Poles returning home from abroad more and more often
Poland is seeing a significant reversal in migration trends as more people return from abroad and fewer choose to emigrate. In 2025, 83,700 people moved from Germany to Poland, while 66,800 went the other way, producing a net gain of nearly 17,000 for Poland. Similar trends are emerging with the UK, Netherlands, Austria and Belgium. Poland’s permanent-migration balance also reached a record 10,900 in 2025. The shift reflects two decades of strong economic growth, rising wages and very low unemployment.
Poland’s GDP per capita, adjusted for purchasing power, rose from 52% of the EU average in 2005 to 79% in 2024. Family ties, lower living costs and improved quality of life are also encouraging returns.
(pb.pl)
