This document discusses the new wave of Polish immigration to Norway that began around 2010. The first major wave occurred after Poland joined the EU in 2004, with Poles working temporarily in construction and other industries. The new wave is driven by economic problems in Poland like high unemployment, particularly among youth. Polish immigrants are now more interested in education, careers, and social security in Norway. While incomes remain a big motivation, Poles are increasingly seeking permanent residence and working in sectors like education and healthcare. However, challenges like language barriers and cultural integration remain.

1. Destination Norway.
A new wave of immigration.
BORYS BOROWSKI
POLISH CONNECTION

2. What is the new wave of
immigration?
 The second significant outflow of immigrants from Poland to Norway and
other countries (UK, Germany, The Netherlands etc.), after the first wave of
immigration,
 First major wave of immigration (2004-2008) associated with the Polish
accession to the European Union,
 In 2006 Poles were the sixth largest group of immigrants in Norway and the
non-stopping, rapid increase of their number resulted in taking first place in
this category in 2008,
 The new wave of immigration started in around 2010 and it is anticipated
that it can take up to 10 years

3. Immigration after 2004
 Increased interest in migration from Poland to Norway as a result of
simplifications and opportunities given by Poland’s accession to the EU,
 The most common motivation – opportunity to obtain incomparably higher
earnings than in Poland and avoiding unemployment which was at a very
high rate in Poland in the period 2004-2007 (2004 – 20,6%),
 The majority of immigrants - low-skilled workers hired for temporary
jobs, especially in the building and construction sector,
 A tendency to work temporarily in Norway and leave in order to come back
to Poland

4. New wave of immigration as a
result of economic problems in
Poland
 The new wave of immigration comes after a short period of stability on the
labor market and lower unemployment rate in Poland despite the
economical crisis in the period 2007-2009,
 The years 2010-2013 bring a large increase of the unemployment rate, with
a particularly high unemployment rate among young people under the age
of 30 (up to 30% unemployment rate),
 A crisis in the Polish shipbuilding industry

5. New wave of immigration – new
motivations
 The economic aspect - still very important,
 Desire to live at a high level,
 Studying in Norway and obtaining higher education there,
 Willingness to fulfill one’s professional aspirations based on education
obtained either in Poland or in Norway,
 Living in a country where the social system guarantees security and stability
 Tendency to plan a permanent residence in Norway

6. Three pillars of Norway’s
attractiveness for Polish immigrants
HIGH
INCOMES
CHANCE
FOR A
GOOD
EDUCATION
AND JOB
SOCIAL
SECURITY

7. HIGH INCOMES
• Average income in Norway are incomparably higher than in Poland despite
very high costs of living,
• Holiday pay as an additional income which does not exist in Poland,
• Tax regulations which give an opportunity for receiving extra money as a
result of tax deductions (applies most of all to temporary immigrants whose
families live in Poland),
• Additional income from social benefits,
• Hourly rates in certain industries (building and
construction, shipbuilding, cleaning) protected by collective agreements

8. CHANCE FOR A GOOD
EDUCATION AND JOB
 Obtaining education in Norway gives a better opportunity to find an ideal
job in comparison to Poland,
 A low risk of long-term unemployment after graduation in comparison to
Poland

9. SOCIAL SECURITY
 Unemployment benefit ensuring income for a long time in the event of job
loss,
 Family related benefits (parental benefit, child benefit, cash benefit, etc.),
 Benefits ensuring income in case of both short-term and long-term sickness
( sickness benefit, work assessment allowance, disability pension etc.)
 Retirement pension which allows maintaining a high standard of living

10. New immigrants – new industries
 Poles are still mostly represented in the building and construction, physical
work and cleaning industries,
 New wave of immigration – large number of Polish highly educated
immigrants working in sectors such as education, health services, legal
services, offices etc.,
 Increased interest in running business in Norway

11. New immigrants – old problems
 Poor knowledge of the Norwegian language and legislation,
 Problems with Norwegian institutions (Skatteetaten, NAV, UDI etc.),
 Problems with cultural integration,
 Issues with employers (social dumping, unpaid salaries etc.),
 Temporary immigrants – difficulties related to living far away from families,
 Competition on the labor market

12. Poles’ expectations towards the
Norwegian state
 Effective and simplified contact with Norwegian public administration,
 Securing employees’ rights by the competent authorities,
 Taking actions aimed at improving the integration of Poles with the
Norwegian society,
 Taking measures leading to equal opportunities for Poles in the labor market

13. Thank you very much for your
attention!
Borys Borowski
borys@polishconnection.no
Tel. +48 733 639 333