Out of 10.7 million migrants living in the UK, over 1.4 million are from Poland and Romania, and that’s without accounting for other Slavic countries. So, it’s not surprising that the number of family visas is setting new records. In the year ending in March 2024, the UK issued nearly 80,000 of them. If you’re curious about the potential of finding a Slavic wife, we’re here to answer all your questions.
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Historically, the UK had oscillating views on the concept of mail-order brides. Although in the 19th century, there was nothing wrong with bringing in spouses from other countries, the attitudes changed by the end of the 20th century with the adoption of the primary purpose rule (PPR). It was in action between 1983 and 1997 and required foreign spouses to prove that marriage was not solely for the purpose of settling in the UK.
Since its abolition in 1997, the number of spousal immigrants has increased by 50%. And while Slavic brides have always been popular, they are now outpaced by Asian brides and African immigrants.
Before considering Slavic girls for marriage, you need to get a better idea of who they are. Let’s start with hard facts and numbers:
Once you decide which Eastern European country you like best, you can research its people and learn more about them, but these facts should be enough to whet your appetite.
The first thing you need to understand is that you cannot buy a Slavic bride. Despite the common misconceptions, mail-order bride sites do not sell women, nor do they guarantee marriage.
Instead, dating sites let you meet foreign women interested in British men and start serious long-term relationships. When you are ready to propose and bring your bride to the UK, she must apply for a family visa. With a visa, she can legally enter the UK and move in with you.
However, family visas come with certain requirements. For example, you must provide evidence of your relationship and prove that you can support your Slavic bride based on your annual income. At the moment, the yearly minimum wage requirement is £29,000.
Poles and Romanians are the two biggest Slavic ethnic groups in the UK, but Russians, Belarusians, Ukrainians, and Czechs aren’t far behind. So, let’s see what makes Slavic wives so popular in the UK.
Please note that the table below lists only the number of family visas issued in 2023 and doesn’t account for Slavic girls coming to the UK on other visas before settling down with British men.
| Country | Number of family visas in 2023 | Average marriage age | English speaking % | Site to meet women |
| Czech Republic | 0 | 29.8 | 51% | SofiaDate |
| Russia | 11 | 26.0 | 5% | SofiaDate |
| Belarus | 5 | 26.1 | N/A | GoldenBride |
| Ukraine | 1 | 29.2 | 51% | SofiaDate |
| Poland | 0 | 29.4 | 49% | SofiaDate |
At first glance, all Slavic women for marriage may seem the same, but they won’t appreciate us lumping them together. Let us highlight their major differences to help you decide which country should become your primary dating destination.
Czech women are the closest to Western European girls in their looks and attitude. They are highly independent and self-reliant, capable of building successful careers and combining them with married life. Some girls can seem standoffish, unapproachable, or rude, but only because they are uncomfortable interacting with strangers.
Once you get to know them better, they become just as generous and welcoming as other Slavic girls. Like many nations that suffered under the Soviet regime, Czechs are proud of their culture and history and do not like discussing controversial political and historical topics.
Patience is among the most prominent Russian traits. Most Russian women are happy with what they have and won’t bring drama into a relationship. At the same time, they can be a bit high-maintenance, especially those born in large cities like Moscow or St Petersburg. Moreover, their perceptions of the Brits, Europeans, and Americans can be skewed by government propaganda.
Belarusian women are probably the most kind-hearted and easygoing of the five nations on our list. Despite living under an authoritarian regime, they preserve their kindness and warmth. They are also highly adaptable and patient, which makes them loyal lifelong partners.
Many Belarusian women have left the country since 2020, so you have a good chance of meeting them in the EU. Still, you need to account for their personal experiences and political preferences to guide your conversations.
Ukrainians have become known worldwide as one of the most freedom-loving nations, and their free spirit translates into personal relationships as well. Ukrainian women are passionate and aren't afraid to voice their opinions, much like Latin brides, but without the drama. At the same time, they are pretty sensitive regarding national customs and history. Most will not tolerate it if you confuse them with Russians or Belarusians.
Polish brides are the most pragmatic of the bunch. They value practical gifts over sentimental tokens. At the same time, they can be a bit fatalistic and surly at first glance. But like most Slavic women, they become more welcoming and open the better you get to know them. Besides, Polish women are comfortable with relocation, considering a large portion of the population relies on work migration to earn better wages in Western European countries.
By our estimation, the average cost of a Slavic mail-order wife is around £2,600 before the wedding. This includes only major expenses, from online dating charges to visa application and relocation.
Please note that the following estimates are calculated for the Czech Republic. Therefore, some spending categories will differ greatly depending on your destination. For example, you won't be able to book a direct flight to Russia or Ukraine because of the ongoing invasion. Still, other spending categories, like dating site membership and visa filing fees, will remain the same regardless of your bride's nationality.
Online dating expenses depend on your choice of an international dating site and your activity level. Most mail-order bride sites rely on credits or coins, providing complete control over your spending. Still, you will be charged for every interaction, which can drain your balance fast, especially in the first few weeks when you are looking for compatible matches.
Based on what we know about online dating, most British guys can get solid results, spending no more than £100 per month. And an average online relationship before an in-person meeting lasts around six months. Therefore, your overall online dating budget should be around £600.
A round-trip flight from London to Prague will cost around £100, while a week-long stay in the Czech Republic should cost around £600. Your expenses will depend on the season and your lifestyle choices. For example, traveling in summer or during the winter holiday season will be more expensive. You can also travel by train or bus, but it won't be much cheaper and will take much longer.
You may need to take several trips to visit your Slavic bride, and every trip will add to your dating budget. In most cases, British husbands visit their brides at least 2 to 4 times before proposing.
The cost of a family visa application is standard but liable to change. As of 2024, the cost of a family visa for joining a partner in the UK is £1,846 if your bride applies outside the UK. If you can have her apply for a family visa in the UK, the cost will be £1,258.
Additional costs include healthcare surcharges, which range from £2,587.50 to £5,175, depending on the duration of stay. Moreover, you can pay an extra £1,000 for priority service to get a faster decision.
Helping your Slavic bride move to the UK requires covering her plane tickets, as well as the shipping of her belongings. The airplane cost will depend on the season, while the shipping expenses will depend on the amount of possessions your bride decides to bring. £200 is a conservative estimate that should cover most expenses unless your bride decides to bring along large furniture pieces.
According to Hitched, the average cost of a wedding ceremony and reception in the UK in 2023 was over £20,000. That includes booking a venue, catering, a wedding dress, makeup, florist services, photography and videography, etc. However, you can limit your wedding expenses to under £3,000 if you are careful and keep the guest list to a minimum.
I love how resilient and energetic my Ukrainian wife is. She’s a force of nature, even if she can be a bit destructive, especially behind the wheel, since she can’t get used to driving on the left side of the street.
I was shocked at how well and how quickly she fit into my life. Even if her English wasn’t the best, she improved by leaps and bounds in six months and has already found a job.
My friends were skeptical and thought I was making a huge mistake, but she won them over. Sometimes it seems that they like her more than me, but I married her, so I know just how much there is to love about her.
To be honest, I knew nothing about the Czech Republic when I met Sarah. It drove her crazy for a long time, but once she saw I was willing to learn, we had much fewer fights. By now, we love teaching each other new things, and there’s never a shortage of new dishes or traditions to discover together.
We’ve been together for over a year and managed to meet every couple of months, but I’m ready to get married. Right now, she’s in the middle of the visa application process, and I hope she can move in with me within a few months.
