The aim of this study was to determine the differences between the most significant intercultural competences and the level of their acquisition by Polish economic emigrants in the UK. The research was based on the objectivist paradigm and used the method of diagnostic survey, with a questionnaire of my own design employed as a survey technique and a research tool. 261 employees of different companies and businesses located in South West England were surveyed. 123 properly filled in questionnaires were analysed. The obtained results indicated that the surveyed individuals acknowledged the importance of the analysed intercultural competences on the job market and reasonably judged their own acquisition of such competences. The analysis of six specific competences displayed significant statistical differences, with the average acquisition level classified as mediocre, in such areas as: interpersonal flexibility, cultural interaction, tolerance, the ability to cope with stress, cooperation, cultural participation and foreign language skills. The surveyed individuals showed the biggest deficits in these competences, which could influence the effectiveness of their functioning in the intercultural living and working environment.