The most comprehensive and personalized support services available in Europe. Now, all are available on our installment plans too.
Every one of our Wizards coming from outside the EU receives everything necessary to obtain the necessary visas and permits
to work in Poland as an English teacher.
This is provided at no extra cost to you, and our legal team will be there to help you with the process along the way. Trust us, we know visa applications can be annoying!
**Pricing does not include travel expenses if applying in a city other than Krakow & if we are not able to provide someone in the customers city
Not covered: Consular visa fee (€60-100), Temporary Residence Permit administrative fee (about €100), medical insurance (required for visa, from €160 per year for the cheapest plans); translation fees (about €20 per document); personal documents such as passport scans, bank statements, photographs, and flight itineraries.
A work permit, if required, lasts 12 months. If a second work permit is needed, an additional payment of 100 euro will be required. For example, you arrive on a Type-D visa and wish to submit your residency application however your current work permit has less than 6 months remaining.
All add-ons, services, & programs are available to be paid in installments with a deposit.
Required documents for the visa can vary from consulate to consulate, so make sure to check with your local consulate.
You will usually not be required to get your documents certified, apostilled, or translated into Polish in most cases.
The completed Visa Application Form
Yes!
However, due to restrictions applied at certain Polish embassies around the world, we have realized that when dealing with embassies in certain countries, there is a high probability of visa rejection. If you are from a non-English speaking country and do not have a passport that allows visa-free travel to Poland, feel free to reach out and we can advise on the likelihood that you may experience visa troubles and the best options to mitigate the risks.
**Update 2024**
Due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Poland has suspended all visa operations in the Russian Federation. As such, we are unfortunately unable to accept nationals of Russia at this moment, unless you already have a valid visa or Residence Permit for the EU.
Yes! A Bachelor’s Degree is not a legal requirement to get a visa in order to teach English in Poland, though you must hold a high school/secondary education diploma or equivalent.
Having a TEFL certification or equivalent qualification for your profession is required. To find out more on what type of education documents are accepted, check out our guide here.
Yes.
The Polish government has announced that, as of January 1st 2021, citizens of the United Kingdom who were not living in Poland prior to 2021 will be treated as non-EU nationals.
Most consulates process visas in less than two weeks, although it’s best to inquire directly with the consulate. Before you apply for the visa, your work permit (or another form of work permission) must be approved, which is a process that can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months, depending on a number of factors. Also bear in mind that wait times for visa appointments can often be long.
For a full overview of the visa process and estimated timelines depending on what program you’re coming on, click here to download our full visa breakdown.
Yes. Polish Type-D Visas and Temporary Residence Permits are valid for temporary leisure travel in all 23 EU countries that make up the Schengen Area, as well as the non-Schengen EU countries of Romania, Bulgaria, and Cyprus. They are also valid for travel to certain non-EU countries in Europe, such as Albania, Serbia, and Georgia.
Note that Polish visas are not valid for travel to the UK or Ireland.
A Type-D Visa and Temporary Residence Permit are two completely different documents, though they both serve the same function: to allow a non-EU citizen to live in Poland for longer than 90 days. The key difference between the two documents is that a Type-D Visa is obtained from Polish embassies and consulates outside of Poland, and comes in the form of a sticker in your passport, while a Temporary Residence Permit is obtained from the Immigration Offices within Poland, and comes in the form of a plastic ID card.
The procedures, required documents, and fees required for each document are also different. As is the validity: Type-D Visas are valid for up to one year, and Temporary Residence Permits are valid for up to 3 years.
As the Temporary Residence Permit is applied for within Poland, in practice, our Wizards who wish to stay in Poland long-term use it as a means to extend their stay beyond the 1-year validity of their Type-D Visa.
If you hold a passport that allows for 90 days of visa-free stay in Poland and the Schengen Area, then yes.
It is possible to apply for a Temporary Residence Permit while in Poland on a 90-day visa-free period, however, though this is a more complex process. We strongly recommend applying for a Type-D Visa from the Polish embassy in your home country if possible.
If your country of citizenship requires a Schengen Tourist Visa to enter Poland and the Schengen Area, applying within Poland is not a possibility. You must obtain a work visa through a Polish consulate in your home country before coming to Poland.
Renewed, yes; extended, no.
Most Wizards come to Poland on a Type-D Visa will then apply for a Temporary Residence Permit shortly before the visa expires, allowing them to stay for a maximum of 3 years beyond the visa’s expiration. There is no limit to how many times a Temporary Residence Permit can be extended.
