Bluesview
6/19/2012 20:01 EST
My Polish (Polish citizen) fiancee and I (American citizen) recently got married here in the states and now I want to move to Poland to live with her. From what I've read there appears to be stages of residency/citizenship at the beginning, 3 year and 5 year marks. Where do I start? Not sure of my first step or the proper terminology.
Thanks in advance.
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Lekitanin
6/25/2012 15:10 EST
The very first thing - start learning Polish. As quickly as possible. The more time you can devote to it the better. It will not be easy but do your best and do not get discouraged. Ask your wife to speak to you Polish only. Bring with you, besides your US passport of course, birth certificate, marriage certificate, high school diploma, college diploma if you have one, any other proofs of your training, experience etc you have. Have them translate into Polish there. Get in touch with the other US expats in Poland and they will offer you a lot of help and advice regarding daily, small things. Do not smile to the strangers on the street, do not say "hi" to them and do not try to be too friendly to people you do not know. Beginings won't be easy but after a while you will like life in Poland and if you make some friends there they will be for life.
Do not forget to file IRS taxes every year even if you are not employed in Poland and if you not make even "jedna zlotowka". You will be responsible for that for the rest of your life unless you officially renounce your US citizenship. Only four countries in the world require their citizens to file taxes no matter where they live and USA is one of them. Oh well...
Good luck to you and to your wife
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Bluesview
6/26/2012 22:50 EST
Thanks Lekitanin. I agree learning the language is going to be a challenge. Why should I not say hi, smile or be friendly to strangers? I'm glad you mentioned this as I would have done them all!
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pomian
7/22/2012 01:42 EST
Not Smile???
What a bunch of hooey!
I have traveled to Poland many times, eventually married a Polish lady.
As a visiting Canadian, I always smiled at people, and often looked in the eyes.
I never had a problem, rather had wonderful adventures and reactions. The advice may apply for the "villas miserias" in Buenos Aires or the streets of Baghdad, but in Poland?
Enjoy the people, the culture and the food.
It is a pleasure and joy to visit, and the longer you stay, the more at home you feel, and better you learn the ancient nooks and crannies of this marvelous and historic culture, long defined by equality and freedom.
Cheers;
Tad.
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snup
8/14/2012 10:26 EST
Bluesview - I'm kind of on the same boat. I grew up in the states and now I moved to Krakow and live with my girl. I've been here for about two months and I really enjoy it here. Food being the number one on the list. I have also started to look for a job. I would say its not easy from what I have found out but the jobs are out there. Many US companies have locations in Poland, mainly Warsaw and Krakow (where I reside) The thing is I was born in Poland and my parents took me to the states when I was 11. Not sure what it takes to get a work permit as a US citizen. Learn Polish, but in bigger cities you wont have much problem communicating in english at restaurants, bars, or even stores. Also beef is not the same in EU. What I miss the most or what I will miss the most would be the US sports that are not easy to come by here on TV. Good luck, and tell us how its going.
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Bluesview
8/22/2012 13:38 EST
Thanks SNUP. Learning the language will be a a struggle. But, my wife speaks English as well as Polish so I can get help from her until I'm up to speed. I agree with your thoughts on the food. Great food! And not so different from the U.S. in general except for how it's prepared.
My wife had bank accounts set up, but I will keep my U.S. account until I'm sure I no longer need it. I will be checking out phone plans once I'm there too. And I will keep my AT&T phone account for a very short while during the move. I still have family here in the U.S. I'm moving to Pulawy. A small town, but not to small. About a 2 hours drive south east of Warsaw.
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Fable
8/22/2012 14:34 EST
make sure you drivers license is going to be good for at least 1 yr after you land here, also look into paying skype VOIP, I use that for calling family it works great too. at&t here... doesnt exist, I buy a card from Orange 25zl a month no plan and even if I run out of time I can be reached so its allways good. Oh on food, eat baccon stateside till you cant take it anymore, theres no decent baccon here for real, also bring NYQUIL with you when you come youll thank me later.
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Lekitanin
8/23/2012 13:11 EST
@pomian
Well, that's your impression after travelling to Poland "many times". My impression after living there for over 30 years is different then yours. And I was not referring to "the "villas miserias" in Buenos Aires or the streets of Baghdad" as you wrote but to Poland.
I am really glad that you always smiled to people and I am sure that they all smiled back to you!
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julielaura1
8/23/2012 13:41 EST
I am a Canadian and have been living in Poland for the last seven months and I must admit at first I was a bit put out at people not responding to my greeting or smile but realised that they are not being rude but Polish people are more reserved than we are!
Not being able to speak the language I was concerned how we would get on (we are not in the city) but have found the people to be very friendly and if I cannot make myself understood there is always someone who can speak some English.
You can get most things in the stores (apart from decent bacon!!) but I have the hardest time trying to buy medications as they are mainly behind the counter so you need to know what you want before you go in, this is difficult as most products go under a different name here!
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