How to become a digital nomad in Poland
Poland boasts a long Baltic coastline and has borders with many other countries in Central and Eastern Europe, namely the Czech Republic, Germany, Lithuania, Russia, Slovakia, Ukraine, and Belarus. The country is a valued nomad destination, pairing European lifestyle with a lower cost of living.
Why Poland
One of the best things about living and working in Poland is the cost of living. The country's affordability is praised by a large number of freelancers who choose to settle here. Easy access to the rest of Europe, a comfortable working environment, hearty cuisine, and a picturesque (though cold) coastline are some of the other advantages of settling in the country.
Big cities will provide all the necessary working amenities for freelancers: reliable internet and coworking spaces. Smaller towns offer a more laid-back pace of life, beautiful countryside, and an even lower living cost.
Best cities to work from
Warsaw is Poland's capital and largest city, and offers the most amenities to digital nomads. The city has the best food and entertainment scene in Poland and, if you are looking for a stimulating urban environment, this would probably be your city of choice with its developing startup community and good infrastructure. With that, Warsaw rarely makes onto the list of popular nomad destinations ' partly because of its colder climate and, partly because it is much less known than other European capitals.
Gdansk sits on the Edge of the Baltic Sea, and its main attraction is the beautiful coastline. It's also one of the oldest and most picturesque cities in Poland. Unlike most European seafront resorts, Gdansk is not expensive to live in. It offers a developed infrastructure, pretty beaches, and good connection to other Polish cities.
The internet and coworking spaces
Poland's average internet speed is estimated at 12.6Mbps letting it take the 41st spot in the ranking by Akamai Technologies. You will find free Wi-Fi access in coffee shops, cafes, restaurants, and hotels across all big cities, and there is public Wi-Fi available in some areas in big cities.
There is a good selection of coworking spots in big cities and even smaller resort towns like Gdansk will offer you a few reliable office spaces.
Coworking spaces in Warsaw
Busy Bee, Libijska 10/c
Sobusy, Żurawia 26
Noa Cowork, Jana Czeczota 31
Coworking spaces in Gdansk
04 Coworking,aleja Grunwaldzka 472B
Leisure in Poland
Lush countryside surrounds Poland's big cities, and there are a lot of parks, forests, and lakes to explore on the weekend. In BiaÅowieża Forest, you can spot the endangered European bison while SÅowiÅski National Park is a space of seaside lakes, dunes, and forests. You will also find interesting examples of medieval architecture in the region: the 14th century Malbork Castle, Wawel Cathedral and others.
What to know before arriving
Poland is a member state of the Schengen Zone, which makes it relatively easy to travel to. If you are a resident of a country that is also a member state of the Schengen Zone, you can travel to Poland with your National Identity Card. Alternatively, you can apply for a Schengen Visa before your travels and enjoy access to other countries in the region. Applying for a Schengen Visa to Poland is also considered easier than other countries ' thus some travellers start their European trip from Poland.
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