Why do Georgians choose Poland as their migration destination in the 21st century?
Relations between Poland and Georgia have always been strong but have often been subject to historical oversight. However, recent years have witnessed increasing acknowledgement of these bonds, with connections only set to grow in the future.
October 28, 2025 -
Omiko Ejibia
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Articles and Commentary
Flags of Poland and Georgia. Photo: Shutterstock
Georgians and Poles have maintained a warm and positive relationship for a long time that runs deep. For over two centuries, these two nations have shared something profound: a struggle for independence and freedom that has bound them together in ways that extend beyond simple diplomatic ties. Accordingly, both countries and nations have faced the looming threat of Russian imperialism, which did not just threaten their homelands’ borders but struck at the very heart of their national identities and led to forced assimilation.
The story of migration between these countries actually begins much earlier than most people realize. After the failed Kościuszko Uprising in 1794, Polish prisoners of war found themselves shipped off to the Caucasus by the Russian Empire. Some eventually made their way to Georgia. Since then, two main reasons have prompted Poles to move to Georgia or be forced to do so: wars and economic matters. Regarding wars, when Napoleon fell and the Russians gained the upper hand, those Polish soldiers and officials who had backed the French emperor were essentially exiled to the Caucasus. What is interesting is that not all Poles came to Georgia as prisoners or exiles. Many served as officers in the Russian imperial army, defending the Caucasus against Persian and Ottoman threats, while others took on administrative roles. Then, starting in the 1840s, we see a completely different kind of migration – Polish professionals seeking opportunities mainly as labour migrants. Engineers, doctors, artists, musicians and teachers at that time all saw Georgia as a place where they could build something.
The repatriation of Poles from Georgia to Poland began after the 1917 revolution in the Russian Empire and continued into the 1920s. But what about Georgian migration to Poland? That was still pretty limited. The First Republic of Georgia (1918-1921) was fighting for its very survival — there simply was not much opportunity for people to think about moving abroad. Sure, some Georgian students and intellectuals made their way to Poland, but we are talking about small numbers here. In 1920, a Polish consulate was operating in Tbilisi and Georgian Poles were involved in political, military and cultural activities. Poland’s growing democratic structure and its historical ties to European intellectual, cultural and political movements made it an appealing destination for these individuals. It is noteworthy that the second head of the government of the First Republic of Georgia, Noe Zhordania, studied at the Warsaw Veterinary Institute back in 1891. Everything changed when the Soviets occupied Georgia. Suddenly, we see the first major wave of Georgian emigration to Poland, with many Georgian emigrants actually joining the Polish army to fight against both Nazi and Soviet forces. It is a remarkable example of how shared struggle can create lasting bonds.
Georgia was under Soviet occupation for almost 70 years, and Poland for 50 years. However, Poland managed to develop institutions during its 20 years of independence, which, like the Baltic states, significantly contributed to Poland’s advancement compared to other post-Soviet countries after the restoration of its independence. With the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Georgia declared independence, and Poland began its transition away from communist rule, achieving full membership of the European Union in 2004. After Georgia also set itself the goal of joining the Euro-Atlantic space, Poland became one of the leading countries that actively supported and continues to support the country in this process. Poland’s accession to the European Union in 2004 marked an important moment in migration from Georgia. Labour migration increased significantly as Poland’s expanding economy created demand for foreign workers in sectors such as construction, agriculture and hospitality. Polish labour market reforms and favourable visa policies attracted many Georgians seeking better economic prospects.
The 1990s were brutal for Georgia. Economic collapse, political chaos, and those devastating civil wars in Abkhazia and Samachablo (i.e. South Ossetia) drove many Georgians to look for opportunities elsewhere. Some chose Poland, though initially the numbers were small. What they found was a country that understood their situation. After all, Poland had been through its own struggles with foreign domination.
Poland’s EU accession in 2004 was the real turning point. The Polish economy was booming, and suddenly there was real demand for foreign workers in construction, agriculture and hospitality. Polish labour laws became more favourable and visa policies more welcoming – it was an opportunity that many Georgians could not pass up.
By the mid-2010s, we could really see the Georgian community in Poland taking shape. People were not just coming for jobs anymore; they were coming for better living standards, higher wages, and better educational opportunities.
