Moving to British boyfriend

Hi. I am a Polish citizen with a boyfriend of nearly 4 years in England. We planned on moving together in England this year. What is a legal route that i should be taking? We are planning on getting married, but is that required for me to be able to legally live and work in UK? I am so lost in all the visas, from what i can see i need to apply for a fiancee visa so i can go to UK to get married, but after that i have to apply again for a spouse visa to be able to stay there, is that correct?

from what i can see i need to apply for a fiancee visa so i can go to UK to get married, but after that i have to apply again for a spouse visa to be able to stay there, is that correct?

Correct yes. Or get married abroad and apply for a spouse visa

A fiance visa and spouse visa fee is the same.

You also cannot work kna 6 months fiance visa.

Your should have come to the UK before 31st December 2020 as you would not have required a visa.

Have you lived in the UK at any point in the past?