Warsaw Starts Here.

Your All-in-One Official Guide to Settling in Warsaw. No more fragmented info, no more stress.

Discover

Welcome to the City of Syrenka

Warsaw isn’t just a destination—it’s a story of resilience and warmth.

The City that Survived

Completely rebuilt from ashes, Warsaw is unyielding.

A Green Metropolis

Culinary & Culture

A Winter Wonderland

The Reality

Before you arrive, here is what you should know

Relocating is exciting, but let’s be honest—it comes with intense administrative dread.

The Language Barrier

Everything is in Polish. Official letters, forms, signs. We know the stress of hitting a wall of consonants.

Fragmented Information

Blogs say one thing, groups say another. Finding a single source of truth is almost impossible.

Scary Legal Procedures

Combine intense bureaucracy with zero language comprehension, and applying for basics feels terrifying.

But it doesn't have to be.

That's why we built the Warsaw Welcome Hub—the single solution for your journey.

About The WSH Project

The Foundation

The Warsaw Starts Here (WSH) project is carried by three Master's candidates at SGH School of Economics, in coordination with Warsaw City Hall officers. Our aim is to provide a smoother life transition for non-EU residents coming to Warsaw.

Our Focus

We focus on addressing the three most frustrating pain points: Language barriers, fragmented information, and navigating uncertainty both before and after you arrive in Warsaw, Poland.

Global Impact

While this is a non-profit project, all materials were carefully curated to ensure a seamless experience. We integrated 5 languages (English, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, Hindi, and Russian) to expand the project's impact across nationalities.

District Office Navigator

Never Get Lost at the Urząd Again

Every sign, notice, and guide inside Warsaw's District Offices — digitalized and translated into your language. Walk in with confidence.

The Problem

62% of new arrivals have zero Polish knowledge. Inside a District Office, every sign, counter label, waiting number system, and form is written entirely in Polish — with zero translations provided.

The WSH Solution

We digitalized every sign, map, counter notice, and waiting guide for all major Warsaw District Offices. Read everything instantly in your own language — before you even arrive.

Try it — Select Your Language

Floor 2 – Room 214

🇵🇱 Original

Wydział Spraw Cudzoziemców

Dokumenty wymagane: paszport, potwierdzenie zameldowania, umowa najmu. Prosimy o rezerwację wizyty online.

Translated

Foreigners Affairs Department

Documents required: passport, proof of residence, rental agreement. Please book your appointment online.

Ground Floor – Counter A

🇵🇱 Original

PESEL – Rejestracja Cudzoziemców

Wizyta wymagana. Okres oczekiwania: 10–14 dni roboczych. Numer telefonu: 22 443 14 00.

Translated

PESEL – Foreigner Registration

Appointment required. Processing time: 10–14 business days. Phone: 22 443 14 00.

Switch language above to see real-time translations

Want to know all the Legal Tips?

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Curated & Verified by WSH Team

Daily Essential Tips

Everything you need to handle the basics of everyday life in Warsaw, gathered in one place.

Phone Number & Bank Account

Step-by-step guide on buying and activating a Polish SIM card. Plus how to open a local bank account as a non-EU resident — without a PESEL.

Download Guide →

Housing & Contract

A curated housing portal to search for trusted landlords. Includes an anti-scam guide on rental contracts — know exactly what you're signing before you commit.

Download Guide →

Public Transport

Your complete guide to navigating trams, buses, and metro in Warsaw. Covers tickets, apps, validation rules, and the most useful routes for newcomers.

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Want all these guides in one place?

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Start your journey with

The Warsaw Checklist

Setup Progress0%

Prepare Legal Documents (VISA, Valid Passport, Insurance,...)

Research Apartment and Secure Housing

Have Financial Buffer and Backup

Exchange Currency & Install Essential Apps

There's more to it. From Pre-Arrival to Integration to the Community! 🚀

Get the FULL Checklist

The Local Playbook

Essential Do's & Don'ts for surviving and thriving in Warsaw.

What to DO

Register for your PESEL

DO register for PESEL within 30 days after your arrival. You can reserve application date and time online. Make sure you have all the personal documents needed.

Apply for TRC early

DO apply for your Temporary Residence Card (Karta Pobytu) as soon as possible. At least 6-9 months prior to your VISA expiration date is strongly recommended.

Validate your transport tickets

DO validate your ticket immediately upon boarding buses or trams. Ticket inspectors are strict, and riding without instantaneous validation carries a heavy penalty fee.

What NOT to Do

Drink alcohol in public spaces

DON'T consume alcohol on streets, in parks, or at bus stops. It is strictly prohibited throughout Poland and will result in immediate police fines.

Ignore official government mail

DON'T leave official letters from the Urząd unopened. In Poland, an unclaimed official letter is legally considered 'delivered' after 14 days, which can terminate your legal stay.

Go to the District Office Unprepared

DON'T wait until last minute to supply your documents. It's better to be prepared and provide all essential documents at once to avoid unnecessary delays.

Want to see the Full Playbook?

Download the Guide

Free PDF Download

Life in Warsaw: Everything You Need to Know

Skip the confusion. Grab our exclusive Warsaw Freebie Bundle packed with cheatsheet and local insights. Drop your email and we'll hand you the PDFs instantly.

Inside the Freebie Bundle

Pre-arrival Checklist
First 30 Days "Survival" Checklist
Practical Guide with DOs and DON'Ts cheatsheet

Get Your Free Guides

Enter your details below to instantly download the Checklist and Practical Tips PDFs.

What else you'll get

Micro-solutions for your daily survival and many more, all included in the Guide!

How to use Jakdojade (Public Transport)

Grocery shopping label translations

112 Emergency Contacts

Community Solutions

You're Not Alone Here

Beyond guides and checklists, settling in requires real human connection. These three initiatives are built to make sure you have people around you from day one.

Peer Support

Warsaw Buddy Program

Feeling overwhelmed by a new city? Get matched with a verified volunteer who has been in your exact shoes. Your Buddy will walk you through admin steps, show you around the neighbourhood, and be your first friend in Warsaw.

Volunteer-based 1-on-1 matching
Available in your language
Free of charge

Find a Buddy

Online Communities

Expat Network Hub

We've done the vetting so you don't have to. Access a curated directory of verified online communities — all active, scam-free, and English-friendly — so you can ask questions, find housing leads, and network from day one.

Expats in Warsaw (Facebook)
Warsaw Newcomers (WhatsApp)
r/warsaw (Reddit)

Browse Communities

Social Events

Social & Culture Meetups

It's one thing to live in Warsaw, another to truly belong. We organise regular social events — language exchange nights, city tours, seasonal festivals — specifically designed to break the ice between expats and locals.