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Ein Leitfaden für deutsche Familien, die nach Polen ziehen. Grüß Gott, Kraków!)
Relocating from Germany to Poland is less of a leap into the unknown and more of a step into a familiar yet excitingly different neighbour. Whether you are moving from Berlin, Munich, or Frankfurt, you will find that Kraków offers a blend of historical grandeur and modern dynamism that feels instantly welcoming.
With major German employers like Lufthansa, Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Heineken (offering business services), and various automotive and tech giants maintaining a strong presence here, the professional transition is often seamless. However, for families, the move brings up specific questions about culture, daily life, and crucially education.
Here is your essential guide to making Kraków your new Zuhause, ensuring a smooth transition for your career and your children’s future.
Cultural Connections: Nachbarn with Shared Values
Germany and Poland share a deep, albeit complex, historical bond. Today, this relationship is defined by close economic ties and shared European values. You will find that the Polish appreciation for Ordnung (order) and Pünktlichkeit(punctuality) in professional settings is quite similar to what you are used to back home.
However, Kraków adds a layer of relaxed, café-culture charm that might remind you more of Vienna or Italian piazzas.
- Festivals and Traditions: You won’t have to miss out on the magic of a Weihnachtsmarkt. Kraków’s Christmas Market on the Main Square (Rynek Główny) is legendary, rivalling even the best markets in Nuremberg or Dresden. Similarly, traditions like Easter baskets (Święconka) are celebrated with a fervour that feels deeply familiar.
- Language: While Polish is a Slavic language, you will be surprised by how many people in Kraków speak excellent German, a testament to the strong historical and economic links between our regions.
The Education Question: Abitur vs. A-Levels
For German parents, the Abitur is the gold standard. A common concern when moving abroad is whether an international education will allow your child to return to the German university system (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung).
Embassy International School in Kraków offers the British Curriculum (A-Levels), which is an excellent alternative to the German system for several reasons:
- Depth and Focus: Unlike the broad Abitur, where students must cover a wide range of subjects until the end, A-Levels allow students (aged 16-18) to specialise in 3 or 4 subjects they are truly passionate about. This “depth over breadth” approach fosters profound subject mastery.
- German University Recognition: The Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife (general university entrance qualification) can be obtained via A-Levels. German universities widely recognise A-Levels, provided specific subject combinations are chosen (usually a language, a math/science, and a general subject).
- Native German Programme: A major fear for expat families is their children losing their mother tongue. Embassy International School addresses this with a dedicated Native German Programme. This ensures your child keeps their German language skills at a native academic level, keeping the door wide open for a return to Germany or Austria for university.
Why move to Poland from Germany? Professional Life in the “Silicon Valley of the East”
Kraków is a powerhouse for Business Services (BSS) and IT. If you are relocating for a management or specialist role, you will likely find yourself in a modern, English-speaking office environment. The work culture here blends Polish ambition with Western corporate standards.
For your partner, finding work is also promising. German speakers are in high demand across the city’s corporate sector, often commanding a salary premium due to their language skills.
Lifestyle: Green Spaces and “Gemütlichkeit”
Kraków is incredibly green. Neighborhoods like Wola Justowska or areas near Błonia Park offer the kind of leafy, family-friendly environment that rivals the best suburbs of Hamburg or Berlin.
- Cost of Living: While prices in Poland are rising, the cost of living remains significantly lower than in Germany. Rent, dining out, and services like childcare are more affordable, allowing for a high quality of life.
- Travel: You are never far from home. Direct flights connect Kraków to Frankfurt, Munich, Dortmund, and Berlin. Plus, the A4 motorway makes driving back to Germany for a long weekend entirely feasible.
A Community That Understands You
Germany is Poland’s largest trading partner, and the German community in Kraków is well-established. You will find German-speaking doctors, lawyers, and social groups easily.
But integration goes beyond just finding other Germans. It’s about finding a school that acts as a community hub. Schools like Embassy International School champion a philosophy of close partnership with parents, ensuring that your family’s specific cultural needs and educational anxieties are understood and supported.
Moving to Poland from Germany
Moving to Poland from Germany is an opportunity to give your children a global perspective without severing their roots. By choosing a school that honours their native language while providing a world-class British education, you are preparing them for success in Germany, the UK, and beyond.
Willkommen in Krakau! We look forward to welcoming you to our vibrant community.