An interview with our friend Alexander, who recently returned from working in Poland, all about working conditions and salaries, the life of visitors and life in Poland.

A (Alexander): To speak like our people's deputies, or to tell you honestly?

AS (Adyu Scoop): No, we have a normal audience of the site, we need to publish insider material.

A: I know what an insider is (laughs).

AS: Sasha, the first question, where did you start?

A: Life forced me - I worked in the restaurant business, and after all the well-known events, this segment fell sharply ...

AS: More specifically, how did you find a way to leave?

A: I lived in Lvov, Poland is nearby, almost everyone talks about working in Poland. I thought - why not? Just hit the search engine How to move to Poland, read the forums, called the first five companies from the search. I did not like the first three on an intuitive level, probably because of the rude attitude. Then he came to one, talked, then to another, where the director of the company (that he was the director, I learned later) immediately endeared me. Then we came to Kyiv, I checked two more companies in Kyiv…

AS: Agencies?

A: Yes, yes! The price turned out to be 60 percent more than what was announced to me in Lviv, and I opted for the company where there was a normal director.

AS: And what budget did you need?

A: To be honest, I don’t remember, I think we paid 550-600 dollars for two.

AS: Did you take any money with you?

A: This is the total amount, of which we left 100 dollars and 50 euros for expenses.

AS: Listen, I was interviewing about working and living in the US, so I was told that I need to get to the States, and then look for a job. Did you do the opposite?

A: It turned out that I don’t know the language and I don’t know the country, so the bulk of the budget went to the selection of a vacancy and an invitation.

AS: And how did the agency's promises come true?

A: Yes, in principle, everything we agreed on, everything was the same and even better, but everything changed at the last moment. According to the documents, we went to pick berries, but we said that we would not deal with such nonsense and we were sent to work in a warehouse.

AS: How did it happen?

A: Look, you can get to work in Poland officially and unofficially, often our companies do not send directly to a specific employer. That is, invitations are issued for you, in which you go to pick berries in a provincial province, but in reality you go to earn money for another employer as a builder, for deboning meat or someone else.

Read also: Working abroad without knowing the language, even illegal, has advantages

A: Initially, we had to go to one warehouse, that is, we agreed that it would be a warehouse, and not some kind of production, not canned food, not meat, not rural work.

AS: And how are the conditions there?

A: There were conditions for me, I don’t know what to say. We were brought by bus to an office the size of a large housing office, two young Poles came out to us and began to say something in an incomprehensible language (laughs). First, the driver translated for us. But since the language is very similar and almost all young Poles speak English, we understood them. We were divided into two groups. One went to work in Poznan at an industrial warehouse, and the second group went to Gdansk.

Since I was with my soulmate, I had the main requirement that we have a private room, we were sent to Poznań. And the working conditions were different. In Gdansk, people received depending on the output, and in Poznań there was a fixed rate. We received PLN 8 for the day shift and PLN 9 for the night shift. Naturally, in an hour.

AS: A question about money - what salary can a person expect?

A: The fixed salary of unskilled workers from the CIS, in warehouses, varies from 8 to 10 zlotys, and piecework - from 9 to 12 per hour. This is if day shifts, if night shifts - a little more. The schedule is as follows: eight working hours, a five-day week, two days off.

NOTE:
In terms of dollars, the approximate salary is as follows:
Fixed salary per week - 85-105 dollars
Piecework payment per week - $ 90-125

AS: How much do you spend on food?

A: About $100 per person per month.

AS: Is it okay to eat?

A: Yes, you have everything.

AS: What about your free time, did you go for a walk somewhere?

A: Yes, I have two days off, and due to night shifts, there were three. I walked - there are beautiful cities, there is something to see, transport is really expensive - everywhere it costs 3 zł one way. In a cafe, a cup of coffee costs 3-4 zlotys, bank cards are accepted almost everywhere.

AS: What if you get sick?

A: which you draw up before leaving for Poland, covers only severe cases, and if you have a runny nose or a temperature, solve the problem yourself. The Poles are also not doing well with healthcare, there are private clinics everywhere, medicines are not cheap, but not expensive either.

AS: Did you have any cases?

A:, Mmmm... yes, one guy ate something and crushed the root of the tooth, he got a full tooth for 390 zł ( approx - 100-105 dollars). And so, when you have a runny nose or a cold, you go, buy medicines for 30-40 zlotys, lie down and that's it.

Read also: Everything about family reunification in Poland for foreigners

AS: What about living conditions?