After 5 years of living in Poland on a visa or Temporary Residence Permit, it is possible to apply for Permanent Residence and Long-Term EU Residence, provided you speak an intermediate level of Polish.
In most cases, yes. Your spouse and dependent children can apply for a visa through the consulate on the basis of being your dependents. Dependent visas can usually be applied for at the same time as your work visa. Having dependent visas will not give your family permission to work in Poland.
You will most likely have to prove to the consulate that you have sufficient financial means to support your dependents for the duration of their stay, as an ESL teacher’s remuneration is generally not considered enough to support a family. English Wizards cannot provide any additional documentation to facilitate the visas or Residence Permits of your dependents.
Yes!
If you wish to stay in Poland beyond the one-year duration of your visa, you can extend your stay by applying for a Temporary Residence Permit (TRC), which will be valid for up to 3 years. This can further be extended by applying for a new TRC.
No.
Your visa will be valid for one year, and during this period, you won’t be required to obtain any other visas or permits.
That being said, if you wish to stay longer than one year, you will need to apply for your TRC before the expiration of your visa, and it is recommended to do this as soon as possible if you’re sure that you want to make Poland your home for more than one year.
Yes!
It is a multiple-entry visa, so you can leave and enter as much as you’d like during its period of validity. There are also no restrictions to how long you can theoretically spend outside of Poland while maintaining the visa’s validity.
The only time when traveling is restricted is if your visa has expired and you are still waiting for your Temporary Residence Permit (TRC) approval. Without either a visa or TRC, you cannot leave the country and re-enter. Though US citizens and nationals of a few other select countries are exempt from this restriction.
Nope! Your freelance visa or TRC allows you to study as well.
In fact, obtaining this visa or TRC if you’re enrolled in full-time studies is actually easier, as Polish law exempts full-time studies from requiring a work permit in order to work, as a freelancer or otherwise.
You will likely be asked to show a minimal amount of funds in order to cover the costs of your relocation. Though there is no set requirement for this, we find that they’re usually happy with around €1500.
Though a minimum monthly income isn’t required for the visa itself, for tax and residence purposes, you’ll need to be earning above Poland’s minimum wage, which as of 2024, is 4300PLN per month (about €1000).
Sadly not.
This is an “active income” visa, which means that your income must come from active sources, or in other words, working for client(s). Of course, if you do have a pension or other passive income, that’s your business, but that income cannot be used to meet any tax or residence requirements in Poland.
Fortunately not!
While many companies in Poland do require police certificates, only locally-issued Polish police certificates are acceptable. Obtaining one of these is a very easy process which we can help you with once you’re here.
Luckily you won’t!
Poland does not require documents from abroad to be apostilled. When applying for your visa in your home country, they will usually only ask for scans or electronic copies of documents. When applying in-country for a Temporary Residence Permit, you will need to have originals.
Nope! Poland does not require this.
When it comes to working, many companies in Poland will require this, though it can be easily done by any doctor once you’re in Poland at a very low cost, or even for free if you have a private medical insurance plan.
Absolutely we can! In most cases you will need to have emergency medical insurance for your visa or TRC application. English Wizards provides this and you can read more about it here.
Nobody likes to feel alone when moving to a new country, and that’s why English Wizards provides a dedicated team to support our Wizards every step of the way.
Our support team will be there to answer your questions before traveling, pick you up at the airport when you land, and assist you in sorting out the basic necessities during your first few weeks.
A PESEL is Poland's national identification number. It's required for basically everything in Poland. Let's make it easy for you and get your PESEL in less than an hour!
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Opening a bank account in Poland as a foreigner doesn't have to be difficult, so let's get your account open at the best bank in no time!
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If you're here for 6 months and want to drive, you're going to exchange your license for a Polish driving license. Let us take care of all the dirty work!
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Many employers will request a police background check from the local authorities here in Poland. We'll get it for you in less than an hour!
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Join one of our fun-packed orientation weeks and meet other teachers & digital nomads. Included in this service are also a bank account, PESEL (tax ID), government app setup, and a phone plan.
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Finding an apartment can be hard if you don't speak the language. Let us help you find an apartment for the "local" price, and don't shell out crazy fees to real estate agencies!
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Book an airport transfer through us and avoid the stress of haggling with taxis, lugging your bags around, and trying to find your way out. Offered from every international airport in Poland.
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Spend your first two weeks in a centrally located youth hostel or full-sized apartment! It's your choice, and we're here to make sure you get the best location and quality. This is also perfect for those attending our orientation week as you'll be grouped with other Wizards!
