Moving to the UK from Poland: Complete Guide 2026
What you need to know
- •Free movement ended on 31 December 2020. New Polish arrivals need a visa.
- •Polish citizens already in the UK may have EUSS settled or pre-settled status.
- •Skilled Worker visa is now the main work route for new Polish arrivals.
- •No TB test required, but English language test IS required.
- •Budget 15,000 to 30,000 PLN for visa fees, IHS, and related costs.
Poland has the largest diaspora community from any single EU country in the UK, with approximately 700,000 to 800,000 Polish-born residents. Before Brexit, Polish citizens could live and work freely in the UK under EU free movement. Since 1 January 2021, new Polish arrivals need a visa. This guide explains the current immigration routes, the legacy of the EU Settlement Scheme, and what Polish citizens need to know about moving to the UK in 2026.
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The Polish Community in the UK
Polish citizens form the largest non-British national group in the UK. Following Poland's accession to the European Union in 2004, hundreds of thousands of Poles moved to the UK under EU free movement rights. By 2020, the Polish-born population in the UK was estimated at 700,000 to 800,000, making it one of the most significant migration flows in European history.
Polish communities are established across the entire UK, not just in London. Major concentrations exist in London (Ealing, Hammersmith, Hounslow), Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Southampton, Peterborough, Boston (Lincolnshire), and many smaller towns. This existing community provides a substantial support network for new arrivals, including Polish shops, churches, cultural centres, Saturday schools for children, and professional networks.
Brexit and the End of Free Movement
Until 31 December 2020, Polish citizens could live, work, and study in the UK without a visa under EU free movement. Brexit fundamentally changed this:
- EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). Polish citizens who were living in the UK before 31 December 2020 were eligible to apply for the EUSS. Those who had lived in the UK for 5 continuous years received settled status (equivalent to ILR). Those with less than 5 years received pre-settled status, which they can convert to settled status after reaching the 5-year threshold.
- New arrivals need a visa. Since 1 January 2021, Polish citizens who want to move to the UK must apply through the standard immigration system. This means obtaining a Skilled Worker visa, student visa, family visa, or another qualifying route — the same requirement as any other non-EEA national.
This represents a dramatic shift. Polish citizens who grew up with the expectation of free movement to the UK must now navigate a points-based immigration system with salary thresholds, sponsor requirements, and English language tests.
Visa Routes for Polish Citizens (New Arrivals)
Skilled Worker Visa
The Skilled Worker visa is the primary route for Polish citizens seeking employment in the UK. You need a job offer from a UK employer with a sponsor licence at the minimum salary of £38,700 (or £30,960 for Immigration Salary List roles). Polish professionals in construction management, engineering, IT, healthcare, and logistics are well represented on this route.
Health and Care Worker Visa
A sub-category of the Skilled Worker visa with reduced fees and no IHS requirement. Polish nurses, care workers, and healthcare professionals can use this route with a lower salary threshold. Given the UK's significant healthcare recruitment needs, this is an increasingly popular route.
Family Visas
If your spouse, partner, or parent is a British citizen or has settled status (including EUSS settled status), you can apply for a spouse visa. This is particularly relevant for Polish citizens whose family members obtained settled status through the EUSS. The financial requirement is £29,000 annual income.
Student Visa
The Student visa requires a CAS from a licensed UK institution. Before Brexit, Polish students paid home fees at UK universities. Now, they pay international fees, which are substantially higher. After completing a degree, the Graduate route provides 2 years of work permission.
EU Settlement Scheme: Legacy and Late Applications
The EUSS application deadline was 30 June 2021. If you were living in the UK before 31 December 2020 and did not apply:
- Late applications. The Home Office accepts late EUSS applications where you have "reasonable grounds" for missing the deadline. Examples include serious illness, being a child whose parent failed to apply, or not being aware of the requirement.
- Pre-settled to settled. If you have pre-settled status, you can apply for settled status once you have 5 years' continuous residence. This is free of charge.
- Settled status rights. EUSS settled status gives you the right to live, work, and access public funds in the UK indefinitely. It is equivalent to ILR but with some differences in how it interacts with absence rules.
If you have EUSS status, you do not need to apply for a separate visa. Your status is linked to your passport and can be verified through the Home Office's online system.
Document Requirements for Polish Applicants
- Valid Polish passport. You can no longer use a Polish national identity card (dowód osobisty) for UK immigration purposes — a passport is required.
- Zaświadczenie o niekaralności. A criminal record certificate from the Krajowy Rejestr Karny (National Criminal Register). Apply at any sąd okręgowy (regional court) in person for 20 PLN or online through the e-KRK system for 30 PLN. Processing is same-day in person or approximately 7 days online.
- Certified English translation. All Polish-language documents must be translated into English by a certified translator (tłumacz przysięgły).
- No apostille required for most applications. Polish documents are generally accepted without apostille for UK visa purposes, though some applicants choose to apostille for added certainty.
- No TB test. Poland is not on the UK's designated list.
