it passes.

While I like the protections PIS has in place for immigration and these things, having gone through the process, the economic policies are worse than any democratic social welfare policies in the USA.

Life / Why Do You Love Poland? [907]

@Dougpol1
I actually thought of that Visa tit for tat idea. But was told by the investigator that is was actually simply because it is so uncommon for an American to request residency that they are surprised when it happens. The Visa situation is likely to change for Poland. If your understand the Visa approval process, and who actually is processing the Visa's, the waivers are based on successful application numbers compared with denials. Once successful applications reach a certain threshold, which Poland is now approaching, the waiver will happen. It really has very little to do with Poles over staying their Visa's now. I know this because I do a lot of Visa work for athletes going to the USA and Canada in my business.

Life / Why Do You Love Poland? [907]

As with nearly everything political there are some hard line issues. I am a legal resident of Poland, pure Polish ancestry on both sides of my family. I pay taxes in Poland, have moved my business to Poland, and employ Polish people. I am learning the language, and assimilating. Yet according to hard liners, I am not Polish because I do not have a Polish passport.

Yet, the person who refuses to assimilate, and has a Polish passport by birth, is "Polish"? If you take the same argument to the USA, then everyone born on USA soil regardless of their assimilation should be a USA citizen. Yet in USA we want to drill down further and look if their parents entered the country legally.

The difficulty I went through in getting Karta Pobytu even with my ancestry, I was comfortable with. Irritated, but comfortable with the process and the thoroughness of it. This came across as a country being protective of who lives in the country, which is something I like.

Life / Why Do You Love Poland? [907]

While I agree with many of the discussion points on many topics in this forum, I cant agree with the theory or rule of being born on Polish soil or of Polish parentage making you Polish. Polish, in my opinion is the assimilation into Polish society and the acceptance of those traditions, language, and customs of the country.

While Poland is not a widely multicultural society, examples of this assimilation or non-assimilation can be seen everywhere. I recently met an Asian who is a Polish citizen by birth, but does not participate in traditionally Polish customs, or share conservative viewpoints, and prefers to speak Thai or English over Polish. This to me is someone who may live here, but is not really part of the Polish society.

I have also met Poles from London who don't speak Polish but carry Polish passports. To call them "Polish" is a stretch in my opinion when they only return to Poland for weddings or funerals.

As an American, living in large multicultural communities in the past, it was assimilation into "American" life that made "foreigners" not seen as being foreign by the community.

While I understand there are strong opinions on "walls" and immigration on this forum, I believe part of those opinions are formed because of non-assimilation of those foreigners that have helped create those arguments.

Life / Why Do You Love Poland? [907]

What about foreigners who have Polish heritage seeking to reclaim that heritage or citizenship? Are their distinct differences in types of foreigners? What about foreigners that are descendants of those who fled one of the great wars?

I ask because as a "foreigner" legally living in Poland, the native Polish people I know say that being Polish is not simply a matter of having been "born" on Polish soil. Many instances of those born on Polish soil yet not being accepted as "Polish" have been pointed out to me in person. While yet more instances of people being accepted as "Polish" yet not having been born here are also pointed out to me.

Some have gone so far as to say that being Polish is about living Polish, and not as much about being born in Poland.

USA, Canada / What do you think about NM (New Mexico) state? [40]

@pawian
It is not where one would go to avoid multicultural society, if that is politically correct.

USA, Canada / What do you think about NM (New Mexico) state? [40]

@pawian
Pretty much the same as ten years ago.

Language / So why did you give up learning Polish? [105]

As someone currently taking Polish courses in Krakow I can see both sides. This is an incredibly difficult language to learn, yet satisfying to use when native Poles understand what you are trying to convey when speaking. If you live here and do not try to learn the language, it simply makes you look ignorant and disrespectful in my opinion. Most Poles I have met are very forgiving when it comes to mispronunciation of words, or improper sentence structure as long as you can get your thought across. The do appreciate the effort any non native makes to learn and communicate in Polish.

Law / Traveling abroad while waiting for Karta Pobytu, as a citizen of US in Poland [3]

I recently completed and received Karta Pobytu process for an entrepreneur in Krakow. I can tell you that leaving Schengen for USA was not a problem. Returning though, the passport control officers in Amsterdam actually questioned me about the stamp in my passport. It ended up not being an issue, but it did draw attention.

