5 Differences Between the UK and Poland

The U.K. and Poland are incredibly different. Whilst both have deep and complex European history, cultural and social differences are marked between the two. Find below a selection of the major differences between the countries.

Accomodation Costs

The U.K is by far the more expensive country out of the two. Rental costs across the U.K. are far higher than Poland. For example, the average cost of renting a room in London is close to £700 per calendar month – in Poland, you’re likely to spend less than half of that.

Naturally, London is one of the most expensive cities in the world, but costs across the U.K. aren’t too dissimilar. The further north you venture, towards cities such as Leeds and Newcastle the rent does drop, but the cost of renting in a city other than London will not be too discernible. If you compromise on location and condition in these cities, then it is possible to find rental opportunities for less than £500 per calendar month but be weary of dodgy landlords and poor living conditions. If you need to access money for rental deposits then securing credit in the U.K. is a fairly easy process.

Wages

Over a lifetime, an individual in the U.K. is likely to make 49.5% more money than an individual in Poland. The cost of renting is offset by these inflated wages. The U.K. has a statutory minimum wage that’s updated every year to reflect the rise of living costs, and in London many employers operate the ‘London Living Wage’. Some jobs in Poland will pay half of what can be expected in the U.K. There are plenty of opportunities for those relocating from Poland to the U.K to increase their earning potential.

Living costs

Everyday items such as clothing, food and alcohol cost more in the U.K in comparison to Poland. For example, a three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant for two is likely to cost around £40-50. For a similar meal in Poland, you can expect to pay half of that. In the U.K., the average price of a pint of beer is £3-4 outside of London, with the cost rising to £5 in the capital. Poles can pay up to two thirds less than that on a pint.

Pub culture is a massive part of living in the U.K., so be prepared to spend a lot of money on not a lot of alcohol. Food costs may be more expensive in the U.K compared to Poland, but there are deals to be found if you shop locally or go to European discount brands. It is possible to secure credit in the U.K if you’re struggling to cover your living costs – it is vital to pay any credit loaned back in full and on time.

Health Care

The U.K. has a National Health Service (NHS) which is free at the point of use and you do not need insurance to cover any medical bills that you may incur while living there. If you’re an EU citizen, you don’t need to worry about anything other than registering with your local GP. Following Brexit, conditions of this may change so keep in the loop regarding your ability to access free healthcare.

In Poland, healthcare can be a lot more expensive if insurance is not sponsored by your employer. In the U.K, while you can use private healthcare, it is far less common than in Poland. Wages in the U.K. are taxed to fund the NHS.

People

According to the British Council, people from the U.K are more demonstrative in their behaviour – expect them to show their enthusiasm more than Poles would in certain settings. People from the U.K. will show enthusiasm earlier than Polish might, as they distrust instant friendliness. People from the U.K. might ask how somebody is to appear polite or as part of a general greeting, while Polish people will actually be asking how somebody is and the question is not just part of a greeting ritual.

There are a multitude of differences between Poland and the U.K. The cost of living in the U.K is far higher than it is in Poland, especially in larger cities such as London. Renting is an increasingly common option in these larger U.K cities and costs up to three times as much as it would in Poland. This is offset by the increase in wages – certain jobs can pay up to double the wages you’d expect in Poland while in the U.K. There are of course social differences between the two populations, but nothing too extreme. Healthcare is free for all in the U.K, including EU citizens, whilst Poland has an insurance-based system.