Benefit entitlement in Poland for foreigners

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Sep 30, 11, 09:50 #1

As a British citizen by descent and subsequently EU citizen (via British passport ), will I be entitled to unemployment benefit/ housing/ youth allowance etc. in Poland should I decide to live there for a year or two? I don't want to work there for pittance and I just want to enjoy the country, culture and social life and improve my Polish language. (I have enough money to live abroad without working for 2 years but I want to get freebies where I can and when I am entitled to).

RichfilthThreads: 8 Posts: 327 Joined: Mar 8, 09 ♂	Sep 30, 11, 09:57 #2
will I be entitled to unemployment benefit/ housing/ youth allowance etc? Oh, that's really cheered me up this morning. There's two possible answers: a) No. b) Yes, here's 20zl, come back in four weeks for your next payment.

hague1cmaeronThreads: 21 Posts: 1,649 Joined: Mar 30, 10 ♂	Sep 30, 11, 09:59 #3
I just want to enjoy the country, culture and social life and improve my Polish language. Are you having a laugh, based on all your other posts on this forum surely you hate Poland, don't you?

SeanusThreads: 22 Posts: 30,158 Joined: Dec 25, 07 ♂	Sep 30, 11, 10:00 #4
I like the sentiment of the post, though. EU or not, they will find ways of denying you. I wouldn't expect even 1 groszy from the state here, despite me paying ZUS for the last 4 years, 2 at a higher rate. Begrudging = litote

antheadsThreads: 13 Posts: 306 Joined: Jan 21, 11 ♂	Sep 30, 11, 11:12 #5
unemployment benefits in poland? hahaha, this is a country shaped by the chicago school of economics afterall, get a job or starve , failing that steal.

gumishuThreads: 17 Posts: 3,943 Joined: Apr 6, 09 ♂	Edited by: gumishu Sep 30, 11, 11:26 #6
as a Polish citizen you have to work at least 12 months of the most recent 18 montsh period to be eligible for half a year period of unemployment benefit - I have no idea what's it like for other EU nationals

a.k.	Sep 30, 11, 11:27 #7
youth allowance What's youth allowance?

TeffleThreads: 28 Posts: 2,105 Joined: Aug 26, 10 ♂	Sep 30, 11, 11:33 #8
I have no idea what's it like for other EU nationals What it's supposed to be like and what it is actually like might be different of course.

gumishuThreads: 17 Posts: 3,943 Joined: Apr 6, 09 ♂	Sep 30, 11, 11:47 #9
there is something in lines of a housing benefit in Poland - it's a bit complicated but generally it is granted for people with low income (lower than 1200 PLN if single lower than some 900 PLN per person in a family) - the amount of the benefit is calculated depending on the average income in the 3 month prior to applying - again I have no idea if all EU nationals are eligible

FUZZYWICKETSThreads: 12 Posts: 1,997 Joined: Nov 3, 09 ♂	Sep 30, 11, 12:06 #10
gumishu wrote: (lower than 1200 PLN if single lower than some 900 PLN per person in a family) that reminds me of something. doesn't delphiandomine always post on here that minimum wage is like......1200 something zl per month? how would someone earn less than 900 then? man, 900 was my ZUS payment every month.

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Edited by: gumishu Sep 30, 11, 12:34 #11

that reminds me of something. doesn't delphiandomine always post on here that minimum wage is like......1200 something zl per month? how would someone earn less than 900 then? man, 900 was my ZUS payment every month.

900 PLN (or less) income per head in a household is what majority of Poles have (I guess) - the minimum wage quote is always gross - the curren 1380 PLN gross translates to 980 PLN net

a.k.	Sep 30, 11, 17:05 #12
.1200 something zl per month? how would someone earn less than 900 then? Imagne that you have a wife who doesn't work and 2 children and your salary is 3200 PLN. Divide 3200 by 4 and you have 800 PLN per person.

delphiandomineThreads: 42 Posts: 9,954 Joined: Nov 25, 08 ♂ [Suspended]	Sep 30, 11, 20:12 #13
What it's supposed to be like and what it is actually like might be different of course. As I understand it, Poland doesn't have complicated rules surrounding entitlement - either you're entitled to it based on your insurance payments, or you're not. Doesn't matter if you're Polish or otherwise.

PWEIThreads: 5 Posts: 894 Joined: Jul 28, 11 ♂	Sep 30, 11, 20:14 #14
delphiandomine As I understand it, Poland doesn't have complicated rules surrounding entitlement - either you're entitled to it based on your insurance payments, or you're not. Doesn't matter if you're Polish or otherwise. Have you ever heard of any foreigner ever claiming any benefits in Poland?

delphiandomineThreads: 42 Posts: 9,954 Joined: Nov 25, 08 ♂ [Suspended]	Sep 30, 11, 20:15 #15
Have you ever heard of any foreigner ever claiming any benefits in Poland? Wouldn't they just be handed a plane ticket to the UK?

rozumiemnicThreads: 4 Posts: 1,019 Joined: Nov 16, 09 ♀	Edited by: rozumiemnic Sep 30, 11, 20:38 #16
will I be entitled to unemployment benefit/ housing/ youth allowance etc. in Poland should I decide to live there for a year or two? I don't want to work there for pittance and I just want to enjoy the country, culture and social life and improve my Polish language. your ambition is to bludge the dole across Europe for a cheap holiday? Gosh what a winner, good luck with that.