A: The employer always rents an apartment or provides a hostel for you, you have to pay for it from your own money. In a hostel it costs PLN 100-200 per month, if you rent a 2-3-room apartment (three people live in a room), it costs up to PLN 450. Plus, you need to consider the cost of travel to work. Sometimes housing is far away.

But I was lucky - I got into a company that did not take money for housing and they provided travel. It was even that they bought us a bicycle, but when it got colder they bought us travel cards. By the way, a monthly pass in almost all cities costs 100-150 zlotys, and at another place of work we were given a minibus with a driver.

AS: What does your employer do?

A: The company specializes in domestic and international transportation, cleaning and warehouse maintenance.

AS: What are your impressions from Poland?

A: It is surprising that the CIS has a country with normal living conditions, normal clean transport, not rude sellers, everything is for people. I had an interesting story when I applied for a card in a Polish bank.

By that time, I more or less learned Polish, plus I know English. They took me to a separate office, water, coffee - everything was issued, and then they ask: what address should I send a bank card to? And we lived in a house that didn't have a mailbox. In addition, I did not know the employer's phone number, my address, and even the numbers of the guys with whom I lived in the neighborhood.

I asked that the card be sent to the bank branch, and I will pick it up. The card was supposed to arrive in 10 working days, I came to the branch, and they tell me that they do not have the card. We called the central office, they told us that the card was sent to their branch, which is central in Gdansk.

Since the branch was located in a bank that had branches of other banks, we decided that the postman mixed up and put the card in the wrong box. I was offered to wait another 10 days, but I refused, because the card was needed urgently. The bank offered to make a card for a quick procedure, for a day, but it will cost 50 zlotys. Since the account was already opened, but there was simply no plastic card, I was offered to put this amount into the account to pay for the express service, but then they will return this money to me.

Before we had time to rejoice properly at the news that you can go to northern Poland without a visa, the truth of life dampened our emotions. On Wednesday, it was possible to make an appointment at the Consulate General of Poland in order to apply for a special pass replacing a visa only at the beginning of October. Diplomats could not have foreseen such a stir. And this is despite the fact that a significant part of Kaliningraders have multiple Schengen visas in their hands. It can be seen that our people are guided by the principle: one head is good, but two pairs of boots. Well, does a pass hurt if you suddenly want to go for cheap sausages in Bartoszyce, and your visa has expired? That's right, it won't hurt. Hence the excitement.

"Komsomolskaya Pravda" decided to keep up with life and tell readers about what benefits you can get in Poland, having the coveted pass in your hands.

Rest in full

The Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship does not suffer from a shortage of tourists. The main natural attraction of these places is the luxurious Masurian Lakes. Here you can go sailing, swimming in the purest water, and just enjoy the beautiful nature. Moreover, the Poles have prepared a wonderful infrastructure. Take at least a hotel in the town of Ryn, between Mrangowo and Gizhitsko. A real medieval castle, which the Poles restored almost from scratch. Now it houses a four-star hotel with a museum and an excellent restaurant serving national cuisine (oh, how they cook zhurek here!).

Another example is the famous water park in Mikołajki. Our countrymen trodden the path to this Mecca of entertainment back in the 90s.

Giżycko is the largest city in the Masurian Lake District. It is located on a narrow isthmus between the reservoirs of Niegocin and Kisaino. Here you will find a center for water tourism, a sailing pier, numerous hotels, boarding houses and camp sites.

Sightseeing

God did not deprive northern Poland of historical sights. There are churches and medieval castles. In the Pomeranian and Warmian-Masurian provinces there is even a special route through the castles of the Teutonic Order. Get in the car and drive clearly along the route. You will not be able to visit all the citadels without a visa, but look at many. Including the largest brick castle in Europe Marinburg in Malbork. Or Allenstein in Olsztyn. Or Ressel in Reszel, in the southwest of the Kętrzyn district.

And even closer to us is the town of Lidzbark Warmiński. Here, the Bishop's castle has been preserved intact. The citadel looks like new, although it was built in the distant 14th century. Now the castle houses a museum. In the neighborhood you will find quite comfortable Krasicki Hotel.

If the scale of the castles does not impress you, then welcome to Gdansk. It is called the most beautiful city on the Baltic coast, and this statement is far from the truth.

