The history of Poland has been difficult and turbulent. Poles were losing their sovereignty and had to fight hard to regain their country. This was also the case in the 18th century. Poland lost its independence for many years. Three partitions (1772, 1793, 1795) resulted in the division of Poland between three powers: Russia, Prussia […]
Sailing center – more than a marina! Is it really so? In our opinion, yes, but we encourage you to find out for yourself! The Szczecin Sailing Center was established in 2015, and since then it has been actively working to promote water sports among children and young people. The facility, located in one of […]
Szczecin Oktoberfest has become another traditional event in Szczecin. This year, for the fifth time, Aleja Kwiatowa invites all lovers of the beverage from all over Poland. The second weekend of October will surely bring a large dose of humor, music and knowledge about the history of beer and its importance in the lives of […]
Throughout September we can still visit Szczecin accompanied by guides in German, English and Ukrainian. Each September Saturday, the walk takes place under a different theme. Details on the various installments of the event are available at the Tourist Information Center, Visit Szczecin’s Facebook page or on the website www.accredi.pl/visitszczecin. It’s worth hurrying, because places […]
Both the geographic location of Szczecin and its unique character: low population density, abundance of greenery surrounded by water, openness of space, work-life balance attitude makes it the city that is closest in Poland to understanding the Scandinavian concept of “hygge”. There are currently more than 160 companies with Scandinavian capital in Szczecin. Also stationed […]
True spring aura is definitely conducive to various outdoor activities. So why not combine the pleasant with the useful and visit Szczecin on… a bicycle? One excellent way to organize such a trip will be to rent one of the 800 city bicycles – Bike_S. With 100 stopping zones located on both sides of the […]
What to choose: general high school? technical school? Or perhaps a trade school? These are the dilemmas of students and their guardians The educational reform a few years ago abolished junior high schools, making this year’s recruitment to secondary schools a challenge for local governments and facility directors as well. According to the assurance […]
Already since 2014, a joint program of the City of Szczecin and the Szczecin Social Housing Association has been offering attractive rental units under the “House for a student” program. This proposal complements offers of renting private accommodation or places in dormitories. This is an extremely interesting option for people from outside Szczecin. An unquestionable […]
Holidays are a time to rest, play and spend time outdoors. The swimming pools in Szczecin have started the season and invite all citizens to use their services. The Arkonka swimming pool has been open since the beginning of June. Visitors to the swimming pool complex will find many waterslides, an artificial river, parking and […]
The project “Ukraine closer to us” is implemented by the City Center for Family Assistance in Szczecin. It is directed to people who had to flee the war in Ukraine. The main objective of the support is to mitigate the effects of traumatic experiences through psychological assistance, support of assistants, legal assistance. The effect of […]
Szczecin, like other major Polish cities, has many places to park a car in the center. The condition is to pay a parking fee. You can park your car in the more expensive so-called red zone A and in the slightly cheaper so-called yellow zone B. Parking meters are at the disposal of drivers, where […]
The fighting for Szczecin at the end of World War II was fierce and caused a lot of destruction. On April 26, 1945, Szczecin was occupied by the Red Army and on July 5 – Szczecin was officially handed over to the Polish authorities. Szczecin is the third largest city in our country. The characteristic […]
Nine years after its opening, the building of the Szczecin Philharmonic was appreciated and awarded. As the only one from Poland, it was included in the list of 200 significant works of architecture in the world. The list was created by the global guide C.guide, authored by the Spanish Foundation of Contemporary Architecture. The design […]
The Night of Museums is an annual cultural event during which galleries, museums and all cultural institutions are available to people during nighttime. Every year, the organizers prepare unique attractions and make normally inaccessible places available for visitors. There are concerts, workshops and performances maintained in the atmosphere associated with a given place. The whole […]
Summer is in full swing, the heat has temporarily left us – a great time to explore Szczecin! The ideal partner for a trip is the Szczecin Tourist Card. A relatively small financial outlay – 20 PLN for the 24-hour version or 30 PLN for the 72-hour version, and we’re in for a power of […]
