Accommodation in Poland

If you’re an expat looking for accommodation in Poland, you will be delighted to find that there are plenty of options across all budgets and preferences available. Despite the variety of options, housing demand significantly outweighs supply, so competition over rental accommodation can be fierce in desirable areas, and prices are blowing up quickly.

If you’re intent on buying property in Poland, be prepared for a maze of paperwork. For instance, if you’re not from the EU, you’ll likely need to wrangle a permit from the Ministry of Interior. Most expats in Poland prefer to rent during their stay.

Types of accommodation in Poland

There are a few different types of accommodation in Poland, including older as well as more contemporary styles. Fortunately, the quality of housing in Poland is on the rise, with newer builds meeting higher standards. Poland offers diverse housing options – from older Soviet-era apartments to standalone homes with gardens. You’ll also find duplexes, semi-detached houses, townhouses, and modern penthouse apartments, especially in the bigger cities.

Furnished vs unfurnished

When it comes to furnishings, you have both options, but unfurnished places are much more prevalent. A lot of expats prefer bringing their own furniture or purchasing locally after arrival.

Standard appliances such as a stove, refrigerator and dishwasher are often supplied, but air conditioning is still relatively rarer in Polish apartments than in Western Europe.

Short lets

If you’re looking for temporary accommodation in Poland while searching for a permanent home, short-term rentals are widely available through online platforms. Short-term furnished places give you more wiggle room with week-to-week or monthly stays, but you’ll pay for that freedom. They’re worth the extra złoty though, especially when you first land in Poland – utilities and internet are usually rolled into one bill, which can save you tons of hassle during your first few chaotic weeks here.

Useful links

• Airbnb Poland
• Booking.com Apartments Poland
• Warsaw Stay
• Rent Flat Poland

Finding accommodation in Poland

When looking for an apartment or a house in Poland, you can find property listings on popular websites like Otodom.pl, Nieruchomosci-online.pl, and Morizon.pl.

If you’re unable to speak Polish, navigating these mainly Polish-language listings may prove tricky, and you may want to hire a real estate agent. Once the lease is secured, agents typically ask for a fee equivalent to at least a month’s rent for their services. This is typically paid by the tenant rather than the landlord.

When choosing an area in Poland to live in, consider its proximity to your place of work and your children’s school, as well as access to public transport. The further away from the city centre, the cheaper the accommodation, but these areas typically have limited access to key services like hospitals, schools and public transport.

Useful links

• Otodom
• Morizon
• OLX Rentals
• Poland Expats Facebook Group

Renting property in Poland

You need to act fast after finding a suitable property in Poland, as the rental market is quite competitive, with demand outpacing supply in major cities.

Making an application

As a prospective tenant, you usually need to provide proof of employment, ID and bank statements to secure a lease in Poland. The landlord and rental agencies will then review applications before choosing a tenant they think is the best fit.

In Poland’s competitive rental market, references from previous landlords strengthen your application considerably. Non-EU citizens need to keep their legal residency documents handy during the apartment hunt – landlords will ask to see them.

Leases

After a landlord accepts your application, you’ll arrange a handover day to sign the lease and inspect the property. Take photos during this walkthrough and check the inventory list carefully! Most property owners use a standard Polish lease with boilerplate language. These are generally for 12 months, although you may be able to negotiate for shorter or longer terms.

Deposits

Be prepared for security deposits ranging from one to three months’ rent, with some landlords requesting as much as six months’ payment upfront from expats. This deposit should come back to you after your tenancy ends, barring any significant damage beyond normal wear and tear. Foreign renters sometimes face steeper requirements than locals do, so keep this in mind when budgeting.

Terminating the lease

You are required to give proper notice if you wish to terminate a lease early. The exact notice period should be specified in your rental agreement but typically ranges from one to three months. Some contracts may include a minimum stay period before early termination is permitted, and notice must typically be given in writing.

For indefinite-period contracts, the statutory notice period is usually one month for monthly rentals, if not otherwise specified.

Utilities in Poland

In Poland, utilities like gas, water, and electricity bills rarely come bundled with rent. You’ll need to manage these accounts yourself. Expect separate bills for each utility, which you’ll handle independently from your monthly rent payment.

Electricity

Electricity in Poland uses a standard European voltage of 230V with type C and E power sockets. Most modern properties have individual meters for accurate billing, with costs varying seasonally – expect higher usage during winter months when daylight hours are shorter. Depending on your provider, bills typically arrive monthly or bi-monthly.

Gas (or electricity and gas)

Gas is commonly used for cooking and heating in many Polish homes. In urban areas, piped natural gas is the standard, while rural properties may rely on bottled LPG gas where piped infrastructure is lacking.

Most newer developments feature energy-efficient heating systems, although many Soviet-era buildings still have older systems that may be less efficient. Your gas bills will fluctuate significantly between seasons, with winter heating costs representing a major household expense, especially since gas prices have risen substantially in recent years.

Water

Water quality in Poland varies by region, but it is generally safe to drink in major cities. Many Poles still prefer bottled water due to the high mineral content (‘hard water’) that affects taste. Another alternative is to use water filters for drinking purposes.

Water bills usually arrive monthly or quarterly based on meter readings, although in some apartment buildings, water costs may be part of the building maintenance fee rather than billed separately. The water supply in urban areas is reliable and meets EU quality standards.

Bins and recycling

Poland has implemented a unified national waste management system based on EU directives, with standardised colour-coded recycling bins. As a tenant, you’ll need to sort your waste into several categories using specific coloured bins:

• Blue for paper,
• Green for glass,
• Yellow for plastics and metals,
• Brown for bio-waste,
• Black for residual waste.

Your building should have designated collection points for each category, and fines may apply for improper waste disposal, so it’s worth familiarising yourself with local sorting requirements.

Useful links

• PGNiG (Polish Gas and Oil Company)
• Energa
• MPWiK (Warsaw Waterworks)
• Warsaw Waste Segregation Guide