Functionally, 'have to' is regarded as a 'modal verb'...

[Iwanna]

Functionally, "have to" is regarded as a "modal verb", meaning "there are no other choices". Modal verbs are rarely used in "progressive tense" as common verbs do, but sometimes I do read of "are having to" in some context, mainly from the Internet, as in the following examples:

1. British firemen are having to learn Polish.
2. Buyers are having to look harder to learn how long a property has been on the market.

Are they correct English? If they are, what is the difference between "have to" and "be having to"?

thanks

[Mister Micawber]

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Yes, they are OK-- the relative meanings are the same as for other present simple / present progressive pairs. The latter expresses such things as duration, immediacy, interest, and courtesy.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's