This year’s recruitment for dormitories in Szczecin is still ongoing. A total of over 320 vacancies are waiting for those interested. Recruitment to dormitories is carried out for available places. That means that it does not include those who are already living in a dormitory and have submitted an application for continuation of their stay […]
August in Szczecin means many events worth noting. The most important of these will take place on the weekend of August 18-20. The grand event on the Oder River – Sails 2023 is the successor to the former Days of the Sea or Tall Ship Reaces. The festival of sails is a great family event […]
The 5th of July marked the 78th anniversary of the Polish administration taking over the government of Szczecin. On this occasion, like every year, a joint celebration of the City’s birthday was held. One of the traditions associated with the birthday of Szczecin is the awarding of the honorary title of Ambassador of Szczecin. It […]
The offer of apartments in exchange for renovation has never been so popular as it is now. The reason is, among others, the changes made in the Small Improvements Program. Apply from home From now on, residents can also apply to rent an apartment via the website: www.mieszkaniaodmiasta.pl. They will find both flats available in […]
Admission for Szczecin Civic Budget is open! Szczecin Civic Budget is a particular type of social consultation, whose aim is to involve residents in the process of deciding how to spend part of the budget of the City of Szczecin. Every year, at least 0.5% of the commune’s expenses included in the latest report on […]
As last year, the Association of Friends of the Faculty of Computer Science in Szczecin, in cooperation with the Faculty of Computer Science of the West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, is organizing a job fair on 19.03.2023 to establish academic-business relations in the IT industry. The event will showcase twenty companies from Szczecin […]
Western Pomerania has been subjected to numerous tests. The position between strong neighbours: Brandenburg, Denmark and Prussia did not make it easy to maintain independence. The ruler who knew it best was Boguslaw X, coming from the old Griffin dynasty. Boguslaw’s fate resembled life during a storm. He fought, and he won, but he also […]
Diia.pl is a residence document in the mObywatel mobile application. It is available to foreigners covered by the Special Act who have a PESEL UKR number and set up a Trusted Profile. To use this application, it is necessary to: • cross the border after February 24, 2022; • assigned PESEL number (with the stamp […]
In 2022, the Information Center for Foreigners team was actively involved in activities related to the sudden outbreak of war in Ukraine and refugees arriving in Szczecin. We met with at least 800 people. Many of these meetings were telephone advice and e-mail support. Refugees turned to us with everyday problems. A safe place of […]
The right to access our medical records is our inalienable right. No medical facility that takes care of our health has the right to refuse us access to this documentation, receiving a copy of it or sending it in electronic form if it is kept in this way. As a rule, the right to issue […]
“Full craziness” at the Museum of Technology and Communication in Szczecin. These are the words that visitors to the Museum of Technology and Communication in Szczecin describe the new exhibition. The Museum has so far been associated with the history of the automotive industry and interesting but static exhibits. From February 1, 2023, the space […]
CASE HANDLING MODULE – a new website for foreigners The Office for Foreigners has launched a new website addressed to foreigners. Thanks to it, among other things, it is possible to complete the application for a residence permit. The newly created website is available in as many as 7 language versions, including Ukrainian, French, Vietnamese […]
In connection with the pilot project of standardization of activities for families, possible to be implemented by local government units; the city of Szczecin was one of the first cities in Poland to receive the honourable CERTIFICATE OF FAMILY-FRIENDLY LOCAL GOVERNMENT. The Association of Large Families 3+ also agreed to obtain this title, appreciating the […]
The winter break for preschoolers and students is fast approaching. The holidays in Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship will take place from 13 to 26 February 2023. This is the time when many families plan joint trips to be able to take a break from everyday challenges. It is important to remember that we can use the tourist […]
It’s still winter outside the windows and parents and guardians of the youngest children already have to take care of places for their kids after this year’s vacations. This is the time when most of the recruitment for public educational institutions for the youngest begins. In 2023, recruitment for elementary school first grades and public […]