English Language Requirement
Polish citizens must prove their English language ability:
- Skilled Worker visa: CEFR B1
- Spouse visa (initial): CEFR A1
- Spouse visa (extension): CEFR A2
- ILR: CEFR B1
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IELTS for UKVI and LanguageCert tests are available in Warsaw, Krakow, Wroclaw, and other major Polish cities. Alternatively, if you hold a degree taught entirely in English (from any country), this can satisfy the requirement.
Processing Times
Polish citizens apply online. There is no VAC visit required. Processing times in 2026:
- Skilled Worker visa: 3 to 8 weeks
- Spouse visa: 8 to 24 weeks
- Student visa: 3 to 4 weeks
Financial Evidence in Polish Zloty
- Bank statements. Provide 6 months of statements from your Polish bank (PKO BP, mBank, ING, Santander PL, etc.). The Home Office converts PLN to GBP at the prevailing rate.
- Spouse visa savings. £16,000 above any income shortfall — approximately 80,000 to 85,000 PLN at 2026 exchange rates.
- Student maintenance. £1,334/month (London) or £1,023/month (outside London) for 9 months — approximately 55,000 to 65,000 PLN.
- Currency stability. The Polish zloty is relatively stable against GBP compared to many currencies, but check the rate when preparing your application.
Costs for Polish Applicants
- Skilled Worker visa fee: £719 to £1,500 (approximately 3,600 to 7,500 PLN)
- IHS (per year): £1,035 (approximately 5,200 PLN)
- English language test: approximately 800 to 1,000 PLN
- KRK police certificate: 20 to 30 PLN
- Certified translations: approximately 200 to 500 PLN
- No TB test cost
For a 3-year Skilled Worker visa with IHS, the total is approximately 20,000 to 30,000 PLN. Including flights (500 to 2,000 PLN) and initial settling costs, budget 25,000 to 40,000 PLN. See our UK visa fees guide.
Common Issues for Polish Applicants
- Confusion about rights after Brexit. Many Polish citizens are unclear about whether they need a visa. If you were in the UK before 31 December 2020 and applied to the EUSS, you have settled or pre-settled status and do not need a visa. If you are a new arrival, you do need one.
- Employer sponsorship challenges. Many Polish workers in the UK were employed in sectors (construction, warehousing, food processing) where employers did not previously need to sponsor workers. Some employers in these sectors have not obtained sponsor licences, making it harder for new Polish workers to find qualifying roles.
- English language barriers. While many younger Polish citizens speak English well, the formal testing requirement (SELT test) can be a hurdle. Prepare for the specific test format, not just general English ability.
- International fees for students. Polish students now pay international tuition fees at UK universities, which are 2 to 3 times higher than home fees. This makes UK study significantly more expensive than before Brexit.
- Pre-settled status expiry. Pre-settled status is valid for 5 years. If you do not apply for settled status before it expires, you lose your EUSS rights. Check your status expiry date and apply for settled status as soon as you are eligible.
Practical Tips for Moving from Poland to the UK
Flights and Arrival
Direct flights from Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk, Wroclaw, Poznan, and Katowice to London take approximately 2.5 hours. LOT Polish Airlines, Ryanair, Wizz Air, easyJet, and British Airways operate frequent services. One-way flights cost 200 to 1,500 PLN. Budget airlines make this one of the cheapest international routes to the UK.
Polish Community in the UK
The Polish community in the UK is exceptionally well established. In virtually every UK town of significant size, you will find Polish shops (sklepy polskie), Polish churches (including regular Mass in Polish), Polish Saturday schools for children, and community organisations. The Polish Social and Cultural Association (POSK) in Hammersmith, London, is the largest Polish cultural centre outside Poland. Major Polish media outlets (Cooltura, Polish Express, Goniec Polski) operate in the UK, and Polish is the most commonly spoken foreign language in England and Wales.
Cultural Adjustment
Polish citizens generally adapt well to life in the UK. The main challenges are the higher cost of living (particularly housing), the different workplace culture (more informal than in Poland), and the weather (similar latitude to Poland but wetter and less extreme in temperature). The strong existing Polish community significantly eases the transition, and many new arrivals find established networks through church, community centres, and social media groups (Facebook groups for Poles in specific UK cities are extremely active).
After Arrival
- Collect your BRP within 10 days
- Apply for a National Insurance number
- Open a UK bank account
- Register with a GP
- Understand your employment rights
Path to Settlement and Citizenship
After 5 years on a Skilled Worker or other qualifying visa, you can apply for ILR. You must meet the continuous residence requirement, pass the Life in the UK test, and meet the English language requirement at CEFR B1.
After 12 months with ILR, you can apply for British citizenship. Poland permits dual citizenship in most circumstances, so you can hold both Polish and British passports.
Next Steps
If you are a new arrival, start by checking whether the Skilled Worker visa fits your situation. If you are joining a partner with EUSS settled status, explore the spouse visa. If you were in the UK before Brexit and have not applied for the EUSS, seek legal advice about a late application.
For official information, visit the GOV.UK EU Settlement Scheme page and the GOV.UK Skilled Worker visa page.
This guide is general information, not immigration advice. Immigration rules change frequently. For advice on your specific situation, consult an OISC-registered adviser or immigration solicitor. Always check GOV.UK for the latest rules.
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