Making Friends in Poland: Expat Social Guide 2026
Introduction
Moving to a new country is exciting, but the social side can be one of the hardest parts to get right. Poland is a wonderful place to live, but many expats find that building genuine friendships takes more effort than expected, especially outside of student environments.
The good news is that Poland's international community has grown enormously in recent years. Warsaw, Krakow, and Wroclaw all have thriving expat scenes with regular events, meetups, and social groups. With the right approach, you can build a fulfilling social life within a few months.
This guide covers everything from online platforms and in-person events to understanding Polish social culture, plus how your living situation, whether flatsharing or co-living, can be your fastest path to meaningful connections.
Why Making Friends Can Be Hard at First
It is important to understand why socializing in Poland can feel challenging initially, so you do not take it personally. Several factors are at play.
First, Polish people tend to form deep, long-lasting friendships rather than casual acquaintanceships. Many Poles have had the same close friend group since childhood or university. This means they may seem reserved or uninterested at first, but once you break through, Polish friendships are incredibly loyal and genuine.
Second, the language barrier is real. While younger Poles speak excellent English, especially in major cities, social settings often default to Polish. This can make group conversations difficult for newcomers.
Third, if you are working remotely or freelancing, you lack the built-in social structure that a traditional office provides. This is where proactive effort makes all the difference.
Meetup Groups and Apps
Organized meetups are the easiest entry point for building a social circle in Poland. Several platforms host regular events across Polish cities.
Meetup.com
Meetup.com is by far the most active platform for social events in Poland. In Warsaw alone, there are hundreds of active groups covering everything from tech talks and hiking to board games and language exchanges. Popular groups include Warsaw Social, Krakow International Community, and Wroclaw Expats. Most events are free or charge a small fee (10-20 PLN) for venue costs.
InterNations
InterNations is a global expat network with active chapters in Warsaw, Krakow, and Wroclaw. Events tend to be more polished, often held at restaurants or bars, and attract a professional crowd. Basic membership is free, but the premium Albatross membership (around 100 EUR/year) unlocks more networking features and exclusive events.
Couchsurfing Hangouts
Even if you are not actually couchsurfing, the Couchsurfing app's Hangouts feature is a great way to meet travelers and locals who are open to spontaneous meetups. The community tends to be more adventurous and open-minded.
Tandem and HelloTalk
Language exchange apps like Tandem and HelloTalk pair you with Polish speakers who want to practice your native language. These one-on-one conversations often develop into genuine friendships, and they are an excellent way to learn Polish at the same time.
Sports Clubs and Fitness Groups
Sports are one of the fastest ways to make friends in any country, and Poland is no exception. Physical activity creates natural bonding, and regular practice schedules mean you see the same people consistently.
Running groups are popular across all Polish cities. Warsaw has Biegam Bo Lubie and parkrun events every Saturday. Krakow and Wroclaw have their own parkrun communities and trail running clubs. Football (soccer) is hugely popular, and many cities have casual pickup games organized through Facebook groups or Meetup.
Climbing gyms have exploded in popularity. Spaces like Hangar in Warsaw, Krokiem in Krakow, and Maupa in Wroclaw all have welcoming communities. Martial arts, yoga, and CrossFit gyms also tend to attract international members.
Multi-sport cards like MultiSport (around 150-200 PLN/month) give you access to hundreds of gyms, pools, and fitness classes. Many employers include this as a benefit.
Language Exchange Events
Language exchanges are social events where people practice speaking different languages in a relaxed, usually bar-based setting. They are specifically designed for meeting new people, which removes the awkwardness of approaching strangers.
In Warsaw, popular events include Polyglot Cafe (held weekly at various locations), Language Exchange Warsaw, and JezykiObiEgo. Krakow has Krakow Language Exchange and Babel Cafe. Wroclaw has Wroclaw Language Exchange and Speak Easy events.
These events typically rotate between languages in 15-20 minute blocks. You do not need to speak Polish to attend. English is always one of the featured languages, and you will meet Poles eager to practice their English.
Expat Communities by City
Each of Poland's major cities has a distinct expat community character.
