38% of foreigners plan to spend the summer in Poland. For comparison, only one in five plans to travel abroad, and 19% intend to visit their home country. However, if there were no limitations – financial or logistical – dreams of southern Europe clearly take the lead. Italy, Spain, and Croatia are the most frequently mentioned as the most attractive destinations. Those staying in Poland most often choose tried-and-true, popular locations: Gdańsk, Zakopane, the Polish mountains, Morskie Oko, or the Baltic Sea. Some respondents also said they have no holiday plans at all – often due to seasonal work, a heavy workload, or a desire to take time off later in the year.
“Differences in vacation planning are visible across nationalities. Employees from Colombia and the Philippines are less decisive – as many as 30% of them still don’t know how they’ll spend the summer. In comparison, among Ukrainians, just over 20% are undecided. This may indicate greater flexibility or less attachment to a specific holiday destination among Colombians and Filipinos,” says Natalia Myskova, Managing Director at Smart Solutions HR.
“One in four English-speaking respondents and one in five Ukrainians are planning a trip abroad. More Ukrainians, however, declare an intention to return home – 19%, compared to 10% among other nationalities. It’s understandable – for people from more distant regions like South America or Asia, traveling home often presents a serious logistical and financial challenge. That’s why for many of them, vacations mean traveling within Europe or simply relaxing in Poland,” she adds.
Holiday Budgets
Foreigners living in Poland generally plan to spend between 1,000 and 3,000 PLN per person on their summer vacation. 38% of respondents have a holiday budget of 2,000–3,000 PLN, and slightly fewer – 36% – plan to spend between 1,000 and 2,000 PLN. Meanwhile, 15% intend to spend more than 3,000 PLN.
“The most commonly stated budget is 2,000–3,000 PLN, which indicates moderate financial capabilities, but also shows that they take rest seriously – they are willing to invest in it. Interestingly, Ukrainian citizens show a wide variation in spending. Their budgets are spread evenly – from more frugal holiday plans, through mid-range spending, to trips costing over 3,000 PLN. This likely reflects the diverse employment situations Ukrainians have in Poland – from seasonal workers to highly qualified positions – as well as different approaches to saving and organizing leisure time,” explains Myskova.
English-speaking respondents show a more uniform approach to holiday spending. Most of them plan a budget in the 2,000–3,000 PLN range, but there is one exception in this group – 10% say they intend to spend no more than 500 PLN on their vacation.
“This may suggest that some of them prefer quick, low-budget city breaks or spontaneous nearby trips, treating them as a short break from work. On the other hand, the more diverse approach to holiday budgets among Ukrainians may indicate a stronger sense of settlement in Poland. More and more of them no longer view working here as a temporary solution, which also influences how they plan their vacations – in a more thoughtful way, similar to Polish citizens,” notes Myskova.
A comparison of both groups shows that despite moderate budgets, foreigners working in Poland try to allocate funds for vacations – though the way they spend them and the scale of their planned trips can vary.
Equal Vacation Rights
Do the rules around granting leave affect the holiday plans of foreigners working in Poland? A Smart Solutions HR expert explains that vacation regulations in Poland are the same for all employees—regardless of nationality.
“Foreigners legally employed in Poland have exactly the same vacation entitlements as their Polish colleagues. Those working under an employment contract (umowa o pracę) are entitled to paid vacation leave as per the Polish Labour Code – that’s 20 or 26 days annually, depending on total work experience. Importantly, professional experience gained abroad is also counted toward this employment history, provided it can be documented.
The situation is different for those employed under a civil law contract, such as a contract of mandate (umowa zlecenie). In this case, the contractor is not entitled to paid vacation leave, since these agreements are not governed by the Labour Code. Leave can be included in the contract, but it is not a legal requirement,” says Tetiana Hrynchyshyn, legalization specialist at Smart Solutions HR.
Foreigners employed under an employment contract also have full rights to all other types of leave – including special leave, maternity, parental, or sick leave. Employers are not allowed to restrict or differentiate these entitlements based on an employee’s citizenship.
Paid vacation leave can be carried over to the following year, but according to regulations, it must be used by September 30 of the next calendar year. In case of employment termination, the employee is entitled to financial compensation for unused vacation time – under the exact same rules that apply to Polish workers.
“The rules regarding vacation in Poland are clear and equal for everyone, but when it comes to foreign employees, it’s just as important not to overlook the respect for diverse traditions and customs within our international teams. For some, vacation means visiting family back home; for others, it’s an opportunity to explore Poland or take a short break elsewhere in Europe. A responsible employer’s role is not only to follow the regulations but also to remain open to the needs and perspectives of employees from different cultures,” concludes Myskova.
Sources: Smart Solutions HR internal report. The survey was conducted between June 1–30 among 103 foreign nationals employed in Poland. 80% of respondents were Ukrainian citizens, and 20% were English-speaking respondents from Colombia and the Philippines.
