Twenty years ago, Polish workers arrived in the UK in huge numbers to chase better pay and opportunity. Now, the travel direction is flipping.
In the mid-2000s, the Polish population in Britain rose sharply, from about 94,000 in 2004 to close to one million by 2016. Since Brexit, fewer Poles have moved to the UK. At the same time, more Britons are choosing Poland for a fresh start.
Why Poland is attracting Brits
Many new arrivals point to the same things Poles once sought in Britain:
- Lower day-to-day costs and better value in major cities
- Strong growth and expanding careers, especially in tech and services
- Housing that feels achievable, compared with UK prices
- A calmer pace of life and a sense of safety
A study by 5 Real Estate found the number of British migrants in Poland jumped 340% from 2015 to 2024 (from 41,000 to 184,900).
What expats say on the ground
Ivan Prothero, 27, moved to Kraków with his Polish wife in 2024. He says shops feel busier, cities feel lively, and weekends are easier to afford.
Zachary Warchol, 30, has lived in Lublin since 2016 and describes rapid upgrades and growing opportunities.
Meanwhile, teacher Tony Arnold relocated to Olsztyn for one main reason: he wanted a home his family could actually afford.