Issues related to the acquisition of properties by foreigners in the territory of the Republic of Poland are regulated by the Act on the acquisition of properties by foreigners (Act of March 24, 1920) and in the case of agricultural real estate – by the Act of April 11, 2003, on shaping the agricultural system. […]
Due to the war in Ukraine, to this day, more than 7 million people have fled Ukraine. So far, only a relatively small number of people of working age have entered the EU labour market, but the number of people looking to enter this market is expected to grow. Quick and effective integration into the […]
The Szczecin Civic Budget is a special type of public consultation whose aim is to involve residents in the decision-making process about how to spend part of the City of Szczecin’s budget. Every year, at least 0.5% of the commune’s expenses included in the latest report on the implementation of the city’s budget are allocated […]
Until 1873, the city of Szczecin had the status of a fortress, which significantly limited its development. After the change of this status, there was a period of development of industry (mainly shipbuilding), rail transport and dynamic expansion of the city. Johannes Quistorp, the son of the royal commissioner, played a huge part in this […]
There are isolated cases when the Border Guard refuses to re-enter the territory of the Republic of Poland to citizens of Ukraine who entered Poland after February 24, 2022, were granted temporary protection, and left the territory of our country for a period not exceeding 30 days then they wanted to go back. Such decisions […]
The war in Ukraine broke out on February 24, so for the first refugees, it has been 183 days since entering our country. After this period, a person residing in a given country may be subject to an absolute tax obligation in the country of residence, provided that several conditions are met. According to Art. […]
In the Community law of the European Union, there is no legal regulation regarding the mutual “translation” of disability certificates, and the Republic of Poland is not a party to an international agreement allowing for mutual recognition of documents confirming the status of a disabled person from other European Union Member States. That means a […]
The winter wave of refugees, caused by the war in Ukraine and its subsequent stages, is estimated at 200,000 to even half a million people. More people will come for whom basic, real-time communication in a foreign language will become crucial. That is why we present a new initiative of the Faculty of Humanities of […]
If you have worked in Poland and Ukraine and are now applying for a pension, read the information below. If you live in the territory of Poland: 1. fill in the appropriate form on provision from ZUS: 2. to the application for a pension attach documents that justify granting you this provision from ZUS and […]
Like every citizen, foreigners can acquire an inheritance, both in the form of intestate succession and under a will drawn up by the testator. In this case, there are no differences between Polish citizens and foreigners. The only restrictions are related to the acquisition of real estate or shares in it, and not in every […]
The general rule of expeditious proceedings is clarified in further provisions of the code, particularly Art. 35 §§ 1 and 3, under which public administrative bodies should act in every case without undue delay, and matters requiring proceedings should be resolved within one month, or two months in particularly complicated cases. The Office have so […]
What steps should an employer employing a citizen of Ukraine take? – The employer should notify the poviat labor office competent for the seat or place of residence of the entity that work has been entrusted to that citizen within 14 days from the date of commencement of work by a citizen of Ukraine. – […]
In connection with the information about the end of granting an allowance of PLN 40 per day for each refugee from 01.07.2022, seeking employment and taking up work in the territory of the Republic of Poland will become a necessity. Such an idea is absolutely justified and is to lead to the independence of those […]
The application can only be submitted online, on the ZUS PUE platform. If you want to log in to pue you need a trusted profile and a mobile phone. After submitting the application for 500+, a decision on granting the benefit will be made at PUE. On Saturday and Sunday, ZUS offices will be open […]
The Large Family Card is a system of discounts and additional rights for families 3+ both, in public institutions and in private companies. The LFC holders have the possibility to benefit from the offer provided for by entities cheaper, among others, from the food, fuel, banking or recreation industry. The LFC supports large families’ budgets […]
Temporary protection is a procedure that gives third-country nationals who cannot return to their home country immediate protection. After entering the territory of Poland, foreigners who have temporary protection receive from the Office for Foreigners: – temporary residence permit for a period of one year, – issues a residence card, – medical care, – help […]