Compared to other European destinations, several factors make Poland stand out. Other popular destinations of emigration for Georgians have included Russia, Spain, Greece, Italy, France and Germany. However, Poland’s historical and cultural proximity to Georgia, along with its EU membership, made it an increasingly attractive choice after the 2000s. The western and southern EU countries have all attracted Georgian migrants but Poland offers something unique. While Western and Southern European countries are dealing with massive immigration from all over the world – especially the Middle East and North Africa – Poland’s immigration landscape has been different. Most migrants to Poland have come from other post-Soviet countries: Ukraine, Belarus, Russia and yes, Georgia. This means Georgian immigrants are not competing in the same crowded field, and Polish immigration policy has generally been more welcoming to people from former Soviet republics. There is also the practical side of things. Compared to Western Europe, Poland’s bureaucratic processes are relatively straightforward. For many Georgians, Poland became not just a destination but a stepping stone – a way to get into the EU system before potentially moving on to other countries. This strategy became especially popular around 2017 when Georgia signed the visa liberalization agreement with the EU, allowing short-term stays of three to six months.
As for Russia, sure, it has always been a major destination because of historical ties and the simple fact that it is easier to get there. But we need to be honest – relations between Georgia and Russia have been terrible, especially after the mass deportations of Georgians in 2006 and the war in 2008. Many Georgians who might have once considered Russia started looking elsewhere.
We do not underestimate the role of conflict refugees either. The wars in Abkhazia and Samachablo did not just displace people within Georgia – they drove many to seek safety abroad.
In this context, Poland has been a preferred destination owing to its combination of safety, economic opportunities, low levels of crime and corruption, open labour markets, and favourable immigration policies for non-EU countries. Additionally, Poland’s relatively simpler bureaucratic processes compared to Western Europe have made it easier for Georgian migrants to settle and establish themselves. Before reaching a visa liberalization agreement with the EU for Georgia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were the countries that issued the most visas to Georgian citizens among the EU countries.
Some key factors contributed to migration from Georgia to Poland:
- Economic opportunities: following the collapse of communism, Poland experienced rapid economic growth and transformation, making it attractive to workers from post-Soviet countries, including Georgia. The demand for labour, particularly in sectors like construction, hospitality and agriculture, created jobs for many Georgians.
- Visa and immigration policies: Poland’s relatively open visa policies in the 1990s and early 2000s facilitated migration from former Soviet republics. Although Poland was not yet a member of the European Union, it was integrated into the broader European economic framework, making it a strategic entry point. Many Georgians chose Poland as a first destination, using it as a transfer point to enter the EU and move on to Southern or Western European countries. This strategy was especially relevant before Georgia signed the visa liberalization agreement with the EU in 2017, which also encouraged migration from Georgia to Poland for short stays of three to six months.
Once Georgian communities started forming in Poland, they became self-sustaining. These networks are incredibly important as they help newcomers navigate Polish society, find jobs, and understand local bureaucracy. Over time, the Georgian diaspora has expanded, establishing cultural, social and economic ties that sustain ongoing migration. Georgian businesses and cultural institutions, such as restaurants, language schools, and community centres, serve as hubs for integration. In addition, many mixed families were created in which one of the couples was Georgian and the other Polish.
The Georgian government also promoted these migration flows through bilateral agreements with Poland (the first agreement was made in 2006 and the new one in 2021), especially in the fields of labour migration and higher education. Polish universities increasingly attract Georgian students, further strengthening the relationship between the two nations. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing war, migration from Ukraine to Poland has surged. Consequently, many Georgians now prefer not to migrate to Poland, as finding employment has become more challenging. Moreover, many bakeries operated by Georgians in Ukraine have relocated to Poland, but now often have no Georgian staff and are no longer owned by Georgians.
Currently, there are officially over 10,000 Georgians living in Poland. Most are labour migrants working in factories, construction, or the service sector. Many visit Poland annually for educational purposes, with numerous Polish universities having direct agreements with Georgian institutions. Additionally, direct flights from Georgia to Polish cities like Warsaw, Wroclaw, Poznan and Katowice facilitate tourism and direct access to EU countries. Many Georgians also visit Poland as tourists.
When we step back and look at why Georgians choose Poland in the 21st century, it comes down to a combination of factors that you do not find elsewhere: shared historical experiences, practical immigration policies that favour post-Soviet migrants, genuine economic opportunities, and perhaps most importantly, a sense that Poles understand what Georgians have been through. In a world where migration can feel impersonal and unwelcoming, that understanding matters more than we might think.
Omiko Ejibia has a Phd in History and is Assistant Professor at Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, and Laureate of the 2025 Tytus Filipowicz Award. His main research topics include the history of the Caucasus, Georgia, and the Middle East, as well as the relations between the Middle East and the West in modern and contemporary times. He also studies medieval Arab-Muslim geographical and historical literature related to the Caucasus and Eastern Europe.
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