Daily life

Living in Europe | Access to the culture of the host country/language courses, Banking | Poland

Wrocław University of Science and Technology

Life in Poland is a cultural composition of traits belonging to both Eastern and Western European countries. For some differences of lifestyle and culture may be astonishing, especially for citizens of countries located in distant parts of the world, while for others they may be slightly visible. That is why it is essential to familiarize yourself with basic information about daily life in Poland.

Below you will find information which can help you to settle down.

Currency & banking

Polish currency is called złoty (zł, PLN). One zloty is divided into 100 groszy (1 zł = 100 gr). Banknotes with the following denominations 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500zł and coins with the following denominations 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 gr and 1, 2, 5 zł are in the circulation.

Currencies may be exchanged in numerous bureaux de change or in banks. Currency exchange points are usually located in city

centres, at railway stations, airports, in some hotels and in places with a higher numbers of tourists. Official current exchange rates are set by the National Bank of Poland (NBP).

Banking services

Banks are open from Monday till Friday, some of them also work on Saturday. All banks are closed on Sundays and public holidays. Large banks have their own cash machines and there are also independent cash machine networks (Euronet, Cash4YOU). If you have a card of a given bank, you may use its cash machines free of charge, whereas other card holders may pay a commission.

Payment cards (Visa, Maestro, MasterCard etc.) can be used in most bigger and medium-size shops as well as restaurants (where you can usually see card logos on the entrance door). In some bigger supermarkets or chain shops, designated cash desks accept payments in euro (apart from zloty, the national currency) at an exchange rate given there.

Cheque transactions are far less common in Poland. This is because the market of e-banking services and charge cards is well-developed. Traveller's cheques are accepted by banks, but virtually are never used as a method of payment in trade. They may be cashed in some bigger banks. You should also remember that banks may charge a commission (ca 1.5%) on the cheque transaction.

Bank account

If you plan to open a bank account in Poland you should remember that individual banks may have different requirements regarding the documents to be submitted. Generally, you might be asked to present the following documents:

valid passport or ID,
residence card or temporary residence card.

Transport

Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Bialystok University of Technology

Thanks to its central location, Poland can be reached by plane, train, bus or ferry. A flight to Warsaw takes only 2 hours, for example, from London, Paris, Brussels, Berlin, Vienna or Prague. Poland has 10 international airports in: Bydgoszcz, Gdańsk, Katowice, Kraków, Łódz, Poznań, Rzeszów, Szczecin, Warszawa and Wrocław. Note: some of the airports operate only a limited number of destinations. The country offers a wide choice of direct flights to many European cities and has good connections with all continents.

Train (PL pociąg)

Rail services in Poland are provided by a number of public and private operators. Yet, the dominant carrier is the Polish State Railways (Polskie Koleje Państwowe, PKP) which brings together several companies providing domestic and international transport services. The fastest and most comfortable travel is offered by the PKP Intercity company. The Polish railway industry has been modernizing its infrastructure in order to constantly improve travel duration, conditions and comfort of passengers.

Today, you can choose from ca 100 trains running daily between popular tourist centres, the biggest cities in Poland (Intercity and Express trains) and beyond its borders. Poland has railway connections with many European cities including Prague, Vienna, Bratislava, Berlin, Budapest, Moscow and Minsk.

Train tickets (PL bilety kolejowe)

May be purchased online, from ticket offices at all railway stations, in some travel agencies, as well as from ticket machines at some railway stations. You can also buy a ticket from the train conductor, paying in cash or – in all PKP Intercity trains – with a charge card; in this case, the price includes a small extra charge. Children of up to 4 years of age (of any nationality) travel by train in Poland for free. School and university students in Poland of up to 26 years of age as well as PhD students of up to 35 years are entitled to a 51% reduction off the full fare, provided that they hold a valid pupil or student identity card issued in Poland (to be shown at the train conductor’s request). Cheaper family tickets are another available and frequently chosen option, particularly attractive during the summer holiday season.

