No future in Germany? Why skilled Polish workers are going home | DW Documentary

Summary

For the first time in more than 35 years, more Poles are returning to Poland than moving to Germany. The documentary explores why Germany is losing appeal for some Polish workers—and what their departure means for German employers.

The people featured describe a reversal in how they view the two countries. They say Poland has become more economically dynamic and digitally convenient, while Germany feels increasingly expensive and weighed down by bureaucracy. Kamila Gierko, who moved from Berlin to Szczecin after spending most of her life in Germany, points to high housing and social costs, difficulty getting appointments and completing administrative tasks, and everyday services that she finds less digitized. In Poland, she says, even small purchases and routine medical prescriptions can be handled digitally. She and her husband now hope to buy a home there.

The shift is creating staffing problems for German logistics companies. Michael Sünkler, who runs a transport and logistics firm in Brandenburg, says Polish employees make up over half of his workforce and are essential to the sector. Two valued workers have left, and the company is struggling to recruit qualified replacements. He recognizes that workers may find similar net pay in Poland while spending less on living costs and commuting.

The documentary also shows how rising expenses are affecting workers who remain in Germany. Truck driver Tomasz Moczadło says his wages no longer go as far as they once did: rent and other costs leave him with less to save. He plans to return to Poland with his family after his daughter finishes school, citing family ties and the availability of work there.

For law graduate Philip Panek, family and career prospects have tipped the balance. Though he grew up in Germany and initially expected to build his career there, he sees opportunities in Poland and wants to live closer to his parents, who have returned. He sought work in Polish law firms and ultimately began working at a firm in Warsaw after a training opportunity in Poznań fell through.

Poland is also offering incentives to attract workers back. The programme discusses a tax exemption for some returning residents—up to €20,000 of income tax-free for four years for people who meet the conditions—and a separate policy, due to take effect in 2026, that will exempt eligible families with two children and annual income up to the equivalent of €33,000 from income tax. Overall, the accounts suggest that changing pay comparisons, lower costs, improved services, and family connections are drawing people back, while Germany’s reliance on Polish workers makes the trend an economic concern.

Presenters and Contributors

No presenter is identified in the subtitles. Featured contributors include Kamila Gierko, Michael Sünkler, Tomasz Moczadło, Philip Panek, Aleksandra Panek, and Anna, a colleague at Sünkler’s company.