Poles have traded the UK for Scandinavia in search of employment opportunities

Polish people have been exchanging the United Kingdom for Scandinavia when it comes to seeking employment opportunities, 

It was reported by Business Insider.

In the past, Polish citizens used to migrate for work to the United Kingdom and Germany, but now an increasing number of Poles are choosing Scandinavian and other northern countries.

Recently, Poles have been going to work in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland. They are attracted by the wages, high workplace culture, attractive social benefits, and positive attitudes towards foreign workers in these countries.

Scandinavian countries are not only seeking workers with lower qualifications but also offering job opportunities for specialists. According to the Jobs.pl portal, there was a shortage of employees in the fields of healthcare and caregiving last year.

In Scandinavia, knowledge of the national language is welcomed. However, many companies now accept communicative English skills as well.

Regarding earnings, a key piece of information is that there is no universal minimum wage in Scandinavian countries. It is only applicable in certain sectors such as construction, transportation, or fish processing, for example, in Norway.

This does not mean that less qualified workers are poorly paid there; on the contrary, in 2022, the lowest hourly rates started at around 40 Polish zlotys (9 euros).

Highly skilled workers can expect the highest salaries. Doctors, corporate directors, brokers, financial consultants, and representatives of the IT industry earn the most in Scandinavia. Denmark usually offers the highest salaries, followed by Norway and Sweden.

Here is an example of monthly earnings in Scandinavian countries in 2022 (100 Polish zlotys = 23.5 euros):

• Doctor: 43,900 to 68,000 Polish zlotys (10,000 to 15,000 euros)
• IT Developer: 22,300 to 34,400 Polish zlotys (5,000 to 7,000 euros)
• Electrician: 17,700 to 26,100 Polish zlotys (4,000 to 5,800 euros)
• Plumber: 17,600 to 26,500 Polish zlotys (4,000 to 5,000 euros)
• Welder: 14,500 to 22,100 Polish zlotys (3,300 to 5,000 euros)
• Long-haul truck driver: 15,900 to 21,800 Polish zlotys (3,600 to 5,000 euros)
• Production worker: 10,700 to 14,600 Polish zlotys (2,400 to 3,300 euros)
• Cleaner: 9,500 to 13,800 Polish zlotys (2,140 to 3,000 euros)
• Cashier: 8,900 to 11,600 Polish zlotys (2,000 to 2,600 euros)

Compared to Polish wages, the high earnings are undoubtedly the biggest advantage of working in Scandinavia and Finland. However, before making a final decision to seek employment there, it is worth familiarizing oneself with the current cost of living. These costs are also among the highest, but most Polish workers who work there agree that the salary allows for comfortable living, saving, and even some investments.

It should be noted that Ukrainian citizens currently residing in Poland are less inclined to seek work in other countries than before the full-scale Russian aggression. According to research, before the full-scale war, 55% of Ukrainian citizens in Poland stated that they were looking for work outside of Poland. In 2023, this percentage decreased by almost half to 24%. Among war migrants, this number is only 14%.