Silesia Region
Silesia Province is the most attractive region for foreign investors in Poland
It's unique economic position (13,7 % of the Gross National Product is produced here), places the Voivodeship at the second position in the country. The amount of inhabitants constitutes the region as 12,3 % of the country's population. Silesia is the most industrialized and most urbanized region in Poland, with a very well-developed transport and telecommunication infrastructure network.
Analysing transportation availability, one has to keep in mind that it is significantly influenced by Poland's transit location. Upper Silesia agglomeration plays an important role in national and Mid - European communication network. The agglomeration is situated at the crossroads of two transport routes A1 and A4. The Highway Through Route (DTŚ), connecting Katowice with Gliwice, is one of the most important road investment in the Upper-Silesian Agglomeration. Air transport is served by Katowice-Pyrzowice International Airport, the third one in Poland in terms of the number of passengers.
Our region has the greatest qualified labour force, strongly attached to work, which is a part of Silesian tradition.
Visiting, working or doing business in Poland
British citizens can stay and work in Poland without restrictions, it is usually necessary to show that you have employment or that you have sufficient funds to provide for your stay.
British citizens staying in Poland for more than 90 days should register at the Silesian Voivod's Office or Opole Voivod's Office in order to obtain a certificate stating that their stay in Poland is legal. This certificate does not act as an identification document.
Access to Health Care
British nationals possessing EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) are entitled to medical care in Poland as described on the web page of Polish National Health Fund (Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia). Permanent residents should have a medical card issued by the NFZ.
Driving
British citizens can drive on their UK driving license in Poland for up to 6 months, after that if you a permanent resident in Poland you must apply for a Polish driving license from the local city authorities (Wydział Komunikacji w Urzedzie Miasta). The UK driving license will be retained by the Wydzial Komunikacji whilst the Polish driving license is used. The UK driving license can be reclaimed at any time by returning the Polish driving license. DO NOT DRINK & DRIVE ! allowable alcohol levels are much lower than the UK and penalties are severe.
Drinking
Beware! Polish beer is on average 50% stronger in alcohol and half the price of British pubs. It is easy to over do it ! Take care.
Under the Polish law, people who are under the influence of alcohol (0,05‰) and:
- are a threat to their lives or health
- are a threat to lives or health of others
- spread scandal in a public place
may be detained in the Izba Wytrzezwien ("Drying out clinic"). These are medically supervised establishments in which you will be able to sober up at your leisure, you will not be invited to leave until you are legally sober.
Tips & Advice for British Citizens visiting or living in the Silesian and Opole voivodships
Life for foreigners who cannot speak or understand some Polish is not so easy in Silesia as it is in Warsaw or Krakow. Generally all the bigger and most of the smaller hotels will have staff who can speak English. Perhaps with the exception of the center of Katowice and Gliwice, restaurants will not have menus in English, although often the staff will speak some English. A lot of the larger shops, especially in the larger shopping centers will have staff who can speak some English.
If you have to do anything with "officialdom" then it is best to go with a Polish friend or a translator.