Polski 
The investments of foreign companies and the growth of business service centers are driving an increasing demand for employees proficient in foreign languages. This is important information not only for candidates with expertise in this area but also for those considering developing their skills in this field.
Poland is one of Europe’s leaders in providing business services. According to the ABSL report published in July 2022, there were 1,714 centers in the country specializing in SSC (servicing internal business processes within organizations), BPO (providing outsourcing services for external entities), IT, and R&D (research and development). 72% of these centers are foreign investments, and the entire sector employs approximately 400,000 individuals. For many companies, proficiency in foreign languages is a primary requirement. Polish companies operating actively in foreign markets are also seeking such candidates.
What Positions Await Candidates with Foreign Language Skills?
The job market offers a wide range of opportunities, which is good news for candidates, as they can choose positions that align with their individual skills, knowledge, and experience.
Companies are seeking candidates proficient in foreign languages across various departments, including customer service, sales, accounting, procurement, HR operations, logistics, and content review.
The most job opportunities are located in cities that are major centers for the SSC/BPO sector, such as Warsaw, Cracow, Katowice, Wrocław, Poznań, and Łódź. Most positions require working on-site or in a hybrid model, with fully remote work options being rare, although they do exist.
German, French, Czech, or Norwegian? Which Foreign Languages Are Associated with the Highest Salaries?
In the current business landscape, proficiency in English is considered standard. However, fluency in an additional language sets a candidate apart. Which foreign languages are most sought after and, therefore, the best compensated?
Currently, the largest number of job opportunities is directed at candidates fluent in German or French, due to both the significant presence of companies from these countries in Poland and the active operations of Polish companies in these regions. At entry and mid-level positions, candidates can expect gross salaries in the range of 6,000 to 10,000 PLN for French and 7,000 to 10,000 PLN for German.*
-
- *Salary Survey– Goldman Recruitment
Candidates proficient in these languages, aside from entry and mid-level roles, may also find opportunities for higher-level positions, such as Senior Specialist, Team Leader, or Manager.
Surprisingly, there are also many opportunities for candidates speaking Czech (6,000 – 9,000 PLN) or Dutch (6,500 – 10,000 PLN). This demand arises from business processes being relocated from these countries to Poland, typically driven by cost optimization. The demand for candidates proficient in Scandinavian languages, particularly Swedish and less frequently Norwegian, remains high (in both cases, salary ranges are 6,500 – 10,000 PLN). This is primarily due to the significant presence of companies from the Nordic region, especially in the northern parts of Poland. Similar trends apply to Czech and Slovak, where demand for these language skills is most significant in southern and central Poland. Demand for candidates proficient in Italian and Spanish is also high. However, the market has many candidates with these language skills, which has led to a slightly lower salary range (5,500 – 9,000 PLN). Likewise, individuals proficient in Hungarian and Romanian can expect salaries in a similar range (5,500 – 8,000 PLN), though this is primarily due to limited demand from employers.
Foreign Languages – A Pathway to a Career in Corporations?
Job offers are directed at returning Polish expatriates, their children, and graduates of philology departments. Employers’ main expectation is a good command of the language, and the path taken to achieve this proficiency is not of particular concern. This can be an important insight for young individuals making decisions about their educational path. While philological studies are valuable, it may be more advantageous to choose courses that prepare one for specific careers, such as economics, finance, or HR, while simultaneously learning a foreign language.
This approach significantly increases career development opportunities. This strategy has proven highly effective, offering access to employment in many corporations.
Is Technological Progress a Threat?
Many people question whether artificial intelligence and automation pose a threat to employment, including positions requiring proficiency in foreign languages. Just like in other industries, AI is expected to act as a support system for workers for many years to come rather than become a direct competitor. Tools used in customer service, for instance, remain imperfect, as evidenced daily. There is no prediction that AI will replace human workers anytime soon; rather, these tools will likely simplify tasks, freeing employees from repetitive, simple duties.
“Investing in foreign language skills always pays off. An increasing number of companies from various countries are establishing their business service centers in Poland. Therefore, demand for candidates proficient in various—even less common—languages will continue to grow.”