Let's go shopping

A person is not fed up with bread alone, but if there is no bread, everything else is meaningless. That is why many Kaliningrad firms offer shopping tours to nearby Polish cities. You can ride in a group or you can drive your own car. It is more comfortable. Just be prepared to fork out for a bengzin and pay a thousand and a half rubles for car insurance. The route of the shopping trip can be very different. If you are looking for exceptionally cheap Polish products, you can drive to Braniewo or Bartoszyce, which are closest to us, and buy everything there. If you want to update the interior of the apartment or buy fashionable clothes, then it is better to go to Gdansk. Here, on the outskirts of the city, there are several large stores - Auchan, IKEA, OBI and so on. The choice here is for the most demanding taste. And the prices are quite reasonable.

ON A NOTE

How to apply for a special pass

Visit the website of the Consulate General of Poland in Kaliningrad. Select the section "Small border traffic". Find a link in this section. Follow this link and sign up for the submission of documents to the Consulate General. At the specified time, come to the Consulate General and hand over the documents. After about three to four weeks you get a pass.

Remember that the issued permit allows you to enter and stay in the border zone of Poland once up to 30 days, counting from the day of entry, however, the total period of stay cannot exceed 90 days in a period of every six months, starting from the day of the first entry. The first permit is issued for a period of two years, but no longer than the period of validity of the travel document. The consular fee for consideration of an application for a small border traffic permit is 20 euros.

What documents are required

Application for a small border traffic permit.

A valid travel document, which is regarded by both parties as a document confirming the identity and giving the right to cross the state border (passport) - the original and a copy.

A document confirming permanent residence for at least 3 years in the Kaliningrad region (civil passport) - original and copy.

Written justification of the reasons for the repeated crossing of the Polish-Russian state border, especially when it comes to supporting family ties, social, cultural, as well as economic and other contacts, which, according to the laws of both countries, are not business or work.

Color photograph 3.5x4.5 cm.

SPECIFICALLY

Which cities and regions of Poland are on the visa-free list

Pomeranian Voivodeship:

Puck district;

Gdynia;

Gdansk and Gdansk region;

Novodvursky district;

Malbursky district;

Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship:

Elbląg and Elblag region;

Branevsky district;

Lidzbark district;

Bartoshitsky district;

Olsztyn and Olsztyn region;

Kentshinsky district;

Mrongovsky district;

Vengozhevsky district;

Gizhitsky district;

Goldapsky district;

In 2019, a considerable number of Russians were able to travel to Poland by car. Located in the very center of Europe, the republic has a land border with the Russian Federation. Namely, with the Kaliningrad region. It is not surprising that many of our compatriots prefer to travel around the Polish territory by private transport. We will find out all the nuances of traveling to Poland by car.

In 2019, the Central European country continues to be popular among tourists from Russia. Visitors from the Russian Federation enter Poland both by air and by land, including by private vehicle. The latter option is preferred by residents not only of the Kaliningrad region neighboring the republic, but also of regions far from the border. Guests from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and even Vladivostok come to the European state in their own car.

To come to Poland by car, you will need to obtain a visa in advance. In this sense, a trip to a European country is no different from arriving by plane, train or bus. It is impossible to visit the territory of the country without an entry paper.

Usually, motorists and their fellow travelers issue tourist Schengen visas. Each visitor, including children, will need their own document. Polish Schengen allows you to stay in the state for a maximum of 3 months within a six-month period. You will learn how to get a tourist visa to Poland from the article on our website.

Where to enter Poland

Of all the regions of the Russian Federation, Poland borders only on the Kaliningrad region. Therefore, it is possible to enter the republic from Russia by personal transport only through this region. There are special checkpoints at the border. Passing by car is allowed only through these checkpoints.

The second option for starting a Polish auto-trip is to enter Poland through Belarus. Citizens of the Russian Federation are allowed into the fraternal republic with a Russian passport. In this case, the route is built like this:

1. Leave Moscow or another Russian city to the Belarusian Brest.
2. The path to Brest lies along the M1 highway (Smolensk road).
3. Get to the border crossing. You can enter through the largest checkpoint Brest - Terespol or try the Domachevo crossing (50 km south of Brest).

Gift: 2100 rubles for housing!

When registering via the link in AirBnB, you will receive 2100 rubles to your account.

For this money you can rent good apartments for 1 day abroad or in Russia. The bonus only works for new accounts.

The main nuances of crossing the border

When planning a car trip to Poland from Kaliningrad or Brest, drivers and passengers should consider several factors:

• When you must present a passport with a Polish visa. The validity of the passport is at least 3 months from the date of return home.