According to Article 35 of The Educational Law, attending school is mandatory until the age of 18. Individuals who are not Polish citizens are required to compulsory education and benefit from the care and from learning in public schools under the conditions for Polish citizens (Article 165 above mentioned law). Students’ failure to fulfill compulsory […]
In Polish law, it is necessary to register your business in the relevant register to run your own business. This register depends on many factors, including especially the assumed legal form of the enterprise. Nevertheless, not everyone needs to run a large-scale company. Non-registered businesses serve such small gainful activities. Its basic criteria are: – […]
The apostille clause is a confirmation of the authenticity of the signature on an official document drawn up in the country concerned. At present, such confirmation is very important, especially for Ukrainian citizens. Ukraine is a signatory of the Hague Convention, which means that there is no need to authenticate documents at Ukrainian consulates in […]
In a situation where one of the parents avoids the obligation to pay child support, it becomes necessary to refer the matter to court to obtain a court decision. This court may be both the district court competent for the place of residence of the child and the place of residence of the sued parent. […]
Since the 24th of February, the beginning of Russian aggression, three million Ukrainian refugees, mainly women, and children, often non-related, crossed the Polish-Ukrainian border. In Poland, minor children cannot remain unattended or left without the supervision of an adult or an institution. To the situation’s need, the possibility of establishing a temporary guardian between unrelated […]
As part of the support implemented by ZUS, citizens of Ukraine also can access programs for families, like Rodzinny Kapitał Opiekuńczy, “Rodzina 500+”, or nursery. Nevertheless, the essential thing to qualify for those programs is to reside with a child in our country’s territory. This rule obeys every Polish citizen and every foreigner who wants […]
As a result of nostrification, a certificate is obtained, confirming that the diploma achieved abroad is recognized as equivalent to the specified Polish diploma and the specified job title. A nostrification form must be submitted to a university with A+, A, or B+ category in the specified field. The nostrification form must be submitted with […]
In Polish healthcare, the first rung is the primary health care, a general practitioner. Such a doctor should be selected at the clinic by submitting a written declaration. We register for them, in case of illness, for periodic check-ups and vaccination appointments. As part of the insurance, you can also make an appointment for periodic […]
The terms Black Friday and Black Week have appeared in Poland since 2015, and since then, the last Friday of November is when you can take advantage of many discount prices, both in traditional stores and online. Over the years, this day has become an important marketing event awaited by both sellers and customers. Retailers […]
Studies in Poland fall into three degrees: undergraduate studies (bachelor’s degree), graduate studies (master’s degree), and doctoral studies. In Poland are also available postgraduate studies, which usually take a year or a year-and-a-half. The academic year in Poland is divided into two semesters: the winter academic semester and the summer academic semester. Classes in the […]
The requirements related to traveling of people with dogs, cats, and ferrets to the EU countries, are covered by special procedures that require animal owners to meet certain conditions. These are primarily a confirmation that the animal has been correctly identified with a microchip and that the animal has been vaccinated against rabies, and this […]
Check who, despite martial law, can leave Ukraine and who does not have such a possibility. Regarding the current martial law on the territory of Ukraine, not every man can leave the borders. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine’s announcement, for the duration of statutory martial law, departure outside the borders is, […]
In order to conclude a civil marriage at the Civil Registry Office (Registry Office), the Head of Registry Office must be submitted the following documents: – ID cards with photos of the people intending to get married – Copies of birth certificates of the above-mentioned people. If such a copy is made in a foreign […]
Act of September 15, 2022 on special solutions for certain heat sources in connection with the situation on the fuel market – rules and the amount of a one-off benefit paid to people who heat their homes with coal or carbon-derived fuel. Rates: – 3000 PLN – when wood pellets are used for heating, – […]
