WHY POLAND?
About Poland
Poland, officially Republic of Poland is a country situated in the Central Europe at the Baltic Sea. In terms of surface it is 68th biggest country in the world and 9th in the Europe. In terms of population density it occupies the 33rd place in the world. The country is divided into 16 voivodeships that further divide into districts and communes. In May 2004 Poland became the member of the European Union. Poland is a country of stable democracy, with rich history, huge culture heritage and beautiful landscapes, flora and fauna. Many Polish tourist attractions found recognition in the world. While traveling through Poland a must-have places to visit are Cracow, Warsaw, Gdansk, Częstochowa, Auschwitz or the Tatra Mountains.
Formalities when crossing the boarder
On the 1st May 2004 Poland joined the EU. Polish boarder on the Bug river became the eastern boarder of the European Community and in wider geographic and geopolitical context of the entire continent, Poland has a central position. Poland became even more the transit country in the Europe. On the one hand foreign investments from the countries of current EU were shifted to Poland, on the other hand there is a trend of increasing number of immigrants. Poland is open to the people from all over the world.
Resident permit
Hospitality that Poles boast is reflected in the provisions regulating the stay of the foreigners on the territory of Poland. These allow to cross the boarder to every foreigner regardless origin, belief, social or political views.
Every foreigner who wants to legally visit the territory of Poland should go to the Polish Consulate Institution in their own country, where they will obtain information on what conditions they may stay in Poland. The list of the Polish consulate institutions is generally available on the websites of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in English language version at: http://www.msz.gov.pl. Depending on the purpose of the visit foreigners may stay in Poland on the basis of:
- valid passport of which validity expires at least 3 months of the date of leaving Poland;
- visa
- temporary residence permit;
- permanent residence permit;
Citizens of the countries with which Poland signed bilateral agreements about the abolition of the visa obligation enjoy the best situation. In order to cross the boarder they only need valid passport. The duration of the stay based on the passport is however limited, frequently to 90 days. This group however, includes also countries of which citizens may stay in Poland based on the passport shorter than 90 days – these are for instance citizens of Singapore – 30 days.
The list of “non-visa” countries is long and can be extended even more, subject to signing further international agreements. This list features: Andorra, Argentine, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Ecuador, Honduras, Hong Kong, Iceland, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Costa Rica, Lichtenstein, Macau, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Nicaragua, Norwich, Panama, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Switzerland, Uruguay, USA and all European Union member states.
Poland is a country open to the guests – both investors and tourists. By plane you can in fast and comfortable way reach the biggest Polish cities. The airport on the Warsaw Okęcie alone has direct connections with circa fifty cities in over thirty countries in Europe and in the world. International connections are also available at the airports in Gdansk, Katowice, Łódź, Poznań, Szczecin, Wrocław and Cracow.
Climate
Poland lies in the moderate climate with transitory character i.e. between sea and land climate. It is the consequence of the touching of masses of humid air from the Atlantic with the dry air from the depths of Euroasian continent. As a consequence the climate of Poland features changeable weather and significant temperature fluctuations in the seasons in the successive years.
Medical care
Citizens of other countries using the medical services on the territory of Poland have to pay for the medical services. Therefore it is recommended to buy travel insurance in the company in own country. Free of charge medical services during the stay in Poland can use the persons entitled to medical care based on the community provisions on coordination. You can apply for it in the institutions that made agreements on rendering medical services with National Health Fund. Such persons should before leaving equip themselves with European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). In case of an accident, injury, childbirth, sudden illness or rapid worsening of the health you have to call ambulance or go directly to the hospital, particularly to the hospital rescue ward. Medical transport in such cases is free of charge. In the hospital you have to show European Health Insurance Card or equivalent certificate.
Traditions and holidays
Poles are thought to be the nation that likes celebrating and is attached to the tradition, observing old customs. The oldest rituals especially those that date back to the pagan times have already lost their magical nature and became a colorful relic of the past and element of fun. Relation to the tradition is especially strong felt during celebrations of the greatest church holidays such as Christmas, Easter or Corpus Christi during which processions are organized or All Saints Day. Still very popular are pilgrimages to the places of worship; for Catholics it is e.g. monastery at Jasna Góra, for the Jews it is the grave of the zaddik in Leżajsk, for the members of Orthodox church Grabarka. In the calendar of state celebrations the most important place occupies the anniversary of regaining the independence by Poland in 1918, observed on 11th November and anniversary of passing in 1791 the first polish constitution, celebrated on 3rd May. In those days, established as bank holidays are organized solemn academies, marches, concerts and festivities.
