Accommodation in Krakow

Expats in search of accommodation in Kraków will find a variety of options available to them. When considering where to live, a number of factors should be taken into consideration, including one's budget, the size of the property and an expat's preferred lifestyle.

Expats working in Kraków will want to make sure there’s an easy way to commute to the office, while parents will benefit from living close to their children's school. Living in an area well served by public transport makes getting around easier, but prices tend to be higher in these areas due to this convenience.

Types of accommodation in Kraków

There is a range of accommodation options in Kraków. Expats will find everything from modern studio apartments and older Soviet-era flats, to villas and freestanding houses with gardens.

Both furnished and unfurnished accommodation is available in Kraków, but most accommodation comes unfurnished.

Many expats moving to Kraków for the first time opt for short-term accommodation initially while they get to know the city. It may be difficult to rent an apartment on a short-term basis, and expats may therefore have more luck with a guest house, hotel or serviced apartments.

Finding accommodation in Kraków

There are a number of ways to get started on searching for accommodation in Kraków, even from a distance. Online property portals and websites of estate agencies can be a good way to learn about the various areas and what to expect in terms of pricing. That said, expats should never agree to rent a property or pay any money towards it without having seen it in person.

Once in Kraków, the easiest route is to enlist a real-estate agent, preferably from an agency with experience working with expats. Hiring a bilingual agent who can speak both English and Polish will go a long way towards easing any communication difficulties. These agents will also have a good knowledge of the various areas in the city and can guide expats through the leasing process.

Renting accommodation in Kraków

Once an expat has found their ideal new home, they will need to go through the process of signing the lease, paying the deposit and finally moving in.

Leases

Leases in Poland are most commonly signed for 12 months, or sometimes longer. Before signing, expats should be very sure of the length of their stay as they may not be able to break the lease if they need to leave the country suddenly.

If the landlord presents a Polish lease, it is strongly recommended to ask for an English translation, and be sure to read it carefully.

Deposit

A typical deposit in Poland is one month’s rent, though some landlords may charge a double or even triple deposit. As long as the property is returned in a good condition at the end of the lease, the deposit should be returned to the tenant in full.

Utilities

Utilities such as electricity, water and gas are not usually included in rental prices in Poland. To avoid later disputes, expats should always ensure that they have full clarity with their landlord on this matter. It should also be stipulated in the lease.