How to Find Friends and Build a Community in Poland: A Practical Guide for Foreigners!

Moving to a new country is both exciting and challenging! One of the biggest issues immigrants face is loneliness and the difficulty of making new friends. How can you find friends in Poland? What are the best ways to integrate? How do Poles approach foreigners? Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you feel at home! 🏡💙

1. Free Groups for Foreigners – Your Community Awaits!

Good news – Poland has many groups, organizations, and events designed to help immigrants integrate. Here, you can find friends, support, and essential information about life in Poland. Check out these places:

📌 Facebook Groups
Facebook is one of the best platforms to make connections – simply join local groups! Search for:

• Expats in [Your City] – for example, “Expats in Warsaw” or “Expats in Krakow”

• Foreigners in Poland – large groups for immigrants

• Citizens of the World in Poland – groups for specific nationalities (e.g., “Ukrainians in Poland”, “Indians in Poland”)

• Language Exchange Poland – groups for language exchange

• Meetup & Events Poland – social events

💡 Tip: Don’t hesitate to post! Whether you’re looking for a coffee buddy, a tour partner, or someone to join you for sports – someone is sure to respond!

📌 Meetup.com – Events for Everyone
Meetup is a fantastic platform to find people with similar interests. You can join themed groups, such as:

• Creative Workshops (photography, art)

• Concerts and Live Music

• Sports and Fitness (running, yoga, football)

• Cultural and Theatre Meetups

• Book and Discussion Clubs

📌 Social Apps

• Bumble BFF – a version of Bumble for finding friends!

• Tandem / HelloTalk – language exchange apps where you can meet Poles learning your language

• Couchsurfing Hangouts – even if you’re not traveling, you can connect with people from around the world!

2. Best Places for Integration in Real Life

If you prefer face-to-face interactions, here are some of the best places to meet people:

📍 Coworking Spaces and Business Events
If you work remotely, coworking spaces are perfect for meeting other freelancers and foreigners. Many coworking spaces host networking events – ideal for advancing your career in Poland!
Recommended spots:

• Warsaw: WeWork, Brain Embassy, HubHub

• Gdańsk: O4 Coworking

• Wrocław: Regus, CO12

📍 Local Pubs and Language Meetups
In major cities, language meetups are held weekly where you can converse in English, Polish, and other languages!
Popular events include:

• Tandem Evenings (Warsaw, Krakow, Wrocław, Gdańsk)

• Language Exchange Meetings (various cities)

• Free Walking Tours + Pub Crawls – combining sightseeing with an evening out

📍 Sports Clubs and Gyms
Sports offer a great way to integrate, even if you don’t speak Polish fluently. In Poland, you can join clubs for football, volleyball, basketball, or even running and cycling groups.
Where to join:

• Facebook groups like “Amateur Football [City]”

• Parkrun – free weekly runs

• Gyms and fitness classes at Zdrofit, CityFit, or Calypso

📍 Volunteering and Social Organizations
Volunteering is a fantastic way to build deep relationships with locals and experience the culture firsthand!
Opportunities include:

• Ocalenie Foundation – support for immigrants

• Szlachetna Paczka – helping those in need

• Local animal shelters and other community organizations

3. How Do Poles Approach Friendships with Immigrants?

Are Poles open to new friendships? Yes – but there are a few cultural nuances to keep in mind:

Initial Reserve: At first, Poles might seem a bit reserved. They take time to open up, but once you earn their trust, they become very loyal friends.
Honesty and Directness: They value sincerity and directness – avoid insincere or overly formal greetings.
Initiative: They might not always start conversations, so don’t hesitate to make the first move.
Small Gatherings: Poles often prefer small, intimate gatherings. Receiving an invitation to a house party is a great sign that you’re being accepted as one of their own.

Final Thoughts: How to Get Started?

• Join Facebook groups for foreigners and check out Meetup.com.

• Attend language meetups and local events.

• Engage in volunteering or sports activities.

• Take the initiative – Poles appreciate openness, even if they seem reserved initially.

• Be patient; building relationships in a new country takes time.

🌍 What about you? What are your experiences with making friends in Poland? Do you have favorite spots for socializing?