• Travelers have the right to be required to present funds as financial guarantees. The minimum amount for 1 day of stay is PLN 300. The equivalent in foreign currency (about 100 US dollars) is allowed. Both cash and credit cards are allowed.
• The import of foreign currency is not limited, but a declaration in excess of the allowed amount of 10,000 euros is required.
• If guests of Poland enter the country with pets, you will need a certificate from the veterinary service. It must contain marks on all vaccinations given to animals, including vaccination against rabies.

What can be asked at the border

• Purpose of the trip.
• Travel itinerary planned to visit the city.
• Scheduled tour dates.
• What is imported into Poland, do you have alcohol and cigarettes with you. The established norm for 1 person is 2 packs of cigarettes, 1 liter of strong alcohol or 2 liters of wine.

Documents for crossing the border by car

For passengers

• Passport with visa.
• Medical insurance:
  • For the whole trip.
  • Valid throughout the Schengen area.
  • Covered from 30 thousand euros.
• Sometimes they are required to present:
  • Financial guarantees.
  • Reservation of a hotel room or a place in a campsite or the presence of another address of residence in Poland.
  • An invitation from a local individual or legal entity.

For the driver

1. Passport with visa.
2. Medical insurance.
3. Sometimes they require to present the same additional documents as for passengers.
4. Driving license (no special requirements).
5. Vehicle registration certificate (vehicle registration certificate). It is important that the document is issued to the driver. Handwritten powers of attorney are not accepted.
6. Valid green card.

What is a green card for a car

When traveling by car to Poland, a green card is purchased without fail. In fact, this is an analogue of our OSAGO. The document is issued not for the driver, but for the vehicle. This means that any participant in the trip can drive the car. Of course, provided that he has a driver's license.

A green card for a trip to Poland must be of an international format and be valid throughout Europe. It is not allowed to issue a document in any insurance company. A limited number of organizations have the right to implement this type of insurance service. Among them:

• Rosgosstrakh.
• Alfa Insurance
• "RESO-Guarantee".
• "Alliance".
• ERGO Rus.

Important! You can buy an insurance policy no earlier than 30 days before the start of its validity and the date of travel.

How much to pay for a green card

The cost of a green card to Poland depends primarily on the type of vehicle and the duration of the insurance contract. Approximate amounts:

Key vehicle requirements

• Full technical serviceability of the machine.
• Serviceability and one hundred percent working condition of lighting devices. It is advisable to stock up on light bulbs in order to change them at the border if necessary.
• Clean and without conspicuous cracks windshield. Only cracks of 2-3 centimeters and small chips are allowed.
• The vehicle must contain:
  • First aid kit.
  • Spare wheel or repair kit.
  • Fire extinguisher (before the trip it is recommended to check its expiration date).
  • Warning triangle.
  • Reflective vests for all participants of the trip.
• Child car seats (when traveling with children under 12 years old).
• Foreign motorists traveling on Polish roads in their car must place on it a sign of the state where the car is registered. For Russians, this is the “RUS” sign in a white oval. Without a sticker, movement on a vehicle is unacceptable.

Main road rules in Poland

• Maximum allowable driving speed (in km/h):

• When driving, the low beam headlights always turn on. Time of day and weather conditions do not play a role.
• Studded tires are prohibited. The use of winter tires is voluntary.
• It is forbidden to equip vehicles with radar detectors and similar devices. Even an unused radar detector cannot be transported.
• The maximum possible alcohol content in the blood of a motorist is 0.2 ppm. Driving under the influence of alcohol will result in the driver's license being revoked. In addition, the violator faces imprisonment for up to 8 years.

Penalties for traffic violations

Parking in Polish

Polish drivers and motorists visiting from other countries are allowed to park cars only in specially designated places. It is also forbidden to leave the car in parking lots intended for people with special needs. For this, a fine of PLN 800 is provided.

There are not as few free parking lots in the centers of Polish cities as in other countries of Central Europe. They are focused:

• At large retail outlets (Ikea, Auchan and others).
• Close to historical centers.
• In courtyards and next to residential buildings.
• Close to restaurants, cafes and shops.

Paid parking lots are also present. They are on all main streets, near attractions and in places that are in the greatest demand. Finding a parking spot is easy. It is enough to focus on the blue signs with the letter "P".

Important! In large Polish cities, parking is paid only on certain days (usually on weekdays) and hours (usually from 9:00 to 17:00). The rest of the time they are allowed to stop for free.

The cost of parking depends on their proximity to the center, significant objects and crowds of people. For example, an hour of parking in the center of Gdansk will cost 3 PLN.

