Practical information for students
Arrival to Poznań
Orientation Day and University registration
Registration at the City Hall and Residence Card
Health and insurance
Food Services at PUE
Cost of living
PUE library and online databases
Getting to Poznań by plane
The Poznań airport, called Ławica, offers connections to major European airports, which enable further connections to airports throughout the world. The airport offeres flights operated by traditional airlines - LOT Polish Airlines, SAS, Lufthansa, British Airways, Jet Air and low cost airlines - Ryanair, WizzAir, Central Wings and Aer Lingus. The airport is 7 km outside the city centre. After arrival you can order a taxi at a Radio Taxi stand. You can also get into the city centre by buses number 59, an express bus “L” (requires double fare) and a night bus 242.
The list of destination airports and other information can be found at the airport website: www.airport-poznan.com.pl/en
Getting to Poznań by train and by coach
Poznań's main railway station is located in the centre of the city. There are direct International trains to Amsterdam, Berlin, Dortmund, Frankfurt, Hannover, Kiev, Mannheim and Moscow as well as domestic connections to Warsaw and all Polish cities. InterCity trains offer faster connections and greater service than the regular trains. It takes approximately 3-hour to travel to Berlin and 3 1/2-hour to get to Warsaw by an InterCity train. After arrival to Poznań's train station you can order a taxi at a Radio Taxi stand or use the public transportation system. The main railway station is located within 10 min walk from the Poznań University of Economics. Next to the train station there is the city's main coach station which offers coach lines to major European cities.
Trains time-table in English is available at:
http://rozklad-pkp.pl
Getting to Poznań by car
An international road, the A2, provides direct travel to the European motorway network. Most roads are two-lane. In normal conditions, it is 4 hours by car from Poznań to Berlin. Except for a few stretches, motorways are largely non-existent in Poland. Construction on the new A2 highway connection to Poland’s western border and of the Poznań bypass has been started but this project will take several years to complete.
Driver's licenses issued by other EU member states are recognized by Poland and remain valid until the expiry date indicated in the document. While driving in Poland you are obliged to have with you a driver's license, a civil liability insurance and the vehicle registration certificate. Using a mobile phone while driving is banned, though a loud-speaking phone system is permitted. Seat belts must be used in both front and back seats. The children up to the age of 12 and up to 150 cm tall have to use special certified seats.
Speed limits:
town - 50 km/h
open road - 90 km/h
highway - 110 km/h
motorway - 130 km/h
with trailer - 70 km/h (on highways - 80 km/h)
Drivers have to use day lights at all times. Front fog lights may be used only during fog or heavy rain. Rear fog lights may be used only when visibility is under 50 meters. The vehicle has to be marked with a sign indicating the country of its registration and should be equipped with a reflector triangle. Radar-warning systems are banned. Driving after drinking alcohol is strictly forbidden.
Orientation Day and University registration
Exchange students begin their semester at the University with an Orientation Day. During that day the students are registered and receive all the vital information concerning their studies at the Poznań University of Economics and living in Poznań. The students also receive a student card (legitymacja) which is a proof of student status and entitles to discounts on public transportation and entrance tickets in many places (cinemas, theatres, museums, ect.). The Orientation Day is usually accompanied by a social programme organised by students from ESN.
Registration at the City Hall and Residence Card
Registration
All foreigners are required to register within 3 days from their arrival date. The registration is free of charge. You can get an application form from the hall of residence with the confirmation that you are staying there. If you are not staying at University's accommodation you will need to bring with you your rental contract with you (or come with the person who rents or owns the flat or the house).
You should register at:
The Office for Citizens Affairs of the City Hall (Wydział Spraw Obywatelskich, Urząd Miasta), address: ul. Libelta 16/20
Office is open:
Monday, Thursday 8.00 – 17.00
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 7.30 – 15.30
EU citizen registration
Students from EU-countries do not need a visa to study in Poland. If the student’s stay in Poland is longer than three months then they are required to apply for an EU citizen registration. Students who wish to do an internship in Poland or enter other kind of employment are obliged to apply for this registration.
To apply you should submit the following:
- a complited and signed application form (4 copies)
- 4 copies of passport or identity card
- a confirmation letter in Polish from the PUE (available on request)
- a copy of a heath insurance document (EHIC or other)
- 4 copies of the card from the hall of residence (Karta Mieszkańca) or the rental contract of a private flat
You should submit the documents personally within 3 months form your arrival.
You should also have your passport or an other identity document with you.
Registrations are conducted by the Department for Foreigners of the Voivodship Office:
Urząd Wojewódzki - Oddział ds. Cudzoziemców
Plac Wolności 17, 4 floor, room no 8
Monday 9.30 – 18.00
Tue- Fri 8.15 – 15.15
Visa and residence permit (for non-EU citizens)
Non-EU students coming to Poland are required to obtain a visa in their home country from a Polish embassy or a consulate. The visa should be issued for the whole period of your stay. It is not possible to extend the visa in Poland. For more information about obtaining the visa contact the Polish diplomatic and consular establishment in your country.
Polish Embassies and Consulates in the World
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
If your visa expires before the end of your stay in Poland you should apply for a temporary residence permit (zezwolenie na pobyt tymczasowy). It is mandatory to do it at least 45 days before your visa expires at:
Department for Foreigners of the Voivodship Office:
Urząd Wojewódzki - Oddział ds. Cudzoziemców
Plac Wolności 17, 4th floor, room 8
Monday 9.30 – 18.00
Tue- Fri 8.15 – 15.15
To apply for this permit you should submit the following:
- an application form (4 copies)
- 4 copies of passport (page with photo) and 1 copy of visa (ot the stamp from the Border Security)
- a confirmation document that you study at the PUE
- a confirmation of a health insurance
- a proof of financial support to cover the costs of living in Poland (e.g. a bank statement with the history for last 3 months or grant confirmation, etc.)
- the confirmation of the registration of stay at the City Hall office (above)
- 4 copies of the card from the hall of residence (Karta Mieszkańca) or the rental contract of a private flat
- 5 pictures, 45 mm x 35 mm
- application fee 340 PLN
You should also have your passport with you. There is also a fee for the permit 50 PLN which you will have to pay upon receiving it.
Students from EU-countries should bring the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) form from their home country which entitles to free medical services in public medical centres in Poland. Non-EU citizens have to cover the costs of the medical care and then can get the refund of the payment from their insurance company.
All international students are advised to get an accident insurance which should be arranged with their own insurance agencies before arrival to Poland.
There are three student cafeterias in the University: in the basement of Building A, on the ground floor in Building B (entrance from the backyard) and in Altum on the first floor. They serve a variety of hot and cold meals and drinks. There is also a coffee shop on the 9th floor of Altum.
The average monthly cost of living for a student varies from 1,000 to 2,000 PLN and depends on the type of accommodation and the expenditures for leisure.
Current Euro exchange rate (January 2011):
1 Euro = 3.9 PLN
Library and online databases
Library is located in Collegium Altum – books on 2nd floor, periodicals on 3rd floor
Mon- Fri 8.00 – 20.00; Sat 8.00 – 16.00; Sun 8.00 – 15.00
Library online training in English is available at:
www.biblioteka.ue.poznan.pl
The PUE Library provides access to international full-text article databases such as Academic Search Complete, Business Source Complete, MasterFILE Premier and other. You can access them online from any computer connected to the PUE network (also through the WiFi).