The lease agreement for premises should be concluded in writing and include, above all: personal data of both parties – the landlord and the tenant, data on the subject of the lease, any terms and conditions of the contract (duration of the contract, amount of rent, payment dates, termination details, etc.). Practice and experience show […]
A properly drawn up contract should be made in writing with utmost care and precision in order to avoid possible unnecessary disputes in the future. The contract should include such information as: precise details about the seller and the buyer: name, surname, place of residence, PESEL number, NIP, type and number of the identity document […]
After concluding a purchase contract, each consumer may, by law, submit a complaint about goods that do not comply with the contract. The complaint is submitted to the seller since it is the seller who is responsible to the buyer for the compliance of the goods with the contract. The goods comply with the contract […]
The purchase and sale agreement is our most “everyday” agreement. We conclude it in every grocery store, in the cinema, in a taxi, but also when buying furniture or a mobile phone. We buy both goods and services. We should remember that it is the consumer who chooses the product and decides what features it […]
New regulations on employing foreigners 1. Extension of declarations deadline from 6 to 24 months 2. The simplified procedure for granting temporary residence and work permits concerns procedures for granting temporary residence and work permits, which were started before January 1, 2021 and were not completed until the effective date of the Act. This solution […]
Za osobę polskiego pochodzenia uważa się osobę które : – co najmniej jedno z jej rodziców lub dziadków albo dwoje pradziadków było narodowości polskiej Wykazuje swój związek z polskością w szczególności przez pielęgnowanie tradycji polskiej i polskich zwyczajów. W jaki sposób można zalegalizować pobyt cudzoziemca o polskim pochodzeniu ? Poprzez : Ubieganie się o Kartę […]
From January 1, 2022, in accordance with the changes introduced to the government program “Family 500+”, the rules for the collection of applications for child benefit have changed. According to the new rules, the service of accepting and examining applications and granting child benefit was taken over by the Social Insurance Institution (Zakład Ubezpieczeń Społecznych), […]
There is no need to hurry !! The changes in the traffic law will be painful for our finances. According to the new tariff, the fine for speeding by 71km/h will be PLN2,500,000. We will have to pay PLN500 for having a conversation on the phone while driving a vehicle. Fines for violations against pedestrian […]
Due to the current political situation related to the outbreak of war in Ukraine and the mass arrival of the country’s inhabitants in Poland there has been a rise in usury activities at currency exchange offices. In certain cases there were recorded attempts at exchanging the hryvnia at a PLN 0.01 rate. One hryvnia worth […]
The PESEL number in Poland is very important. Without a PESEL assigned to you, normal and every day life is virtually impossible in Poland. Foreigners who live in Poland can and should register – then they will automatically receive a PESEL number. (the next article will concern the registration process) if it’s impossible to register, […]
Pursuant to the Act on the principles of registration and identification of taxpayers and payers, the PESEL number is the identifier of persons which: are included in the PESEL register, do not run a business, are not registered VAT payers, are not tax payers, are not payers of social security and health insurance contributions. In […]
In Poland, there is an annual obligation to settle accounts with the Tax Office. It is a common obligation and failure to do so may result in penalties. PIT can be settled independently using the available tools. Here is a step-by-step instruction: 1/Select e-Tax Office on the website of the Ministry of Finance podatki.gov.pl/pit/. 2/Log […]
We invite you to visit the official websites run by the City Hall, where you can find the most important local information in Polish, English, German and Ukrainian. https://wiadomosci.szczecin.eu Additionally, the magistrate launched a special website addressed to people fleeing the war in Ukraine. https://szczecinukrainie.szczecin.eu The above page contains, among others information on issues related […]
Application form for people who want to temporarily admit refugees from Ukraine. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSci37LfT-ZgY0Y82cCCV39LjrHMmtaLfrawqE2Pk4zcxeGaRA/viewform
INFORMACJE DLA OBYWATELI UKRAINY / ІНФОРМАЦІЯ ДЛЯ ГРОМАДЯН УКРАЇНИ www.gov.pl/web/udsc/ukraina
We invite you to a free Polish language course at the Information Center for Foreigners. The course is for people living in Szczecin who start learning Polish. Classes will be held in groups of 15, in the afternoon, once a week for 2 hours, a total of 30 hours. The lecturer is our partner, Profi […]