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Sep 30, 11, 20:50 #17

I've thinking of heading to Aus, get all the benifits I can there. Oh wait they have laws stating that you need a certain amount of cash availble to last you your stay, or they put you back on a plane home the same day.

Why on earth would you think that Poland as a European country(which is in the biggest recession since WW2(europe not Poland) would give you free items when you have not completed a days work in the said country.

If they were to provide anything, i would assume that it would be means tested.

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Sep 30, 11, 20:53 #18

delphiandomine
Wouldn't they just be handed a plane ticket to the UK?

Doubtful. I'd imagine they just get a bit of cardboard with the word "Anglia" on it and some advice about how to hitchhike in Poland.

Although they might be offered a seat on the plane which the British government hires every two weeks to return to Poland people who Poland has issued an EAW for, given that it pretty much always goes back empty.

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Sep 30, 11, 20:53 #19

Why on earth would you think that Poland as a European country(which is in the biggest recession since WW2(europe not Poland) would give you free items when you have not completed a days work in the said country.

quite, especially when you already have money anyway. It's a safety net for the people of that country, not a 'freebie' for itinerant Aussies.
I have met your type in London, you spend all your time moaning about the people, the weather and the warm beer, and being superior in your Aussieness...;)

AussieSheilaThreads: 6 Posts: 113 Joined: Aug 14, 10 ♀	Edited by: AussieSheila Oct 1, 11, 06:08 #20
As a citizen of EU, I am entitled to all the benefits and support available to the citizen of any EU country. Thats the law. I intend to take advantage of this law to the fullest to my benefit and pleasure during my stay in Poland. If I get $300 a month, it will be more than enough to rent a small apartment for a fortnight in a posh area of Katowice or Lublin.

antheadsThreads: 13 Posts: 306 Joined: Jan 21, 11 ♂	Edited by: antheads Oct 1, 11, 06:14 #21
Reread what gumishu wrote again.

hythornThreads: 6 Posts: 843 Joined: Feb 21, 08 ♂	Oct 1, 11, 06:38 #22
I intend to take advantage of this law to the fullest to my benefit and pleasure during my stay in Poland. If your idea of a good time is spending hours inside a government office filling in forms then Poland is the place for you I hope your Polish is up to scratch Are you currently on welfare in Australia? It might help your case if you are

a.k.	Oct 1, 11, 09:23 #23
If I get $300 a month, I'm afraid even all the benefits together are not that high, correct me if I'm wrong. Thats the law. I intend to take advantage of this law to the fullest to my benefit and pleasure during my stay in Poland. No problem, go ahead.

WedleThreads: 24 Posts: 786 Joined: Sep 27, 11 ♂	Oct 1, 11, 09:56 #24
Have you ever heard of any foreigner ever claiming any benefits in Poland? Maternity benefits.

SeanusThreads: 22 Posts: 30,158 Joined: Dec 25, 07 ♂	Oct 1, 11, 10:13 #25
The scepticism is visible. Foreigners are a potential threat and it's hard for some old people here to see them as anything else. Benefits would be a joke anyway. Poland is quickly losing the plot when it comes to matching salaries with inflation and providing for those in need.

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Oct 1, 11, 10:31 #26

As a citizen of EU, I am entitled to all the benefits and support available to the citizen of any EU country. Thats the law. I intend to take advantage of this law to the fullest to my benefit and pleasure during my stay in Poland. If I get $300 a month, it will be more than enough to rent a small apartment for a fortnight in a posh area of Katowice or Lublin.

You can always make money as " tirówka"

a.k.	Oct 1, 11, 10:34 #27
Foreigners are a potential threat and it's hard for some old people here to see them as anything else. What do you mean?

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Oct 1, 11, 11:42 #28

it's hard for some old people

It's hard for some old people to do all sorts of things like get used to currency changes, use Iphones or remember where they put their glasses, however since we aren't a gerontocracy we have to consider the wider issues. It's important to consider the needs of the elderly but it would be unwise to allow this to become an issue that dominates. Becoming wary is a natural process of aging rather than a basis for social policy.

hythornThreads: 6 Posts: 843 Joined: Feb 21, 08 ♂	Oct 1, 11, 12:24 #29
You can always make money as " tirówka" people in glass houses....

SeanusThreads: 22 Posts: 30,158 Joined: Dec 25, 07 ♂	Oct 1, 11, 12:48 #30
Many foreigners are an unknown quantity to certain older Poles. They don't know what to expect from them sometimes. They are therefore viewed through a sceptical lens.

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