A growing number of Polish citizens are leaving Germany to return to their homeland, reversing historic migration patterns, according to a report by German broadcaster Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (RBB) cited by Interia Biznes on July 26, 2026.
German media highlight rising living costs, heavy bureaucracy, and expanding career prospects in Poland as key drivers.
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The shift could affect the German labor market, especially sectors reliant on Polish workers.
A 44-year-old former court translator from Berlin who moved to Szczecin cited economic stagnation and administrative delays, such as waiting two months for a death certificate, as reasons for her decision.
"I have the impression that Germany is standing still.
It has reached a level of 'it's good as it is, we don't need to introduce or change anything,'" she told RBB.
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Younger professionals also see promise in Poland's economy.
A 25-year-old German-born lawyer chose to start his career in Warsaw, noting that while German salaries are higher, the gap is narrowing as living standards in Poland improve.
Business owners in eastern Germany are feeling the loss.
A logistics entrepreneur in Brandenburg lost two Polish employees recently; one said he earns nearly the same net pay back in Poland.
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A Polish truck driver who lived in Germany for a decade reported that despite earning about 2,500 euros per month, rising rent and expenses leave him with less savings each year.
