Poland sees major shift in migration as citizens return from Germany and Netherlands

Poland is experiencing a significant shift in migration patterns, transitioning from a country of mass emigration to one with mixed migration characteristics. According to a report by the Warsaw Enterprise Institute, the number of Polish citizens living abroad has decreased from 2.5 million in 2017 to 1.5 million in 2024.

A historic milestone was reached in migration relations with Germany. In 2024, data from the Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis) showed that 90,807 people moved from Germany to Poland, while 82,082 moved from Poland to Germany, marking the first time since 2000 that the balance has tilted in Poland's favor.

Similar trends are appearing in the Netherlands. Data from the CBS indicates that in the first half of 2026, more Poles left the Netherlands than settled there, reversing a positive migration balance seen just two years prior. Potential drivers for these returns include rising living and housing costs in Western Europe, alongside improving wages and living conditions within Poland.