What makes Wrocław a hit European city among skilled expats?

When it comes to choosing a city to settle down in or move to for work, not many Polish or European cities match the charm of Wrocław. 

Greetings from a Wrocław Expat! I moved to this gorgeous land of bridges and dwarves 7 years ago for my Master’s education. I completed my 2-year Master’s degree and travelled around for work and an internship. By the time I finished my studies, Wrocław had me already hooked. Are you considering a move to Europe? Wrocław, Poland, is rapidly gaining popularity among expats for its vibrant culture, robust job market, and welcoming community.

I live and work in Wrocław, explore the vivid astonishments this city and Dolny Slask have treasured for centuries, and meet with a versatile international crowd living, working, or studying here. I must admit that figuring out ZUS, Karta Pobytu, and tax documentation in the Polish language isn’t quite pleasant. But with some nice Polish company, it’s doable. The city’s international community has grown, and so has the number of English-speaking folks. 

If you compare prices, convenience, accessibility, and facilities with other European cities, Wrocław has an edge over other European cities. I listen to the tourists’ perspective while guiding city tours in Wrocław and other parts of Poland (yes, I work as a tour guide too). And I confirm that Wrocław is more than what merely meets the eye.

The magnificence of Wrocław charms millions of visitors looking to experience the best bits of central Europe. And the capital of Lower Silesia packs a powerful punch as a top destination in Poland. But that’s not all when considering a European city to move to for work and settle. 

Whether you’re seeking career opportunities or a rich cultural experience, discover why Wrocław might be your ideal destination.​

Wrocław evokes curiosity in people with its intriguing past since its permanent inclusion in Polish territory after 1945, an eventful history dating back to the 10th century, and some of the city’s main attractions exhibiting fine medieval art. The city’s raw nature spots, ease of access, and a sustainable infrastructure draw hundreds of thousands of tourists every year. The fascinating part is, most of the present-day city is renovated after suffering damage during WWII.

The city’s well-planned bicycling and running tracks are the perfect allure for outdoor enthusiasts. While well-maintained, a widespread public transport network covers the far corners and remote streets of the city. 

Considering the city’s area (293 sqkm), it’s safe to say that the public transport network is widespread in Wrocław. As a quickly developing city in Poland, Wrocław’s public transport is fine-tuned regularly.

The city water is mostly clean and healthy to drink from the tap. Wrocław’s impeccable water management system recycles most of the water used by the city’s inhabitants daily.

Did you know that the largest city in Western Poland was awarded the European City of Culture in 2016? And I confirm that Wrocław’s culture game is quite strong, another major pull in making it a favourite Central European city among the large Expat base. During the summer in Wrocław, you can actually find a lot happening around, starting with concerts, theatre, philharmonic music shows, and opera, to name a few.

Marked by historical structures, Wrocław city centre is a busy place! Hosting numerous meetings, gigs, and events, Wrocław truly lives by its slogan as ‘the meeting place’. The past decade has seen a surge in expats moving to Wrocław for work. Subsequently, the popularity of Wrocław as a top Polish destination has also grown significantly. 

So what else makes Wrocław a hit European city among skilled expats?

1. Wrocław has favourable work conditions

Wrocław has emerged as a popular tech hub in Central Europe, which has attracted innovative companies and startups. The job market in Wrocław opens potential opportunities in the IT, engineering, research, and development sectors. Wrocław is a thriving tech hub, a nice place to work with favourable conditions for employees and businesses.

The dynamic ecosystem and networking opportunities have benefited Expats in the tech industry. Wrocław’s economy is powered by big global names like BNY Mellon, LG Energy Solution Wrocław, HSBC Bank, Google, Olympus, Bayer and Skanska, and IKEA. Many of them have their offices based in the Wroclaw Technology Park(Wrocławski Park Technologiczny).  They play a pivotal role in Wrocław’s job market and economy.

So if you’re a skilled professional, you can easily maintain a higher living standard compared to Western or Southern Europe. Poland also doesn’t have strict work regulations compared to other Western European countries.

Add to it the fact that the taxes aren’t brutal for the workers, and you can mostly find a decent job to cover the basic expenses easily. Simply put, the work-life balance is better in Wrocław when compared to other Western European cities.

In a survey conducted by Antal, a leading recruitment agency in Poland, 39 per cent of almost 1,500 participants declared their willingness to relocate to Wrocław. The respondents, comprising Polish specialists and managers, were asked about their preferred destination for relocation within Poland. 

Must read: Lost in Bureaucracy? A Foreigner’s Guide to Navigating Urząd Dolnośląski

Wrocław was followed by the Tricity (Gdańsk, Gdynia and Sopot) with 36 per cent, Warsaw with 31 per cent, and Kraków and Poznań with 29 and 28 per cent, respectively. Such reports share insight into the specifics of the job market.

According to Konrad Mazurek, Regional Director at Antal,

“Rich history, beautiful architecture, a unique mixture of possibilities offered by a big city and the cosiness of a smaller one, along with the most important factor – friendly inhabitants”, make the top two cities so thriving for native citizens and possibly expats.

2. Worcław has a low cost of living & relatively high salaries

For a skilled worker, Wrocław presents a higher standard of living when compared to Western and Southern Europe. The city offers a rich cultural scene, beautiful architecture, ample green spaces, and a wide range of recreational activities, the essentials of a quality life.