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Nobody likes to feel alone when moving to a new country, and that’s why English Wizards provides a dedicated team to support our Wizards every step of the way.
Our support team will be there to answer your questions before traveling, pick you up at the airport when you land, and assist you in sorting out the basic necessities during your first few weeks.
We have a trained team of Polish-speaking professionals who are here to personally assist you with finding an apartment when you first arrive.
Ideally around a month before you’re looking to move in, we’ll ask you for your personal preferences on your ideal apartment, including size, location, amenities, budget, and more. With your preferences in mind, our professionals will get on the phone with potential landlords and find you some options that meet your standards. Then we’ll set up appointments for you to view the apartments that you like. If you’re happy with one, we’ll assist with the process of finalizing your rental agreement and move-in as necessary, including translating the contract and reviewing it for “red flags” and helping get your home internet contract set up.
Nobody likes to feel alone when moving to a new country, and that’s why English Wizards provides a dedicated team to support our Wizards every step of the way.
Our support team will be there to answer your questions before traveling, pick you up at the airport when you land, and assist you in sorting out the basic necessities during your first few weeks.
Absolutely! Before we begin searching for an apartment for you, we’ll ask for your budget and give you a realistic overview of what you can expect at that price range within your desired city and neighborhood.
See our guide to finding accommodation in Poland for an updated overview of the rental market and how much you should expect to budget depending on where you want to live and how much space/privacy you want.
See our guide to finding accommodation in Poland for an updated overview of the rental market and how much you should expect to budget depending on your preferences.
At the absolute lowest end of the scale, you can rent a basic room in a shared flat in a smaller city for around €200 per month, or in a big city like Warsaw or Krakow for around €300.
Absolutely! Taking advantage of our virtual mailing address will give you access to this service. Depending on how many items, the size and weight and duration they will hold them all depend on the price.
Nope! Polish banks do not require any deposit however, some banks have monthly fees if the total transactions are lower than a specific amount of the total balance is below a specific number.
Nope! Banks in Poland do not charge fees to open an account.
However, many banks do charge small, nominal fees (usually just a few Euro a month) if you have an account open and do not actively use it. Requirements to meet this are usually very minimal, and you will be advised of this when you open your account.
If you’ve paid and joined our support or placement program then yes you do. We will meet with you in Krakow and get all of this done with you. For everyone else you will have access to our online resources and guides which will give you explanations and instructions on how to do this yourself.
Yes! However, you must also hold an International Driving Permit (IDP), which can easily be obtained from your local road traffic authority. It is recommended to get this before coming to Poland if you plan to drive during your stay here.
If you wish to stay in Poland long-term, you will eventually need to exchange your driving license to a Polish driving license. For more about this process, see our guide to this on our blog.
When it comes to health, English Wizards take it very seriously! We believe in work life balance, so we not only provide the emergency medical insurance you need for visa's, but we also provide access to Poland's unique Multisport system. A card that permits you access to gyms, saunas, tennis courts, swimming pools, martial arts, dance, and yoga venues.
This is all topped off with Luxmed private medical care plans that allow you easy management of your medical consultations, e-prescriptions, and much more.
You're in safe hands.
Our Accommodation Packages provide a range of affordable, quality-assured options to spend your first 2 weeks in Poland (and longer if necessary) at conveniently located guesthouses that you can book through us at an affordable flat rate.
For those coming for our Internship Programs or orientation week, these packages give you a convenient place to live, shared with other Wizards, and within walking distance to everything.
Our Accommodation Packages provide a range of affordable, quality-assured options to spend your first 2 weeks in Poland (and longer if necessary) at conveniently located guesthouses that you can book through us at an affordable flat rate.
For those coming for our Internship Programs or orientation week, these packages give you a convenient place to live, shared with other Wizards, and within walking distance to everything.
Our Accommodation Packages provide a range of affordable, quality-assured options to spend your first 2 weeks in Poland (and longer if necessary) at conveniently located guesthouses that you can book through us at an affordable flat rate.
For those coming for our Internship Programs or orientation week, these packages give you a convenient place to live, shared with other Wizards, and within walking distance to everything.
If you have a prescription issued from a doctor in your home country, it is possible, though not guaranteed, that you will be able to get it filled at a pharmacy in Poland if the same medication or a European equivalent is available. You may have to try a few times, as this is ultimately done at a pharmacist’s discretion. If this isn’t possible, a doctor in Poland can issue a prescription for a similar medication.
As there are obviously a lot of no-guarantee situations here, if you take prescription medication that is critical to your health, it is recommended to ask your doctor for a longer-term supply of the medication before leaving so that you can bide yourself more time to sort out your medical needs in Poland.