The process in Krakow from start to finish, with a request for more documents, and personal interview took 6 months. This is from date of application submission to receiving decision. Decision is not sent by mail. Received text message and had to go and pick up. You must have two identification documents with you. Passport and official PESEL assignment letter will be enough. Picking up physical Karta Pobytu card will take an additional 30 to 60 days, and you will receive that notice via text message as well. At arrival you will also need two forms of ID, I would recommend bringing the decision letter, and you will submit your fingerprints again to receive the card.

News / Trump will hold Poland up as an example for other nations to follow [106]

Miloslaw is probably correct on Trump inability to find Poland on the map. All this posturing for Polish votes in USA and then not delivering on his promises for Visa's and Visa waivers says all any Pole needs to know about him. Make promises with no intention of keeping them. But that's fake news too I am sure.

Travel / What is the weather like in Poland where you are now? [185]

In Krakow its certainly been hot. But, its definitely better than cold. Heading to Krynica Zdroj tomorrow and it is supposed to be a little cooler.

Work / Taxes in Poland if working for American company? [12]

A good accountant is critical. VAT and ZUS can be troubling. VAT certification alone makes things difficult, it is not as simple as just signing up to collect and pay VAT. There is a physical inspection of the place you will conduct business. ZUS for a foreigner is expensive to start out until you get residency or citizenship. Do things by the book though or it will not only take you longer, but it will cost you more and in the end you may not get what you had hopped for. I set up my company before moving to Poland and everything was done through attorneys with experience.

USA, Canada / Will U.S. Citizens Need A Visa To Visit Poland Starting In 2021 [11]

This is an EU money making opportunity. Nothing more. The whole process will almost be instant on line clearance and it will cost 7 to 10 USD. That's a nice chunk of change in the EU coffers.

History / Poland - problem for Germany? (historically continual hostility of German state on Poland) [154]

Please. The Poles I work with and employ would string you up for saying there is no big problem. Its GERMANY for Christ sake. Every person with Polish blood should take issue with any German who does not visit a death camp and understand what happened. History can not be ignored.

Law / Buying an established business in Poland [10]

Its simple. Consumable items are what sell. Tourists and residents alike all need the little things. This is why Zabka does so well. They fill a niche and do it very well. In smaller cities there are sole proprietors doing the same thing also doing well. The margins they work in though I wouldn't know.

Keep in mind too, that Krakow is not just Rynek. Its a big city and it has a very large transient population. The key to any successful business here is going to be your property lease and then your concept. Some things clearly wont work in some cities though. Mexican food for instance. the one Mexican place looks like it has been a dying business for years.

If you want to buy an existing business, that has long standing income, and reputation, you are going to pay a premium for it. Business start up costs for a non resident are not cheap, and everyone is skeptical until you can actually prove to them you are committed to the community and Poland. Lots of pretenders coming to Poland with little money and a big dream only to find its not as easy as one would think.

If you want specifics, or to talk about a specific idea, message me directly.

Law / Buying an established business in Poland [10]

@delphiandomine

Sunday ban was clearly not well thought out. Living here, a few weeks ago, I needed something that couldn't be purchased at Zabka or the like on a Sunday. Real pain in the a$$. Most of my friends who work all week, used Sundays to go to the Galleria and other shopping, now they have to rush to do it and definitely don't spend the extra time and money enjoying it.

Law / Buying an established business in Poland [10]

Where did you get that info? Not that I am disputing it, just interested in researching those things.

Life / Worst aspects of living in Poland? [82]

Smog and air pollution is way over stated by people. Its nothing compared to LA or SLC in the States. You can smell coal burning but as for real smog, its next to zero.

Law / Anybody adept in requirements for non-EU citizens to start business in Poland? [39]

Yes. Hire an attorney. The VAT process is complicated and you need one to do it right. Also banking can be an issue. I am American and went through all of this, no way I would do it alone.

Work / Poland Work Permit / Study Visa Processing Times [191]

We will have to disagree. I have had many frustrations with Polish red tape in business. Banking laws, among other things change quite frequently without notice.

Anyone seduced by coffee and comfortable chairs isn't a business person, they are a sucker. Anyone can rent an office and hang advertising for services. What they cant easily do is be members of the BAR in the United States and Poland, have translators in the office, and have won awards for their practice.

While I will admit money doesn't buy everything, money and appearances do matter. You are right about ZUS though. This is critical now. And for foreigners it is no longer as inexpensive it was even a year ago.