Parking is paid through the parking meter. As a rule, these devices are located near the parking lot. On the display of the parking meter, you need to select the parking time and pay for the service (in small change or large bills).

The machine will issue a check - a parking ticket. It must be placed on the dashboard of the car - so that the controllers can see the paper through the windshield.

If you run out of gas...

Self-service is accepted at Polish gas stations. The driver fills the tank and then pays for the fuel at the cash register. Drivers are allowed to carry up to 20 liters of fuel in cans. It is worth considering that there is no 92nd gasoline at local gas stations. And the 95th comes in 2 types - with and without lead.

At the beginning of 2017, the average cost of gasoline and diesel fuel in Poland was:

• 1.07 euros (95th gasoline).
• 1.13 euros (98th gasoline).
• 1.05 euros (diesel).
• 0.5 euros (LPG).

At the same time, prices at gas stations located along highways can be 10-20 euro cents higher than at gas stations near large shopping malls.

Toll tracks

Polish motorways A1, A2 and A4 are paid. The fare depends on the distance travelled.

Calculation of payment on specific sections of roads is made in different ways. Usually, the fare is paid both in cash and by bank transfer, in the national currency, euros and US dollars. However, it is recommended to pay with local money. Change is also always given in złoty.

By car through Poland: rules of transit

People enter Poland via Kaliningrad or Brest by personal transport not only for the sake of car travel in the Central European Republic. Many of our fellow citizens only pass through the Polish lands, choosing other states as the main goal of the auto-tour. The following documents are submitted for a transit Schengen visa for a trip through Poland:

• :
  • It is filled in completely and certified by a personal signature.
  • It is advisable to fill out the form on a computer, but handwriting is allowed.
  • Information is entered legibly, with a pen with blue or black ink (when filled out by hand).
  • Information is written in Russian, Polish or English.
  • Items No. 1-5 are filled in Latin letters, strictly as in the passport.
  • For a minor child entered in the parental passport, a separate form is filled out. It is signed by the parent.

• Visa of the state of destination (original and copy). In case of its absence, the following shall be submitted:
  • Or a fully paid hotel reservation.
  • Or documents for the ownership of real estate (a contract of employment, a contract of sale, etc.).
• International passport:
  • Copies of the first page and Schengen visas for 3 years (if available).
  • With 2 free sheets.
  • The validity period of the document is from 3 months after returning home.
  • The validity of the passport is not more than 10 years.
• Russian passport. Page copies:
  • First.
  • With registration.
  • Pages 18-19 (about previous passports).

When crossing the border, the same papers are presented as for road trips directly in Poland. It is important to remember that if a foreigner already has a valid Schengen visa, there is no need to make a separate document for transit.

Polish tracks are considered to be among the safest in Europe. The vast majority of drivers treat all road users with respect. Pedestrians and cyclists have priority on the road. Almost all highways are equipped with CCTV cameras and radars and are carefully monitored by the police. Therefore, when traveling around the republic by car, you should strictly observe traffic rules.

Four universities in Russia, moved to Poland and did not regret it. Big Village publishes her honest story about employment, paperwork, income and price levels: why Poland is the best European country to live in and Warsaw is the city of dreams.

Reasons for moving

I always wanted to leave Russia - however, I dreamed of America, but life brought me to a completely different country. At that time, I worked as a web designer for about a year, lived with my fiancé and two cats, and slowly drowned in a routine. From time to time I was pulled to move to Kaliningrad, then to Odessa, then somewhere else, just not to hang around in nauseating Samara with an unbearably cold winter and the cult of Zhiguli beer.

One day I saw a design studio in an illustration competition for Vkontakte and just fell in love. It turned out that these were Ukrainian guys working in Warsaw. At first I just wrote them an admiring review. Then for another week now and then I looked at their work - and could not tear myself away. Then I thought: why not? In three nights after work, I built myself a portfolio of the highest level that I was capable of, honestly explaining my goals and desires, namely, to grow under the wing of people who inspire me. A year and a half later, the manager of the company will tell me that even then he and his boss realized that I was the person you could rely on. I think that's why the boss then decided to hire me, although my level frankly did not reach their work.

We did two test weeks, and after that I started to prepare for the move. When I told my mother that I was doing a portfolio for a company in Warsaw, she was not enthusiastic about this, but later admitted that she knew from the very beginning that I would succeed, and she was sad to realize the impending separation. I am very grateful to her for the fact that she morally let me go.

