Accommodation in Krakow

As you search for accommodation in Kraków, you’ll find a variety of options available. When considering where to live in this historic Polish city, several factors should be taken into consideration, including your budget, the size of the property and your preferred lifestyle.

If you’re working in Kraków, you’ll 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 15 to 20 percent higher.

Areas and suburbs in Kraków

When looking at areas and suburbs in Kraków, you'll find several neighbourhoods that are particularly popular among expats.

The Old Town stands out with its historic charm, cobblestone streets and bustling Main Market Square. This central district includes Kazimierz, the former Jewish Quarter, with its bohemian atmosphere and vibrant artistic scene that appeals to young professionals and culture enthusiasts. Young professionals and students often gravitate toward Grzegórzki and its mix of historic buildings and modern developments or the up-and-coming district of Podgórze across the Vistula River. 

For families relocating to Kraków, neighbourhoods like Zwierzyniec and Krowodrza offer an appealing blend of green spaces, quality schools and family-friendly amenities. If you’re seeking a balance of affordability and convenience, consider emerging areas like Zabłocie and Dębniki, which offer good value while maintaining excellent transport links to the city centre. The southern suburbs near Lusina provide easier access to the International School of Kraków, an important consideration for expat families with school-age children.

Types of accommodation in Kraków

Types of accommodation in Kraków span a diverse architectural spectrum, from pre-war tenement buildings with ornate facades to Soviet-era blocks and sleek modern developments. You’ll find everything from cosy studio apartments in the city centre to spacious villas with gardens in the suburbs. Apartments are the predominant housing type, particularly in central areas, while houses are more common in outer districts.

Both furnished and unfurnished accommodation is available in Kraków, but most rental properties come unfurnished. Many tenants now opt for unfurnished options as a cost-saving measure for longer-term stays, while furnished flats command a 15 to 25 percent premium.

If you’re moving to Kraków for the first time, you might want to opt for short-term accommodation initially while you get to know the city. Consider serviced apartments, extended-stay hotels, or Airbnb rentals, particularly in the Old Town or Kazimierz districts. These central locations provide easy access to amenities while you search for your permanent home. Post-pandemic housing preferences have shifted, with many expats now prioritising properties that offer home office space or outdoor areas like balconies and gardens.

Finding accommodation in Kraków

Finding accommodation in Kraków can be approached through various channels, even from a distance. Online property portals like Otodom.pl and OLX.pl are helpful resources for researching available properties and market rates. These platforms offer extensive listings and filtering options to narrow your search by neighbourhood, price range, and property features. That said, you should never agree to rent a property or pay any money towards it without seeing it in person, as rental scams targeting foreigners are unfortunately not uncommon.

Once you’re 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, especially when reviewing contracts that are typically in Polish. These agents will also have a good knowledge of the various areas in the city and can guide you through the leasing process.

The rental market moves quickly in popular expat areas, so be prepared to make decisions promptly, particularly during the peak season between May and August when many international contracts begin.

Useful links

• Otodom.pl
• OLX.pl
• Kraków Expats Directory
• Uniplaces.com

Renting accommodation in Kraków

Once you’ve found your ideal new home in Kraków, you will need to go through the process of signing the lease, paying the deposit and finally moving in.

Making an application

Making an application for a rental property in Kraków typically requires various documents to establish your credibility as a tenant. As a foreign national, you’ll generally need to provide your valid passport or ID card, proof of legal residence such as a visa or residence permit, evidence of stable income through employment contracts or bank statements, and sometimes references from previous landlords. EU citizens face a simpler process than non-EU nationals, who may occasionally be asked to provide a Polish guarantor.

Leases

Leases in Poland are most commonly signed for 12 months or sometimes longer. Before signing, you should be very sure of the length of your stay, as you may not be able to break the lease if you 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. Rental agreements are usually concluded for one year or more, although in some cases, it’s possible to negotiate a six-month term, particularly in the current competitive market.

Deposit

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

Terminating the lease

The standard notice period for terminating a lease in Kraków is typically two to three months. This information should be clearly stipulated in your rental agreement and any specific conditions for early termination. Provide written notice within the required timeframe to avoid forfeiting your deposit or incurring additional costs.

Read more about the ins and outs of Renting Accommodation in Poland

Utilities in Kraków

Managing utilities in Kraków requires some planning and understanding of the local service providers. In Poland, utilities such as electricity, water and gas are not usually included in rental prices. To avoid disputes, you should always ensure you have full clarity with your landlord on which utilities you’ll be responsible for and how billing is handled. These arrangements should be clearly stipulated in your lease agreement.

The language barrier can present challenges, as many utility websites and customer service options are primarily in Polish, so having assistance from your real estate agent or a Polish-speaking friend during setup is helpful.

Electricity

The main electricity provider in Kraków is Tauron Polska Energia, which serves most of southern Poland. When moving into a new property, you’ll need to transfer the electricity account into your name, a process your landlord or real estate agent can usually help arrange. Be prepared to provide your passport, proof of residence, and the rental contract during registration. Digital meters are becoming increasingly common throughout the city.

Electricity bills are typically issued monthly or bi-monthly, with online banking transfers being the most convenient payment method. Direct debit arrangements are also available and often preferred for hassle-free payments. Be aware that during winter (November to March), electricity consumption may increase substantially due to heating needs, so it’s advisable to budget accordingly.

Gas

Gas service in Kraków is primarily provided by PGNiG (Polskie Górnictwo Naftowe i Gazownictwo), the national gas utility company. Many apartments, particularly older ones, use gas for cooking and water heating. As with electricity, you’ll need to register with the provider when moving in, and your landlord should facilitate this process.

Gas meters are usually read quarterly, although you may receive monthly estimated bills with periodic adjustments based on actual consumption. Safety inspections of gas installations are mandatory by law and typically conducted annually – your building administrator will arrange this essential service.

Water

Water supply and sewage services in Kraków are managed by MPWiK (Miejskie Przedsiębiorstwo Wodociągów i Kanalizacji), which prioritises continuous service and rapid fault resolution. Unlike electricity and gas, water billing is often handled through your building management rather than directly with the supplier, especially in apartment complexes, as part of your communal charges or czynsz administracyjny.

Water charges are typically calculated based on individual meter readings or, in some older buildings, allocated by the number of registered residents. MPWiK emphasises constant monitoring of the water supply system to ensure quality service. Water quality in Kraków is generally good and safe for drinking, although some expats prefer filtered or bottled water due to the high mineral content typical of Polish water supplies.

Bins and recycling

Waste management in Kraków has significantly improved in recent years with a strengthened focus on environmental protection. Since 2017, Poland has implemented a new waste management system requiring separation into five mandatory categories: paper, glass, metals & plastics, mixed waste, and bio-waste.

Waste collection fees are typically included in your building administration charges, so you won’t need to contract directly with waste collection services. Large apartment complexes usually have designated waste collection areas with properly labelled bins. Following recycling rules is mandatory, and fines can be imposed for non-compliance, so it’s worth familiarising yourself with the colour-coded system used across the city.

Special disposal options exist for items like expired medicines (return to pharmacies) and electronics (return to electronics shops). The Kraków Eco-Boxes initiative has made environmentally friendly waste collection more accessible to residents.

Useful links

• Tauron Polska Energia
• PGNiG
• MPWiK
• Kraków City Website