Bus (PL autobus)

In Poland public transport services are provided by a number of companies. They provide long-distance cross-country journeys as well as suburban and local services. Tickets may be purchased at bus stations or sometimes directly from bus drivers before the journey. Timetables and ticket prices are available at PKS companies websites of each region/city or at private company’s websites.

Useful links (EN)

Train timetable and ticket prices

Connection Finder

Lodz Solar Team, Lodz University of Technology, author: Jacek Szabela

Public urban transport

Public urban transport in Poland is well developed: you will find urban and suburban buses in all cities and towns, trams in larger cities, though the metro exists only in Warsaw. Daytime buses and trams run more-or-less between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m. In the biggest cities you can find night buses. The choice of night routes is much more limited as well as the frequency of services.

Timetables are displayed at each bus stop and may also be found at websites of each public urban transport provider. All means of public transport in a given city or town use the same type of tickets which can be purchased from news-stands, ticket machines or in some shops and post-offices. All cities and towns have full-fare tickets (PL biletnormalny) and reduced-fare tickets (PL biletulgowy), the latter for persons entitled to discounts (e.g. Polish pupils and university students up to 26 years old, PhD students and pensioners).

Here you can find the schedules for most of the cities in Poland. Using this website you can simply indicate the address where you want to go to and it will show you the possible routes.

Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, author: Tomasz Lewandowski

Foreign school and university students are also entitled to discounts: on the basis of a valid Polish pupil/student identity card - if they are enrolled at Polish schools, and - if they are enrolled at schools in their home countries – on the basis of a valid international document - International Student Identity Card (ISIC) or the EURO26 Student card for school and university students. Public transport is free for children of up to 4 years of age and persons who are at least 70 years old. Sometimes an additional charge is paid for the transport of luggage or animals.

Driving & cycling

DRIVING

Dormitory, Pope John II State School of Higher Education in Biała Podlaska, source: Promotion Section

Poland is a right-hand traffic country and vehicles are overtaken on the left. When driving a car or any other vehicle in Poland, you are required to hold a driving licence, a vehicle registration document and a document confirming that you are covered by civil liability insurance (Green Card). Your vehicle should be equipped with a warning triangle, a fire extinguisher, warning vest and not obligatory, but recommended a first-aid kit. You are not allowed to use your mobile phone while driving, unless you have a headset or hands-free set.

Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Jan Dlugosz Univesity in Czestochowa

Drivers are required to use dipped or daytime headlights also during the day all year round. All passengers (except visibly pregnant women, taxi drivers and persons holding a medical exemption certificate) are required to have their seat belts fastened both in the front and back seats. Children need to be secured in a car safety seat until they are 150 cm tall (in some cases the limit amounts to 135 cm).

Vehicle used to conduct research in Laboratory of Cars and Tractors, Kielce University of Technology, author: Kamil Dziewit

Driving licence (PL prawo jazdy)

Various rules apply to citizens of different countries. Driving licences issued by the EU Member States are recognised in Poland until the validity date given on the document. EU nationals residing in Poland are not required to change their driving licence unless they have a different address of residence than previously.

Third-country nationals holding a driving licence issued in accordance with the Convention on Road Traffic of 1968 are allowed to drive vehicles on Polish roads on the basis of their document for the period of 6 months.

Nationals of the countries which are not parties to the Convention should also hold an international driving licence. Once a residence permit has been issued, both documents cease to be valid and the holder should apply for the Polish driving licence. In order to obtain it, applicants may be required to take a partial state examination – only a written test in English, German or Polish.

Car accident procedures

If you are involved in a road accident, you are obliged to follow certain safety procedures. If it is a minor car collision, you should call the police and move your car so that it does not block the traffic. However, if you are involved in a car accident resulting in casualties, you are obliged to call an ambulance and the police and you have to stay on the scene until they arrive. You must also switch on hazard warning flashers in your car. According to the Polish law, it is mandatory to provide first aid to victims – if you have taken a special training course – or at least to do what you are capable of in terms of securing the place of accident and helping the victims.