Paperwork

The company sent me a work invitation, with which I went to apply for a national visa type D, which allows me to live and work in Poland for six months. To receive it, you don’t need anything unusual: an application, photos, a passport, medical insurance, and an invitation, of course - without it you can’t even travel later - they may not be allowed back. Insurance is needed with coverage of at least €30,000, but it costs about three thousand rubles and it is enough to do it for some time from the moment of entry, and deal with the rest on the spot.

Now the fees for obtaining a visa in Samara are approximately four thousand rubles (60 euros). Intermediary agencies ask for about eight thousand, but you can collect the entire package of documents yourself. True, my employer helped me a lot with advice - not everyone is so lucky, so if you are not confident in your abilities, it may be worth overpaying.

When the visa expires, you make a "stay card" (Karta Pobytu) - a document that gives you the right to live and work in Poland and move freely within the Schengen area. This card is made for a period of one and a half to three years and can be extended. If you lose your job, you get a month to find a new one. The only problem is that the production of this card takes longer than the promised three months - sometimes up to six months. All this time you can stay in Poland with a special stamp in your passport, but you cannot leave the country - this is how I traveled a good half of Polish cities.

Moving and finding housing

I traveled by train via Moscow. I chose the train for two reasons: firstly, I hate fussing with luggage on planes, and secondly, I would have to take the cat to the luggage compartment, and this is inhumane.

By the way, the cat also had to make documents: a veterinary passport with a rabies vaccination at least a month old and a veterinary certificate from the Rosselkhoznadzor with a Euro supplement. I steadfastly endured the feline bureaucracy, which turned out to be a novelty in our city, and in return the cat steadfastly endured a long and difficult trip. Travel time was about thirty hours.

On the day of my arrival, the boss (!) met me at the station, and we went all day to look at the apartments. Before the arrival of each new employee, our super-boss looks for all available options, arranges viewings, and then drives with the new employee in his car, helps to move in, fill out the contract and comply with other formalities. In the evening, we chose a wonderful one-room apartment for me with a clean entrance, a concierge and a gorgeous view of the city - there were even windows in the bathroom!

My first apartment cost 1,700 zlotys (27,000 rubles), the next - in a slightly better area - 2,100 zlotys (33,500 rubles), now we pay about 2600-2900 zlotys (41,000-46,000 rubles) for a kopeck piece for two, the price varies depending on the communal apartment .

It should be borne in mind that here you always need to make a deposit in the amount of the cost of one month of rent, that is, at first be prepared to pay double the price. In addition, now there are few apartments from the owners, so it is worth preparing another 50% of the rental price for agency services.

I was looking for the second and third apartments on my own - there are quite convenient sites here (www.olx.pl, www.gratka.pl, www.gumtree.pl). Poles love cats, so renting a house with them is not a problem. Another question is that if the beast spoils something, the owner will have to pay for it. But with a dog it can be more difficult.

Income and price level

My medical insurance cost 450 zł (7,100 rubles) for six months - this is a basic package without highly specialized specialists such as an oncologist, for example, but with all the main doctors and tests, even ultrasound. And, of course, dentistry is not included in any package, so it is worth treating your teeth in advance. There are also monthly insurance options, as well as free public clinics, but you need to make an appointment with doctors there for several months.

Now we have insurance from the company, so we don't have to pay for medicine anymore. And the company fully covers taxes, so we get a salary already taking into account all deductions.

The cost of food very much depends on what and where to eat. I make about 1,000 zlotys (16,000 rubles) a month, despite the fact that I hardly cook at home and eat every day in a cafe.

A monthly travel card costs 110 zlotys (1,700 rubles) or you need to pay 4.40 (70 rubles) for one trip of 75 minutes on any type of transport. There are no conductors at all - everything is on your conscience. Controllers can swoop in at any moment and issue a fine for stowaways for 400 złoty (6,000 rubles).

Initially, I had with me the amount of my first remote salary - about 70,000 rubles, plus about the same amount of savings. There was enough money to pay for an apartment and a deposit, as well as for the first month of a comfortable life. Now I earn significantly more, besides, the company recently introduced bonuses for employees.

In total, my income is enough for a life in which I have to deny myself nothing, as well as for travel. This is financial heaven! In Samara, I barely reached the salary of 25,000 rubles and constantly counted money, and during the first year in Poland I bought myself an iPhone, a MacBook, visited five countries, completely updated my wardrobe. Now I don’t care much about buying clothes, appliances or products often - most of the funds are spent on traveling and developing my hobbies and skills.

