POLAND HANDBOOK Military Family Services Europe / MFS(E) Riga-Remote Team [email protected] www.cafconnection.ca / www.connexionfac.ca Date published: 01 June 2019 Date revised: 15 March 2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS GREETINGS FROM YOUR MFS(E) TEAM ....................... 1 European Advisory Committee .......................................................................... 3 Using This Guide ............................................................................................. 3 SOME HELPFUL RESOURCES ....................................... 1 OVERVIEW OF (PLACE) .............................................. 2 Maps ............................................................................................................. 2 Geography/Politics .......................................................................................... 3 Climate ......................................................................................................... 3 Languages ..................................................................................................... 3 Religion ......................................................................................................... 4 Cost of Living ................................................................................................. 4 Canadian/Expat Community ............................................................................. 5 Cultural Nuances, Etiquette and Traditions ......................................................... 6 Public Holidays ............................................................................................... 7 News ............................................................................................................. 8 BEFORE YOU COME ..................................................... 9 EMERGENCY INFORMATION ..................................... 10 Public Safety and Security .............................................................................. 10 Emergency Contacts ...................................................................................... 11 GETTING SETTLED .................................................... 13 Making Phone Calls ....................................................................................... 13 Date published: 01 June 2019 Date revised: 15 March 2020 Calling Within Europe .............................................................................. 13 Calling Outside of Poland ......................................................................... 13 Calling Canada from Poland ..................................................................... 13 Calling Poland from Canada ..................................................................... 13 Some Country Codes: ............................................................................. 14 Summary: ............................................................................................. 14 Toll Free and Charges for Calls ................................................................. 14 Where to Live ............................................................................................... 15 Houses and Realtors ...................................................................................... 16 BASE INFORMATION ................................................ 18 Exchange/Commissary .................................................................................. 18 TRAVEL & TRANSPORTATION ................................... 20 Subsidized Travel .......................................................................................... 20 NON-UNIT Fund and CANEX/SISIP Grant .......................................................... 20 Air Travel ..................................................................................................... 20 Public Transit ............................................................................................... 21 Train ........................................................................................................... 22 Taxis ........................................................................................................... 24 Car Rental ................................................................................................... 25 Hotels ......................................................................................................... 25 Travel Advisories .......................................................................................... 27 ADMINISTRATION .................................................... 28 Banking ....................................................................................................... 28 Online Banking Payments – IBANs, BICs, and TANs .................................... 28 Money Transfer ...................................................................................... 29 Insurance .................................................................................................... 29 CRA and Residency Status for Spouses/Dependents ........................................... 29 Child Benefits ............................................................................................... 31 Pets ............................................................................................................ 33 POSTAL SERVICES .................................................... 34 Personal Mail ................................................................................................ 34 Canadian Forces Post Office ..................................................................... 34 Polish Postal Services .............................................................................. 35 HEALTH SERVICES ................................................... 36 General ....................................................................................................... 36 Emergency Numbers ..................................................................................... 37 Hospitals ..................................................................................................... 37 Private Clinics ............................................................................................... 41 Pharmaceutical Services ................................................................................ 42 Dental Clinics ............................................................................................... 42 Social Services ............................................................................................. 42 Social Worker ........................................................................................ 43 Padre .................................................................................................... 43 CAF Member Assistance Program .............................................................. 43 Family Information Line .......................................................................... 43 Local Resources ..................................................................................... 44 A. A. Meetings ....................................................................................... 44 Great West Life / Allianz ................................................................................ 44 Dental Claims ........................................................................................ 44 Medical Claims ....................................................................................... 44 ON THE ROAD ........................................................... 45 General ....................................................................................................... 45 Driver’s Licence ............................................................................................ 45 Information on Driver’s Licence in Canada and Renewal ..................................... 46 Car Insurance ............................................................................................... 50 Vehicle Registration ....................................................................................... 52 Emission Sticker ........................................................................................... 52 European Green Zones ............................................................................ 52 Fuel Card ..................................................................................................... 53 Items in Your Car .......................................................................................... 53 Biking/Mopeds/Motorcycles ............................................................................ 53 Bicycles ................................................................................................ 53 Parking ........................................................................................................ 54 Tolls ............................................................................................................ 55 Rest Stops ................................................................................................... 55 Speed Cameras ...................................................................................... 55 Safety Belts and Child Seats ........................................................................... 55 Winter Tires ................................................................................................. 56 Roadside Assistance .....................................................................................