For more details about healthcare and medication available in Poland, see our guide to healthcare in Poland on our blog.
With the array and wonder of neuro divergences we get that many applicants have different situations. The general rule of thumb here is quite straightforward. If your current mental health will not affect your ability to perform your duties as a reliable and effective teacher then you’re fine! If there are any visible or noticeable signs as a result of your current mental health then we suggest having a more private conversation with us directly.
This only affects US citizens that are going through the Sole Trader pathway. They should ake a statement from the US government that confirms their pension and pass this to their accountant in Poland. Effectively, this portion of the monthly payments will be removed making running a company and working in Poland even more affordable.
The best place to get the full lowdown on all types of medical insurances is to read our blog on Health Service here. The simplified version is; for the Incubator Pathway emergency insurance is mandatory. The Sole Trader pathway doesn’t require it but if you don’t want to foot the bill in emergencies, then it’s best to get it. This is the same for the Direct Employment pathway. Private Luxmed medical cover gives you access to specialists and doctors with a modern app and English proficiency.
Our Accommodation Packages provide a range of affordable, quality-assured options to spend your first 2 weeks in Poland (and longer if necessary) at conveniently located guesthouses that you can book through us at an affordable flat rate.
For those coming for our Internship Programs or orientation week, these packages give you a convenient place to live, shared with other Wizards, and within walking distance to everything.
Though the recruitment process in Poland works very differently than it does outside of Europe, and if you aren't an EU citizen, finding the right options can be tough even though they are out there. Let our professional career counselors at English Wizards, with over a decade of experience in the industry, assist you in getting yourself ready and guiding you through the job market in Poland.
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Well, tax laws in Poland are fairly strict on this.
Polish law requires a monthly ledger to be kept, and tax and social security payments to be made and reported each month based on income. This is all fairly complicated, and even most Polish citizens who work as freelancers pay for accountants to manage things for them.
Trust us – as a foreigner who doesn’t speak the language and isn’t too familiar with the bureaucracy here, having an accountant who speaks fluent English will make things a whole lot easier for you and less stressful!
All foreigners can conduct business in the following forms, on the same grounds as Polish citizens:
A Limited Liability Company (sp. z o.o as it’s called in Polish) is by far the most popular option for foreigners and Poles alike.
Other types of businesses are available to certain categories of foreigners, including:
Among the categories of businesses that are more restrictive for foreigners, the most popular is a sole trader (jednoosobowa działalność gospodarcza).
When it comes to accounting in Poland there are a few things you should look out for. What level of English can you have with them? Have they explained all their individual charges? Typically Polish accounting companies granulise typical annual services to give the illusion the monthly amount is lower. Do they give you access to an online invoice creation system? English Wizards takes all the guesswork out of it by offering a very competitive monthly subscription service that gives you access to not only online resources & an online invoicing system but accounting knowledge & customer support in English.
Our career support professions will get to know you and your career ambitions, and advise you on your best options for jobs in Poland, where to look for them, recommended employers, and what positions and salaries you can realistically expect.
They’ll also spend a few hours working with you to comb through your CV, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile, and optimize all of them for the Polish job market. You will also get coaching on the hiring process in Poland, including how to navigate job applications, do your best at interviews, and negotiate contracts and salary.
No.
We are not a recruitment agency and cannot guarantee that a company will offer you a job. Although we’ll offer you a lot of support, and our career advisors are professionals with years of experience doing this, your ability to find work will be ultimately up to your skillset, qualifications, and ability and determination to seek jobs and interview successfully.
For your visa application, this is not required as the embassy will only need your home country address.
But for the Temporary Residence Permit (TRC), it’s a yes and a no.
There are 2 addresses that the office will ask for; a residential address and a correspondence address. While you can use this virtual address as your correspondence address, you will need to give them the actual residential address in Poland where you’re living for the former. And yes, they do check.
Using this virtual address as your correspondence address when applying for the TRC can be advantageous, as the office will often send critical updates to your application status to this address by traditional mail. Quickly reacting and responding to such correspondence is very important for getting the permit approved quickly. So, if you travel frequently and often miss mail, or are just prone to forget to check the mailbox, having a virtual mailing address that will immidiately notify you when mail comes in can very advantageous.
Absolutely! Taking advantage of our virtual mailing address will give you access to this service. Depending on how many items, the size and weight and duration they will hold them all depend on the price.
Have any questions about our programs or want to know more about English Wizards? Fill out the form and we will get back to you in the next 24 hours.