Food and entertainment

Products in Poland differ from Russian ones: instead of pierogi dumplings - fatty Polish dumplings, instead of shawarma - Turkish kebab; there is no normal borscht, Lays chips with cheese, some Russian-made sweets, doctor's sausage, Borodino bread, condensed milk. But there are a lot of good and tasty products: pastries, sweets, cheeses, fresh vegetables, berries and fruits - including exotic ones. At the same time, Polish cuisine itself is so-so: sour soups, dough mixed with potatoes, a lot of fried meat - I don’t like that.

In Poland, they are attentive to vegetarians and vegans: there are special departments with gluten-free and bio-food in the shops, and vegan cafes on the streets. There is just an endless number of kebab, Indian restaurants and food with a huge amount of spices - Varsovians love Eastern and Middle Eastern cuisine. But sushi is not very popular and good ones are hard to find.

I really like that there are many affordable cafes in Warsaw - much more than pretentious restaurants. There are quite cheap ones, for example, Bar Mleczny - a local analogue of a canteen where you can buy disgusting soup for 3 zlotys (50 rubles) - homeless people often hang around there. But there are also simply cozy places where you can have an inexpensive and tasty lunch in a beautiful interior. When my mother came to visit me, she was surprised that everyone here constantly sits in cafes, and some even stand in line.

Poles have fun just like Russians - at parties, concerts, in cafes; but it is not customary to visit here. A lot of people keep dogs and play with them in the park. They generally love animals here: there is almost a queue for volunteering in shelters.

Language and mentality

I arrived completely without knowledge of the language and at first I begged my colleagues to make orders for me in a cafe. But they were relentless. I had to overcome the panic and order myself. And this turned out to be the most correct tactic: any language learns faster when you speak it.

Contrary to stereotypes, Polish cannot be learned overnight. It seems to Russians that they understand it by ear, but it is no less nuanced than in any other language, and you run the risk of sitting in a puddle at the first mention of the word sklep (shop) or uroda (beauty). My colleagues and I hired a teacher who comes to our office twice a week in the evenings. Now, a year and a half later, I speak Polish normally. I calmly solve medical, financial and other everyday issues, make purchases, I can read not very complicated literature, documents and recipes. And I can still read the name Grzegorz Brzęczyszczykiewicz - this is my personal pride.

My level could be much higher if I communicated with the Poles more often. Alas, I never found any friends among them, and Ukrainian society is very relaxing. Ukrainians are the official national minority of Poland, and recently there have been especially many of them: I catch myself thinking that I hear Ukrainian and Russian on the streets and in shops as often as Polish. I cut my hair with a Ukrainian, work with Ukrainians, do theater and vocals with Ukrainians, maximum with Belarusians.

Poles are somewhat reminiscent of Russians - they also drink vodka and yell at football, but there are more differences. This is a surprisingly educated and cultured nation. Intelligence is especially noticeable when communicating with children - here it is an absolute norm to say to a child: “Daughter, I love you so much, you are the joy of my life,” and the remarks sound like: “Beloved, please don’t scream.” Schoolchildren also behave much more cultured than Russians: they speak very cleanly and competently, make moderate noise and behave more like adults.

Poland is not a huge, but very diverse country: there is a sea, mountains, and unrealistically beautiful lakes. I have visited completely different Polish cities, and each has something interesting in its own way. I liked Gdansk the most - I advise everyone who loves the cold sea, ships and breathtaking architecture to visit there.

From Poland it is quite easy to travel around Europe: on planes or buses. Ticket prices are always available and traveling to Austria, Germany, Sweden or Denmark for the weekend is in the order of things. Yes, and you can fly to England for 500 rubles (however, after suffering with a visa).

At the same time, of all the European countries I have been to, I like Poland the most as a place to live: a temperate climate, security, good infrastructure, pleasant architecture and society. I still think about moving further west in the future, but I no longer want to mindlessly take off from my place, because it really is nice to live here.

Relocation options

There are many different ways to move, legal and illegal - ranging from invitations of fictitious employers (not our method), to official residence based on national roots. There are quite a lot of people with Polish roots in Russia and Ukraine, so if you have a Polish grandparent (great-grandparents are also good), you can apply for a "Polish card" - it's almost citizenship. After living here for 5 years on any legal grounds, you get a "steel residence card" - this is also almost citizenship, which opens the door to life in the European Union.

If it didn’t work out with relatives, you can, like me, get a work invitation from a specific employer. For freelancers there is a business incubator that provides official employment in Poland, legal services, accountants and the right to live in the country.