Expats can enjoy affordable housing, transportation, dining out, and entertainment options while maintaining a comfortable lifestyle. A skilled person from the industries (mentioned above) has a reasonable chance of finding excellent career prospects with competitive salaries.

3. Wrocław’s supportive startup ecosystem

Wrocław City fosters a supportive environment for entrepreneurs and startups, offering resources, mentorship programs, and access to venture capital, a tempting prospect for expats looking to establish their businesses. 

Digital platforms like Wolves Summit ensure effective connections between startups, investors and partners with relevant stakeholders. They offer smooth integration between companies and year-round engagement through events, corporate innovation challenges and startup scaling activities.

4. Wrocław‘s cultural diversity & international networking opportunities

A safe living place for foreigners when compared with some major names in Western Europe, Wrocław embraces diversity and has a welcoming atmosphere. Several expats here have admitted to a sense of belonging and support from the international community – an important factor when picking the city to move to.

The growing expats’ community and active professional networks in Wrocław provide ample opportunities for networking, collaboration, and building valuable connections within both local and international circles.

Suggested read: Spotlight on Poland 2024: Wrocław Hosts the Global Event for MICE Professionals

5. Wrocław’s Central Location 

Wrocław’s central location in Europe makes it a convenient base for travelling and exploring nearby countries. Wrocław Airport(Port Lotniczy Wrocław) and Wrocław Main Railway Station (Wrocław Główny) with direct and indirect air and train services. Wrocław has a central location in Europe.

Cheap Ryanair flights operate from Wrocław to almost all major European cities and other popular cities around the world. Travel time from Wrocław to Berlin, Prague, and Warsaw is 4 hours by car. Plenty of direct trains, Flixbuses, and cheap Ryanair flights from Wrocław to other popular European destinations like Bratislava, Vienna, Budapest, Prague, and Berlin.

The new highway system in Poland offers a good connection with nearby European cities. A4 connects Wrocław to Opole, Katowice, Kraków, Dresden, Berlin and Leipzig, some of the most visited places near Wrocław. If you enjoy driving, express roads in Poland (designated with “S” ex-S6) are close to German standards.

6. Wrocław presents good language accessibility to foreigners

While Polish is the primary language in Poland, I have come across many English-speaking locals during my 7-year stay in Wrocław. 

Language accessibility eases the transition for expats moving to Wrocław. I know many of my expat friends who still don’t know much Polish despite living here for years, and they’re doing well 🙂 If you are in the city centre region, you can find plenty of English-speaking people.

** Don’t be stubborn & learn the language of the land! (Enrol for Polish language classes) 

7. Wrocław presents good higher education & Erasmus prospects 

Wrocław is home to some prestigious public universities and Poland’s leading educational institutions like UWr, WUST, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław Medical University, and Wrocław University of Economics. These institutions offer a range of programs and research opportunities in various fields. Not to forget the exciting discounts and offers that come with a student’s ID card.

There are 20-something higher education institutions (universities, medical academies, technical universities, etc ) in Wrocław, accounting for a majority of international students.

8. Wrocław’s events, festivals & rich cultural scene

Wrocław has a diverse cultural heritage, which makes for a vibrant and exciting city life for the city residents. The city hosts numerous festivals, events, and cultural activities throughout the year, presenting the city expats with ample opportunities to immerse themselves in the local culture.

When looking up the list of cultural events & festivals, music concerts, art exhibitions, film festivals, and culinary celebrations, you’ll find yourself spoiled for choice. A rich tapestry of unique experiences and entertainment options awaits you here.

9. Safety & Security

A debatable topic and highly subjective, which depends on plenty of circumstances, Wrocław too has its good and bad sides. Of course, there’s always the who, what, when and where of every incident resulting in an unpleasant outcome. 

Still, from my knowledge, friends, and personal experience, I can say Wrocław is a safe city, at least compared to many popular names with low crime rates in Central and Western Europe. Expats in Wrocław feel secure while pursuing their professional and personal goals.

If you don’t want to attract unwanted trouble or some drunk and violent folk, avoid straying around the quiet alleys around the centre region.

10. Wrocław’s greenery & proximity to the Polish Mountains 

Fancy one-day skiing in Poland in winter? Head to the mountains within a 2-3 hours’ drive from Wrocław. During winter, people often go skiing just for one day by bus. “Express narty” carries out the day skiing trips from Wrocław, look it up if you are interested.

There are over 40 parks in the city (500-700 ha), some of which are touched or intersected by the Odra.

Wrocław emphasises environmental sustainability and green initiatives. Expats prioritising eco-friendly living and a clean environment may appreciate the city’s efforts in promoting sustainable commuting and green spaces.

A range of contemporary and fascinating museums, shopping centres, local markets, Sunday flea markets, sports complexes equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, and a vibrant nightlife scene guarantee a trendy life in Wrocław. 

Contributing to Wrocław’s appeal among expats, these factors make Wrocław a pleasant destination for those seeking a place to settle down or move for better career opportunities, a high quality of life, or a passionate international community.

Must read: Poland’s Immigration Law Changes in 2025 – What Foreigners in Wrocław Need to Know

Do you think I missed something above? Please suggest in the comments below. If you have questions about Wrocław, don’t hesitate to write to me! Thanks for reading 🙂

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Further read: Best Places Near Wrocław For Everyone Planning A Quick Escape From The City