Borough Market in London: stalls and shoppers
Guide Poland → United Kingdom · community · checked 1 Nov 2026

The Polish community in the UK

Where Polish people live, where they meet, and how to keep a piece of home close.

Photo: Pexels
In numbers

How many Polish people live in the UK?

At the 2021 census, 743,000 people living in England and Wales were born in Poland. Only India counts more. Polish is also the most common main language after English.

743,000born in Poland
612,000Polish as main language
No. 2birth country after India
1.2%of England and Wales
579,000in 2011

Census 2021, England and Wales (ONS). Scotland and Northern Ireland count separately.

Where people live

Where Polish people live in the UK

London has the biggest community, but Polish shops, parishes and Saturday schools are in many towns across England.

LDN
LondonThe biggest community. West London (Ealing, Hammersmith) has been its heart since the Second World War.
PBO
Peterborough3.9% of people were born in Poland: the second birthplace after England.
BRT
Brent, London7,235 people born in Poland (2.1% of the borough).
Community life

A piece of home, close by

Mass
Mass in PolishPolish Catholic Mission parishes across England and Wales, and many other churches hold a Polish Mass on Sundays.
Sch
Polish Saturday schoolsPolish lessons for children on Saturdays, many linked with Polska Macierz Szkolna.
POSK
POSK, HammersmithThe Polish centre in London: theatre, library, gallery, café and events.posk.org →
Shop
Polish shopsA "polski sklep" on many high streets, and Polish food aisles in the big supermarkets.
May
Polish Heritage DayEach May, with events in towns across the UK.
TV
Polish TVThe channels from home, live in the UK.Read the TV guide →
A cosy living room in the evening with a TV and warm shelf lights
Miss home?

The channels you grew up with, here

The news from home, your series, the big matches and the kids' cartoons in Polish. Live in the UK, on your TV.

How to watch Polish TV in the UK →
Advertisement: almost 400 Polish channels, live, with VOLTIX →
Photo: Pexels
Online

Where Polish people in the UK meet online

Facebook is where much of the community talks: jobs, rooms to rent, advice and events, in Polish.

FB
Your town's groupSearch Facebook groups for "Polacy w" plus your town, like "Polacy w Manchesterze". Most towns have one.
BP
British PolesNews and stories about Poles in the UK, with 200,000+ followers on Facebook.britishpoles.uk →
LN
Londynek.netNews, a forum and small ads for Polish people in London.londynek.net →
PE
Polish ExpressNews and guides for Polish people in the UK.polishexpress.co.uk →
POSK
POSK on FacebookEvents at the Polish centre in Hammersmith.Facebook →
ZP
Zjednoczenie PolskieThe Federation of Poles in Great Britain, run by volunteers.Facebook →

Stay safe: groups are great for jobs and rooms, but never send money or photos of your ID to someone you only know from a group.

Quick answers

Questions people ask

How many Polish people live in the UK?

At the 2021 census, 743,000 people in England and Wales were born in Poland, the second biggest group born abroad after India. Scotland and Northern Ireland count separately.

Where do most Polish people live in the UK?

London has the biggest community, with West London (Ealing and Hammersmith) its heart since the war. There are big communities in towns like Peterborough too, where 3.9% of people were born in Poland.

Where can my children learn Polish?

At a Polish Saturday school. There are schools across the UK, many linked with Polska Macierz Szkolna. Your nearest Polish parish will know the closest one.

Is there a Mass in Polish near me?

Very likely. Polish Catholic Mission parishes are spread across England and Wales, and many other Catholic churches hold a Polish Mass on Sundays.

Are there Facebook groups for Polish people in the UK?

Yes, lots. Search Facebook groups for "Polacy w" plus your town. Pages like British Poles, POSK and Zjednoczenie Polskie share news and events.

Can I watch Polish TV in the UK?

Yes. Our Polish TV in the UK guide shows every option, from the free TVP Polonia channel to all-in-one subscriptions.

More for Polish people in the UK

Guides for you

Polish TV in the UKEvery Polish channel, live, and how the official apps compare.The Polish community in the UKWhere Polish people live, community life and where people meet online.Moving from Poland to the UKA plain checklist: before you go and your first weeks.
Sources