A member of the EU since 2004 and the largest market in Central and Eastern Europe, Poland has a robust economy. It is the only country in the European Union to have escaped the 2009 recession and one of the member countries least affected by the 2020 health crisis. Supported by domestic demand, foreign investment and European funds, the Polish economy has the advantage of a skilled workforce and moderate labour costs.

Source : Country profile Business France

Good to know :

Language spoken : Polish
Local currency : Zloty
Capital : Warsaw

The conditions for undertaking a Business France V.I.E in Poland

Do you already meet the International Internship criteria ?
Then consult the table here !

- If your situation has only ☼, you can try your luck for a V.I.E assignment in Poland. Your application will be examined.
- Does your situation have at least one X ? Panama will not be able to accept you as a V.I.E participant, sorry. But don’t give up ! Other fascinating destinations are open to you !  

Do you have any doubts about your eligibility ? Feel free to contact us.

The conditions for undertaking a Business France V.I.A in Poland

To go to Poland as a V.I.A, you must fulfil the conditions for accessing the V.I.A.
The administration that is recruiting you is responsible for your residence permit.

The cultural work codes in Poland

To break the ice with your Polish counterparts, start off with subjects such as family, work or the things you enjoy about Poland. If you speak a few words of Polish, it’s even better! Be careful, it is better to avoid jokes at the first meeting - keep them for less formal occasions. The first meeting is often an opportunity for Poles to see whether they can trust you.

Not very tactile, Poles need a certain physical distance to feel comfortable. However, they are known for their outspokenness and are extremely direct in discussions. This is not, however, a reason to press them to make a decision or to give them an ultimatum - in Polish culture, business takes time and patience is the mother of all virtues.

Finding the right balance between private life and professional life is an art !  In Polish culture you need to be close enough to your customers and colleagues to build a relationship of trust but not too close, to avoid compromising yourself or being asked for favours. With your colleagues, familiarise yourself slowly before mixing private life and work. So aim to establish warm professional relationships but not friendships.

Finally, when it comes to the working culture, cultural codes and meetings, always make sure that you are punctual. Although things take longer in Poland, this does not mean that it is acceptable to arrive late. Thus, Poles arrive and leave work on time.

Dress codes are quite formal - whether you are a man or a woman, the dress code is professional, smart and neat.

Things that may surprise you in Poland

- The car is the preferred means of transport in Poland. This is despite the fact that public transport and the rail network are well developed and reliable. As a result, if you travel by car, expect to spend time in traffic jams and allow considerable time to commute between work and home.

- Poles will surprise you, being both reserved and warm. This paradox is even stronger in rural areas. So while rural residents are often initially suspicious of strangers, once the ice is broken, their friendliness and sense of sharing are legendary.

 - Topics of conversation that are acceptable - your family, your origins, your educational background, your job or your passions. Do you have Polish origins ? Do not fail to mention them as this will be appreciated by the person you are talking with. If you talk about Poland, highlight the beauty of the country or share your taste for the cuisine and Polish culture. Topics to be avoided at all costs ? Religion, abortion, gay rights, drugs, Soviet occupation and sexuality. You may be surprised to discover that appearances or the way people live their lives do not always reflect their conservative views.

- Poles are very proud of their national icons - Pope John Paul II, Frédéric Chopin or the poet Adam Mickiewicz are true treasures of the nation. Your sincere curiosity towards them is a sure way to win the support of locals.

- Be careful not to make comparisons with Russia ! Forty years of Soviet domination have left their mark on the collective unconscious, making any topic of conversation about Russia a minefield. So if you have origins or ties to Russia, best not to mention them.