The Polish government has told its citizens to cash in on British benefits before returning home.

Advice published on Powroty, a Polish government website for citizens living abroad who wish to return home, says “when leaving the UK, it is worth considering whether you are eligible for Jobseeker’s Allowance”.

Post-Brexit arrangements allow European Union citizens who acquired settled status before December 2020 to transfer some benefit payments abroad when they move to an EU country, for up to three months.

It means those returning to Europe can claim hundreds of pounds from the British taxpayer to support their job hunt, despite not searching for work in the UK.

Thousands of Poles have left Britain since Brexit, with many returning home to enjoy their country’s growing economic fortunes.

Poland is attempting to lure back citizens and professionals to sustain an extraordinary period of economic growth that has narrowed the income gap with rival Western economies and reversed a sustained period of emigration – in particular to Britain, after Poland joined the EU.

The Powroty website says: “The UK unemployment benefit is higher than the equivalent benefit paid in Poland. It’s important to apply for it before leaving. Once you return to Poland, you won’t be able to start the benefits process.”

Step-by-step instructions

The site, available in English and Polish, provides step-by-step instructions on how to claim UK benefits and transfer them to Poland.

MPs have called the guidance “outrageous”, saying it proves that the UK has become an international “laughing stock”.

A spokesman for the Government appeared to criticise Poland, saying Brexit benefit rules should not be treated as a “mechanism to maximise claims on British taxpayers”.

Poland has hit back at the accusation, saying Polish citizens were leaving Britain for “attractive job opportunities; the fact that the Polish economy has seen uninterrupted and dynamic economic growth over the past 28 years; the possibility of living and working among friends and family; and a high level of public safety”.