This article suggests that the North American conception of ‘white privilege’ is incomplete. Through examining the experiences of Poland and the Polish diaspora in Europe, it demonstrates that ‘white privilege’ can vary in salience for the same ethnic group. In Poland, Poles are perceived as having ‘white privilege’ and enjoy certain ethnic privileges relative to other ethnic groups. However, in other European jurisdictions, they often encounter racialization and marginalization, thereby losing their ethnic privilege. The study identifies three critical elements influencing the construction of ‘white privilege’ that can inform the broader literature: (1) a fluid ethno-racial hierarchy; (2) the influence of a socio-economically disenfranchised minority population; and, (3) the historical context of ethnic-oriented exploitation.