Car rental in Poland

Polish rental companies offer many types of cars to rent. You can pick up a car from the airport, what is very convenient. The average price for a one-month rent is 1000 EUR, but you can find a small car for 400 EUR monthly. Sometimes there are some discounts which allow you to pay for the car even less.

CYCLING

Rzeszow University of Technology, author: M. Misiakiewicz

In the recent years, bicycle, as a mean of transport, has become quite popular in Poland. The infrastructure of cycle tracks has been modernised as well as new bike lanes have been built. Today, in most bigger cities, including Warsaw, Łódź, Wrocław, Poznań or Lublin, private companies offer bike rentals through popular networks, giving easy and cheap access. Poles are keen on a healthy lifestyle and appreciate the possibility of passing by traffic jams.

Here you can find the website of one of the most popular bicycle rental operator.

Obligatory equipment & documents

cycling licence or ID – if you are between 10 and 18 years old, you should pass an exam to get a cycling licence; adults are only required to have their ID while riding and they should accompany children up to 10 years old,
red reflector visible from behind and white position light in front,
bicycle bell or a different warning signal,
one brake at least,
bike helmet – not required, but recommended due to safety.

In Poland, cyclists are obliged to use bike lanes. If not possible, they should ride on the right. Only adults with children up to 10 years old should use the left side of a pavement.

Bicycle storage, dormitory, Medical University of Warsaw, author: Dział Fotomedyczny WUM

Cycling trips

There are many cycling routes in the whole country. You can explore the most beautiful places in Poland on two wheels admiring marvelous views or even tour the land from the north to the south. Poland is a member of the EuroVelo network, which enables to make use of European international cycle routes.

Be careful!

To protect your equipment remember to use a good quality lock and do not leave your bike for more than a few hours in an unknown location.

Services

Laundry room, dormitory, Medical University of Warsaw, author: Dział Fotomedyczny WUM

Laundries (PL pralnia) and dry-cleaner’s (PL pralnia chemiczna)

Cleaning services (wet and dry cleaning) include washing and dry cleaning as well as dyeing of clothes, carpets, etc. In one of numerous dry-cleaners, you will usually have your cleaning done in a few hours. Self-service laundries are not popular in Poland, therefore only large cities have a few of them.

Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, author: Tomasz Lewandowski

Veterinary clinic (PL klinika weterynaryjna)

If you have a pet and need to consult a veterinary surgeon, you will find a large number of veterinary surgeries and clinics, many of which are open for 24 hours. They provide a wide range of services, including: emergency treatment, diagnosis and all types of treatment for small and large pets vaccinations (e.g. against rabies, which your dog is required to have every year) and check-ups for dogs and cats which are necessary to obtain a health certificate from the competent veterinary authorities, if you wish to take your pet abroad.

Translation agencies (PL agencja tłumaczeń or biuro tłumaczeń)

Numerous translation agencies offer interpreting and translation from and into many languages. You may also need a sworn (certified) translator, because documents translated and certified by them are recognised for official purposes.

Here you can find an official list of sworn translators in Poland - you have to choose the language (PL język).

Cultural aspects

Studio of Graphic Design, Academy of Art and Design in Wroclaw, author: Alek Figura/ZPAF

Events

A characteristic feature of Polish culture is involvement in the life of the nation. Apart from some well-established national or international film festivals, theatre and music, there are plenty of small local feasts, fairs, contests, meetings and competitions, some of which involve local folklore and religious celebrations. A great source of various information about cultural news, events, festivals, cultural institutions, periodicals, information about artists and their works abroad, can be found on Culture.pl, which is a daily updated website about Polish culture.

It is also worth visiting the Adam Mickiewicz Institute website, where you can find information about Polish artistic projects. You can also buy the "Polish Culture Magazine", bilingual (Polish/English) quarterly which aims at promoting Polish culture abroad and focuses on its most modern - as well as vital - artistic achievements.