There is an option to enter a certain type of educational institution (Szkoła Policealna), where attendance is not checked - not so much in order to study, but simply to get the opportunity to gain a foothold in Poland, having settled for the first time as a courier or worker. But you can officially enter the university. Contrary to the myths about the crazy European education, a year of study in some universities here costs 3,500 zlotys (56,000 rubles). It is much cheaper than even provincial universities in Russia. True, you need to be ready to study in Polish. You can also speak English, however, knowing Polish, you can apply for a budget place or a scholarship - quite tangible bonuses.

Well, in my opinion, it's time to plan a winter, maybe even New Year's trip to some pleasant and suitable place for this. Those who can hardly endure winter and cold are probably already packing their suitcases for the warm countries of Southeast Asia or Latin America. Others look forward to seeing European cities turn into fairy tales during the Christmas holidays or uncover their skis at one of the ski resorts. And I propose to combine the last two desires and do it in Poland.

Last time we sorted it out: we were looking for answers to the main questions related to tickets, hotels and other preliminary steps that are taken when planning an independent trip. Today we will do the same with Poland and try to find answers to specific questions:

1. Why Poland?
2. How to get to it?
3. Where to stay?
4. How to get a visa?
5. How much will the trip cost?

Let's get started (=

1. Where exactly in Poland and why?

I suggest Krakow + Zakopane. And not only in winter, but also in summer. Because Krakow is the most majestic and worthy city in Poland with a rich historical and cultural heritage, and Zakopane is the Polish ski capital, and in the warm season it’s just a wonderful spiritual place, because the mountains are magnificent in any season. This does not mean that other cities are not worthy of attention, I am still extremely interested in the northern Polish Tricity (Gdynia, Gdansk and Sopot), but in winter it is not very comfortable there, besides, it is far away, Krakow and Zakopane are the very south of the country. Well, if you ask yourself why Poland? Yes, simply because at least once in this country you definitely need to visit. I'm sure she won't disappoint you.

2. How to get there?

Most choose to travel by plane. You can fly to Krakow (with a transfer) or to the capital of Poland. Distance Warsaw - Krakow 300 km. It can be overcome by train or bus. It is also convenient to get from Krakow to Zakopane by bus or train, the travel time is from two to three hours.

If you are a fan of traveling by private car, great! From Moscow to Krakow, you need to overcome the distance of only 1,500 km. Then, to calculate the cost of the road, you will need information about the cost of gasoline in the countries through which the road passes and the cost of vehicle insurance.
If you prefer the train, it will be the Polonaise, the signature train of the Russian Railways, on the Moscow-Warsaw route. The ride is not very long, only 18 hours. Departure daily at 17:21.

3. Hotels in Krakow and Zakopane

Depending on your preferences, the number of nights in one and the other city may vary. If you have never been to Krakow and you are more interested in sightseeing holidays, then you can only ride in Zakopane for a couple of days. If the main purpose of your visit is skiing, you can accordingly keep your stay in Krakow to a minimum. In Zakopane, it's great to stay in a private mini-hotel, where it will be cozy to spend evenings at home.

4. Visa issues.

I never get tired of repeating that self-issuance of a visa is not at all difficult and not expensive, neither in terms of material, nor in terms of time resources. Of course, things get more complicated if you live far from Moscow or other major centers where embassies and visa centers may be present. In this case, the cost of visa processing services becomes more expensive.
So, if you have carefully studied the official website of the Polish embassy in Russia (http://wiza.polska.ru) and carefully collected the necessary package of documents, then you don’t have to worry about an entry permit, you will most likely receive a visa. At least in the case of the countries of Eastern Europe, which are still quite loyal to Russian tourists.

5. How much does it all cost?

Your budget for such a trip may consist of the following figures:

– train tickets – from 230.6 euros
Moscow-Warsaw-Moscow, in the second class.
(current rates on the website rzd.ru)
— — from 8,000 rubles
Moscow-Warsaw-Moscow, economy class.
– night in a hotel in Krakow – from 1,800 rubles/night
the price of a double standard room in a hotel *** within walking distance of the city center.
– night in a hotel in Krakow min – from 1,000 rubles/night
the minimum price of a double room in a hotel of any type in the relative accessibility of the center (on foot / public transport).
– a night in a hotel in Zakopane – from 2,000 rubles/night
price of double standard hotel room ***
– consular fee – 35 euros
from a person.
– equipment rental – from PLN 20 per day
kit (skis, boots and poles)
– a liter of gasoline in Poland – from 5 zł