A foreigner may open an account in any bank of their choice. To do this, you should visit the bank’s branch office with the required documents. Depending on the bank, these may include your passport or ID document, as well as a residence card stating the purpose and duration of your stay in Poland. The bank may also ask for your PESEL number – to obtain it, you should visit your local municipal office. Before visiting the bank, you should call the hotline and find out about the required procedures and documents.

• PKO BP
• Alior Bank
• mBank
• Millenium
• ING
• BGŻ BNP Paribas
• Credit Agricole
• Santander Bank Polska

A foreigner can obtain a Polish phone number in one of the following ways:

1. Use a pre-paid phone card
2. Sign a contract with a telecoms operator for a selected monthly plan.

To use the pre-paid card offer:

1. buy a phone and a starter pack (available from telecom operators’ stores or kiosks);
2. register the SIM card with the operator, providing your full name, PESEL number or (if you do not have one) your ID document number; non-EU individuals must provide a passport or residence card number;
3. top up your pre-paid card as required by the operator (e.g. every month or every three months – the frequency depends on the top-up amount) or when you use up the topped up funds.

To sign up for a monthly plan, you need to sign an agreement with the operator for at least 12 months. The foreigner is required to visit the operator’s branch office with all the required documents (usually including a passport, residence card, working permit, valid credit card, and a student ID, if applicable).

A foreigner with a temporary residence permit cannot sign an agreement for a period exceeding the validity period of the card.

A foreigner residing in Poland on the basis of a visa may only use pre-paid phone cards.

Public healthcare in Poland is financed by the National Heath Fund (Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia- NFZ).

Where to seek medical help in emergency situations?

SOR– hospital emergency department – a unit of a hospital rendering health services for individuals in a state of emergency. Everyone admitted are offered help at SOR. However, you need to keep in mind that the order of the admissions of patients at SOR are done based on the severity of their medical state. That’s why you might wait longer than a patient who came to SOR with a more severe health issue.  The waiting period for admission can take even few hours if your condition is less serious compared to other patients.

NiŚOZ– Nocna i Świąteczna Opieka Zdrowotna– a care provided outside the working hours of your local medical center (during night hours or weekends) in case of a sudden illness or deterioration of health. Every insured person is eligible for admission at NiŚOZ- no need to have any referrals from your doctor or proof of your domicile.

Remember! In the event of a life-threatening medical emergency always refer to SORs in the first place or dial emergency number 999 to call an ambulance

PESEL (Polish acronym for Powszechny Elektroniczny System Ewidencji Ludności, which means Universal Electronic System for Registration of the Population) is the national identification number in Poland. It is given to every Polish citizen at birth, and may also be obtained by a foreigner who plans to stay in Poland longer than a few months.

This number is very useful for managing certain formalities such as opening a bank account, registering for a doctor or submitting annual tax declaration.

PESEL is automatically issued when you register your temporary residence at the municipal/district office. It’s also possible to obtain a PESEL number, even if you cannot register your address.

If you need a PESEL number, visit the district office and submit:

– completed in Polish Application form 

– a document confirming your identity and other data entered in the application form (passport, etc.)

The procedure of applying for PESEL is free-of-charge, however, the cost of issuing a paper confirmation certificate is PLN 17.

Instructions on how to complete an application form for a PESEL number

Cost of living in Poland

Useful information on transport in Warsaw

How to code a ticket on your Student Electronic Card

Warsaw – Official Tourist Website

#Poland

Discover Poland

Polish Culture

GREETING

Dzień dobry! Good Day

Dobry wieczór! Good Evening!

Dzień dobry, Pani Profesor! Good day, Professor! [to a female Professor]

Dzień dobry, Panie Profesorze! Good day, Professor! [to a male Professor]

– those above expressions are used in a formal or semi- formal situations

Cześć! Hi!

-used in informal situations ie. with friends and family

Siema! Slang word for cześć

Do jutra! See you tomorrow!

IN A SHOP

Ile to kosztuje? How much does it cost?

Czy mogę zapłacić kartą? Can I pay by card?

Reszty nie trzeba  You can keep the change

ASKING FOR DIRECTIONS

Gdzie jest [location]? Where is [location]?

Jak dojść do stacji metra? How to get a subway station?

Proszę skręcić w lewo/ prawo Please turn left/right

Proszę iść prosto Please go straight

EMERGENCY

Pomocy, ratunku! Help! [In emergency situations or in danger]

Proszę zadzwonić po karetkę/pogotowie! Please call an ambulance!

Czy jest tutaj lekarz? Is there a doctor ?

SOCIALIZING

Mówisz po angielsku? Do you speak English?

– used in informal communication

Mówi Pan/Pani po angielsku? Do you speak English Sir/Madam?

– formal version of the question

Możesz to napisać? Can you write it down?

Lubię Polskę I like Poland

Masz konto na Instagramie? Are you on Instagram?

Dasz mi swój numer? Could I have your number?

IN A CLASSROOM

Nie rozumiem I don’t understand

Czy może Pan/ Pani powtórzyć? Can you repeat that Sir/Madam?

Mam pytanie I have a question

Przepraszam za spóźnienie Sorry I am late

The SGGW Open University invites you to Polish language courses:

Polish for beginners A1 – Polish in practice – more info

Polish language B1 – Polish in practice – more info