Łódź Story, Opera Musical Show, Academy of Music in Lodz, author: Dariusz Kulesza

Theatre (PL teatr)

In Poland, theatres are located in every bigger city, offering a wide range of plays every week. In comparison to recent years, today Poles visit theatres more often, due to the availability and diversification of repertoire. Plays in theatres are generally staged in the Polish language, but international theatres also come to Poland for theatre reviews or guest performances. The prices differ, depending on the play, date and the seat you chose.

Łódź Film School, source: Archive of the Łódź Film School

Cinema (PL kino)

In Poland, you will find a multitude of cinemas ranging from multi-cinema complexes to small cosy cinemas which often show old or original non-mainstream films. You can watch films in an original language version with subtitles in Polish as in Poland films are not dubbed either in cinema or on TV (the only exception are fairy tales and cartoons for children).

Kopytka

Cuisine & eating out

Polish cuisine is very varied, with many of its traditional meals introduced by various nationalities living in the country. The most popular dishes are Polish meats and cold meats, in particular sausage (PL kiełbasa) available in many varieties, and ham (PL szynka), mostly pork. The main course usually includes pork (e.g. the most popular pork cutlet, PL kotletschabowy), poultry (PL drób) or fish (PL ryba) served with potatoes (PL ziemniaki or kartofle) or groats (PL kasza).

Traditional Polish lunch or dinner would not go without tomato soup (PL zupapomidorowa) with noodles or rice, beetroot soup (PL barszcz, also known as borscht) served with a kind of ravioli (small meat or cabbage and mushroom dumplings) or the oldest Polish dish which is rye-flour soup (PL żur or żurek) served with a sausage and a boiled egg.

During your stay in Poland, you should also try dumplings (PL pierogi) stuffed with meat, white cheese or fruit and traditional Polish cakes such as cheesecake (PL sernik), apple pie (PL jabłecznik), poppy-seed cake (PL makowiec) or gingerbread (PL piernik). Beer (PL piwo) lovers will not be disappointed with Polish trademark brews made for centuries, some of them winning awards in international contests.

Poland has plenty of restaurants, bars and inns which offer national dishes and regional specialities, and whose owners try to outdo one another in making the style of the interior as original as possible. In most cities and towns you will find a wide choice of restaurants offering Italian, French, Jewish or Chinese but also Arabic or Mexican cuisine. Moreover, Warsaw is chosen as a one of the most vegan friendly cities in the world, according to happycow.com

Restaurants are open from Monday to Sunday, usually between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. or late night, and Polish pubs only close once the last client leaves. In smaller towns, except for tourist resorts, they open later and close earlier. Bills may include a service charge if you come with a group of people. In restaurants where you are served by a waiter, tips usually range between 5 and 10%, depending on the standard of the place.

Copernicus Science Centre in Warsaw

Entertainment

You can spend your leisure time in Poland in a variety of ways, and the choice is particularly wide in bigger cities, where in fact most academic and research centres are situated. Entertainment centres, which house cinemas, bowling alleys, climbing rocks and playgrounds for children, are growing in number.

Those who are tired of the hustle and bustle of city life may rest in botanical or zoological gardens, or numerous urban and landscape parks.

In each region, city or town, you will find an enormous variety of places worth visiting and events worth attending. Information about such places and events is available on town’s websites and in local newspapers.

Sports

Field hockey pitch and a tartan track, Poznan University of Physical Education, author: AWF Archive

Sports

In Poland you can go in for almost every sport, and a wide variety of opportunities available may surprise both beginners and sports enthusiasts who have reached advanced levels.

Some popular summer sports are jogging, biking, sailing, canoeing as well as windsurfing.

Olympic Swimming Pool, Sports and Rehabilitation Center of the MUW, author: Dział Fotomedyczny WUM

Another popular sport is horse riding; riding enthusiasts may pursue their hobby both in wild corners of the country and in areas near cities or towns where they will find numerous horse riding clubs and stud farms.

