How Important is Knowing Polish in the Workplace?

If you're considering working in Poland or planning to relocate there for career opportunities, one of the first questions that may come to mind is whether you need to know the Polish language to succeed professionally. While English is becoming more widely spoken, especially in international companies, the importance of Polish varies greatly depending on your industry, job role, and long-term goals.

In this post, we'll break down when Polish is essential, when it's optional, and what it means for your professional development in Poland.

1. Workplace Language: Varies by Industry

International Companies

In multinational corporations (MNCs), especially in sectors like IT, finance, business process outsourcing (BPO), and customer service, English is often the primary language of communication. Many of these companies hire specifically for English-speaking roles or require fluency in a second language, such as German, French, or Spanish, rather than Polish.

Local Businesses

In contrast, small-to-medium Polish-owned businesses typically conduct most of their operations in Polish. In such environments, not knowing the language can be a barrier to entry and advancement. If your job involves customer interaction, local administration, or legal matters, Polish is usually essential.

Public Sector and Regulated Professions

If you're looking at roles in the public sector (such as education, healthcare, or law), fluency in Polish is typically mandatory. These jobs require deep engagement with the public, Polish documentation, and local laws and regulations.

2. Team Communication and Social Integration

Even if your role is officially in English, many companies still operate with a "dual language" culture. This means meetings might be in English, but casual office chat, internal documents, and Slack conversations may frequently happen in Polish. While your colleagues may speak fluent English, knowing Polish can help you feel more included and avoid missing out on important informal communication.

Polish proficiency also fosters better integration into the work culture, helping to build stronger relationships with coworkers, managers, and clients.

3. Career Growth and Opportunities

If you're planning to stay in Poland long-term or aim to grow your career locally, learning Polish can significantly boost your opportunities. Being bilingual (English and Polish) often opens up higher-level positions, especially in management or client-facing roles. Employers value candidates who can navigate both global and local aspects of the business.

On the other hand, if you're working on a short-term contract or with a company that operates entirely in English, Polish may not be a priority for you.

4. Learning Polish: Is It Worth It?

Polish is considered a challenging language for many foreigners, but basic proficiency is achievable and helpful even outside of work. Understanding the language improves daily life, from reading contracts and utility bills to handling bureaucracy and enjoying local culture.

Many employers, especially international firms, offer subsidized Polish classes as part of their onboarding or relocation support.

5. Real-Life Experiences: What Expats Say

Here’s a summary of what many expats working in Poland report:

• IT & Tech: English is often enough. Some developers never learn Polish and still thrive.
• Customer Support: Depends on the region. If serving Polish customers, you’ll likely need Polish.
• Marketing & Sales: Polish becomes more important the more local your role is.
• Academia & Research: Varies by field; STEM subjects often operate in English, while humanities require Polish.

Conclusion: Do You Need to Know Polish?

The short answer: It depends.

Work Environment	Is Polish Needed?
International company, English role	Not necessary
Local business or small enterprise	Often required
Client-facing roles	Frequently required
Managerial or leadership positions	Very helpful
Public sector	Mandatory

 

If your goal is to grow your career in Poland and fully integrate into the professional and social fabric of the country, learning Polish is a wise investment. However, if you're in a niche field with English as the working language, you may find success without it—at least in the short term.

If you're unsure where to start, many resources and language schools in Poland cater to expats and professionals.