Warsaw
Warsaw has the largest and most diverse international community. Expats come for corporate jobs, startups, embassies, and NGOs. The scene is spread across neighborhoods, with Mokotow, Wola, and Srodmiescie being social hubs. Facebook groups like Expats in Warsaw (30,000+ members) and Warsaw Social are very active. The city feels truly cosmopolitan. Find flatmates in Warsaw to build your social base.
Krakow
Krakow's expat community is more compact and tight-knit. The city's walkable center means you bump into the same people regularly. There is a large student population (Jagiellonian University, AGH) that keeps the social scene young and energetic. Kazimierz is the heart of social life. Check out Krakow flatmate listings.
Wroclaw
Wroclaw has a growing international community driven by the IT sector and universities. The scene is smaller but very welcoming. The city's compact layout and beautiful old town make it easy to create a sense of belonging. Nadodrze and the area around Rynek are social hotspots.
Volunteering
Volunteering is an underrated way to make meaningful connections. Working toward a shared purpose creates bonds faster than casual socializing, and it gives you a sense of contribution to your new community.
In Poland, opportunities include animal shelters (Schronisko na Paluchu in Warsaw), environmental organizations (WWF Poland, Greenpeace Poland), food banks (Bank Zywnosci), and cultural festivals. Many organizations welcome English-speaking volunteers.
Workaway and similar platforms also list volunteer opportunities in Poland that come with free accommodation, which can be a great way to try different cities before committing to one.
Your Flatmates as Your Social Network
Here is something many guides overlook: your living situation is probably the single biggest factor in your social life as an expat. Living alone in a studio apartment can be comfortable, but it also means you come home to silence every day.
Finding the right flatmates through Domkaspot's personality-based matching means living with people who share your interests, lifestyle, and social energy. Your flatmates become your default social circle: someone to cook dinner with, explore the city with, and introduce you to their own friends.
This is why co-living has become so popular with expats. Purpose-built co-living spaces organize community events, dinners, and outings. You move in and immediately have 10-30 potential friends under the same roof.
Even in a traditional flatshare, shared meals, movie nights, and weekend trips create the kind of low-effort social interaction that is hardest to find as a newcomer.
Understanding Polish Friendship Culture
Adjusting your expectations to Polish social norms will save you frustration and help you build more authentic relationships.
- Poles distinguish sharply between znajomy (acquaintance) and przyjaciel (true friend). Do not be discouraged if relationships feel surface-level at first
- Name days (imieniny) are celebrated as much as birthdays. Remembering someone's name day is a powerful gesture
- Poles are direct communicators. What might feel blunt is actually honesty and respect
- Inviting someone to your home is a significant step. If a Polish friend invites you over, it means they genuinely like you
- Bring a small gift when visiting someone's home: flowers, wine, or chocolates are standard
- Poles warm up significantly with alcohol. Social drinking culture is strong, though the younger generation is increasingly moderate
- Persistence matters. Keep showing up to the same events and groups. Familiarity builds trust
Seasonal Events and Festivals
Poland's calendar is packed with events that create natural social opportunities. In spring, look for Juwenalia (student festivals in May) and Easter celebrations. Summer brings music festivals like Open'er in Gdynia, Off Festival in Katowice, and Malta Festival in Poznan, plus outdoor cinema, food truck festivals, and street art events in every major city.
Autumn has cultural nights (Noc Kultury), restaurant weeks, and the start of the academic year when social groups reform. Winter brings Christmas markets (Jarmark Bozonarodzeniowy) in every city center, New Year's celebrations, and cozy bar culture.
Following local event pages on Facebook and Instagram is the best way to stay informed. City-specific accounts like Warsaw Local, Krakow Guide, and Visit Wroclaw post regular event roundups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start Building Your Social Life Today
Making friends in Poland is not about luck. It is about putting yourself in the right situations consistently. Join a meetup group this week, sign up for a language exchange, or try a new sport. And if you really want to accelerate your social life, consider your living situation.
Find compatible flatmates on Domkaspot and turn your home into the foundation of your social circle in Poland.
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