Moreover, rock climbing, alpinism and caving are now gaining in popularity, as well as hang-gliding and parachute jumping. In winter not only in the mountains you may practise your skills in skiing, snowboarding, iceboating or skating.

Academic Sports Centre, Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa

Sportcentres and clubs in cities and towns offer opportunities for playing basketball, handball, squash or tennis, and for aerobics, fitness or yoga. You can also take a swimming or diving course, or various dancing courses. Moreover, indoor swimming pools, beauty centres, saunas and solaria can be found in all bigger cities and tourist resorts.

Tourism

In Poland you will find almost anything you like in this regard: from rocky mountains, wide beaches, clean lakes and vast forests to world-class monuments. The greatest attraction of the country is its varied, unspoilt and unrestrictedly accessible nature. In Poland there is a large number of landscape parks and protected areas, including 23 national parks, 7 of which are on the UNESCO List of Biosphere Reserves.

To know Poland - Move Your Imagination, POT Polish Tourist Organization

Polska Zobacz Więcej, POT Polish Tourist Organization

This is why Poland is a paradise for active tourists who can travel around on foot, by canoe, on horseback or by bicycle. The best season for this type of holiday in terms of weather conditions is between May and September but Polish summer, usually dry and warm, also invites for trips in October.

Ideal places for all-year-round holiday are numerous seaside and mountain resorts, and – for those who prefer less active rest – spa resorts which have therapeutic springs and spring pools open to the general public.

Poland - come and find your story, POT Polish Tourist Organization

Poland - feel invited, POT Polish Tourist Organization

The choice of accommodation facilities offered is very wide: from standard hotels of worldwide chains in every bigger city, modern hotel complexes, including tennis courts and swimming pools, to small boarding houses or pensions and little cosy hotels, mountain hostels, camping sites and rural agro-tourist farms.

Safety

Police Academy in Szczytno, authors: Daniel Eustrat, Tomasz Muraszko

The protection of internal public order and safety is provided by the Police and the Municipal Guard. Coming to Poland, you can be sure that officers patrolling streets are there not only to protect you against any threat, but also to help you find your way and to inform you about your rights and duties in a specific situation.

Free emergency lines are accessible in all parts of the country:

General emergency number: 112 (information in Polish, English, German, Russian, Slovak, Czech, Ukrainian, Belorussian, Lithuanian or Italian, depending on the call centres)
Police: 997
Municipal Guard: 986
Ambulance Service: 999
Fire Rescue Brigade: 998

Daily life

Wrocław University of Science and Technology

Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Bialystok University of Technology

Lodz Solar Team, Lodz University of Technology, author: Jacek Szabela

Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, author: Tomasz Lewandowski

Dormitory, Pope John II State School of Higher Education in Biała Podlaska, source: Promotion Section

Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Jan Dlugosz Univesity in Czestochowa

Vehicle used to conduct research in Laboratory of Cars and Tractors, Kielce University of Technology, author: Kamil Dziewit

Rzeszow University of Technology, author: M. Misiakiewicz

Bicycle storage, dormitory, Medical University of Warsaw, author: Dział Fotomedyczny WUM

Laundry room, dormitory, Medical University of Warsaw, author: Dział Fotomedyczny WUM

Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, author: Tomasz Lewandowski

Studio of Graphic Design, Academy of Art and Design in Wroclaw, author: Alek Figura/ZPAF

Łódź Story, Opera Musical Show, Academy of Music in Lodz, author: Dariusz Kulesza

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Łódź Film School, source: Archive of the Łódź Film School

Kopytka

Copernicus Science Centre in Warsaw

Field hockey pitch and a tartan track, Poznan University of Physical Education, author: AWF Archive

Olympic Swimming Pool, Sports and Rehabilitation Center of the MUW, author: Dział Fotomedyczny WUM

Academic Sports Centre, Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa

Police Academy in Szczytno, authors: Daniel Eustrat, Tomasz Muraszko

Useful links