Polish cuisine
In the Polish cuisine there are elements present of the cooking traditions of the nations living next to each other building multinational culture: Jews, Ukrainians, Belarussians, Lithuanians. The influences of Russia, Germany, Czech and Austria and also remote Italian, French and far-east can be noticed. Polish specialty are tasty cured meat especially sausages appreciated all over the world thanks to the application of traditional recipes and old methods of curing in the smoke of juniper or aromatic fruit trees as well as excellent bread; dark wholemeal bread.
About Warsaw
Warsaw is a city situated at the river Vistula, in Masovian voivodeship. Since 1569 it is the capital of Poland. The seats of the highest authorities are here: President of the Republic of Poland, Polish Parliament, Council of Ministers, Supreme Court and central offices. The Warsaw downtown is one of the most important business centres in Central Europe. In 2003 there were registered here over 268 000 companies, thanks to the beneficial investment conditions the capital generates 15 % of the Polish GDP.
History
Warsaw was founded at the turn of 13th and 14th centuries, however there were already here trade settlements. In 16th century Warsaw was one of the residences of dukes of Warsaw. The flourishing period of Warsaw was in the years 1674- 1696 during the reign of the king Jan III Sobieski and period of 1764-1795 during the reign of Stanislaw August Poniatowski. During partitions of Poland the city is in control of Prussia later becomes the capital of the Warsaw Duchy and then is part of the Kingdom of Poland.
In 1918 Warsaw becomes again the capital of the independent country, and six years later the number of inhabitants equals to one million. Gloomy years for Warsaw began on 1st September 1939 when the first bombing of the city by the air force of the Third Reich followed. Being attacked from air and ground after heroic defense Warsaw was made to surrender on 28th of September. Next years bring Nazi occupation till the liberation on 17th January 1945. Warsaw was destroyed in 84 % and loses 700 000 of its inhabitants. After the 2nd World War follow the estimation of damages and rebuilding of the city. For this purpose the Office of Rebuilding the Capital was established. In 1950 the World Congress of Peacemakers awards to Warsaw the International Peace Prize and in 1999 the capital city receives Warsaw Uprising Cross as tribute to the Invincible City.
Present day
Warsaw has the territory of 518 km2 and is divided into 18 districts: Downtown, Mokotów, Ochota, Wola, Żoliborz, Praga Północ, Praga Południe, Bemowo, Bielany, Białołęka, Ursus, Rembertów, Ursynów, Targówek, Wawer, Wesoła, Wilanów and Włochy. It is also one of the more important industry centres, main road and rail hub, science and culture centre. The seat of Polish Academy of Sciences is also here, about 50 universities, many institutes and cultural institutions including National Concert Hall, National Library, Teatr Wielki – National Opera, National Theatre and other. Worth mentioning are also e.g. National Museum, Museum of the Polish Army, of the Warsaw Uprising and in the close surroundings there are also 8 nature reserves (e.g. Lasek Kabacki, Lasek Bielański, Jezioro Czerniakowskie) 2 landscape parks (Mazowiecki PK i Chojnowski PK) and Kampinoski National Park. In the Warsaw alone there are over 80 parks of which the most beautiful are: Łazienki Królewskie and Wilanów, gardens of the royal Castle, Garden Saski, Garden Krasińskich or Park Ujazdowski. Over 100 km roads for the cyclists were prepared that lead through the parks, gardens and sights.
Labour market
Is Poland an attractive workplace for the foreigners? It is indeed. In our country since several years can be observed a systematic increase in the number of foreign workforce. Employers more and more eagerly hire foreigners. Current situation on the labour market however, indicates that the best chances for finding employment have people with vocational education. 47, 5% of the companies seek people with secondary vocational education. Most in-demand are IT technicians and other specialists in the field of Information Technology, as well as persons with the command of English. Voivodeship Labour Office in Warsaw presented the data on the labour market in Warsaw. Unemployment rate is only 2,2%. According to experts this can be explained by the fact that a number of state and university institutions operates here of which characteristic feature is the stability of employment.
