In a video posted on his X account on Wednesday, Tusk described the phenomenon using the English term “foot voting” and referenced coverage of the trend in the British newspaper Daily Mail.
He highlighted that many Poles who previously moved abroad for work are now returning from the UK.
Reports from late 2025 showed that 25,000 Polish citizens left the UK over the past year, while only 7,000 arrived, representing a decline in the migration balance of more than two-thirds - the highest outflow since the Brexit vote.
Rising living costs, stricter visa regulations, and a less competitive labour market were identified as the main drivers of this shift.
British experts note that the pattern of returning to Poland, which began after Brexit, is now accelerating faster than at any point in the last two decades of mass migration of Poles to the UK.
Tusk also addressed Germany, noting that for the first time in modern history, more Poles are returning from German labour migration than are leaving for work there.
Data from the German Federal Statistical Office shows that 76,300 Polish citizens moved to Germany in 2024, slightly fewer than the number returning to Poland - a pattern highlighted by Polish news outlet Onet.pl.
Analysts commenting for Money.pl explain that this change reflects primarily a decline in outbound migration rather than a sudden surge in returns.
The Prime Minister described Poland as increasingly becoming a “promised land” for many citizens and encouraged them to come back, saying, “this is what we are aiming for - come back!”
The politician also referred to international coverage, including Der Spiegel, framing the returns as choices motivated by better economic and living conditions rather than a political achievement of his government.
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Source: Polish Radio English Service/Onet/Money.pl/X/@donaldtusk
Click on the audio player above to hear a report by Michał Owczarek.