Poland is one of Europe’s largest countries, coming in at a ninth-place and is bigger than Italy and the UK. Thanks to the rich history and culture, gorgeous natural resources, solid infrastructure as well as comparatively low cost of living in Poland, it has become an attractive place to call home.
Understanding the financial aspects of living in the country is crucial for making informed decisions about your move. Therefore, in this article, we will analyze the life costs in Poland, providing you with a clearer understanding of what to expect in terms of housing, utilities, food, transportation, and other essential expenses. By breaking down these costs, we aim to equip you with the knowledge necessary to plan your move to Poland effectively and enjoy all that country has to offer.
Table of Contents
Opening a bank account in Poland
Banking will play an important role in how you manage your finances while living in Poland. Luckily, opening an account is not that difficult. Some of the documentation that will be required for this purpose include:
- passport or a national identity card
- proof of address such as a rental contract or a residence card (alternatively, a utility bill if you don’t have a contract yet)
- as well as employment history and salary slips for credit cards and overdraft options
Some of the most popular banks in Poland are MBank, Bank Pekao, Bank Millennium and PKO. Most staff at these banks will be able to help you in English.
How much is the rent in Poland per month?
As with all places in the world, it might be slightly more expensive to live in the capital and tourism city than in other Polish big cities. The cost of renting or buying a property in Poland can differ depending on your location. Warsaw and Gdansk are relatively similarly priced in terms of accommodation, as is the cultural capital Krakow.
Let’s take a look at some of the monthly rental prices in Warsaw. In the city centre, the monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment will cost you 1,022.77 €, while this cost is significantly lower if you choose accommodation outside the city centre for the same type of apartment at 791.85 €. The monthly rent for a three-bedroom apartment in the city centre is approximately 1,835.36 €, while for the same type of apartment outside the city centre, you’ll pay in the region of 1,320.56 €.
In Krakow, the monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre will set you back 796.98 €, while outside the city centre, the same type of apartment will cost you 612.55 €. The monthly rent for a three-bedroom apartment in the city centre is in the region of 1,404.17 €, while outside the city centre, you’ll be expected to pay 1,003.24 €.
Moving on to Gdansk, your monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre will be around 773.89 €, while outside the city centre, it will cost you 618.90 €. Meanwhile, renting a three-bedroom apartment in the city centre will cost 1,158.81 €, and renting outside the city centre will cost 857.90 €.
What is the average house price in Poland
When it comes to buying a property in Poland, here are some of the prices you can expect to pay: the price per square metre for an apartment in the city centre is around 3,556.93 €, while outside the city centre, the property costs are significantly lower at 2,563.32 €. The annual mortgage interest rate for a 20-year fixed rate is 6.89%.
In Warsaw, you’ll be expected to pay around 5,227.64 € for an apartment in the city centre or 3,538.93 € for an apartment outside the city centre. Krakow is a bit cheaper with the following costs: 4,755.02 € for an apartment in the city centre and 3,265.17 € outside the city centre. In Gdansk, the price of purchasing an apartment in the city centre is 4,526.37 €, and outside the city centre, it’s about 2,913.50 €.
Cost of utility bills in Poland
Your basic utility bills in Poland, which cover electricity, heating, cooling, water and garbage removal for an 85 square metre apartment, are in the region of 247.62 € per month. You can expect to pay between 20 and 30 € per month for your telephone/mobile/internet and television. One minute of the prepaid mobile local tariff is 0.23 €, while internet at 60 Mbps or more, unlimited data and cable/ADSL will cost you 11.80 EUR per month. Your laundry detergent (3 litres) will set you back around 15 € while the hourly rate for cleaning help is about 20 €.
How much does transportation cost in Poland?
If you’re travelling within Polish cities, you’ll find that public transport is quite affordable. You’ll be able to choose from trams and buses to regional trains to reach your destination. These are relatively popular means of traversing across Poland. If you’d like to travel cross-country, then choosing a coach or train is another good option. The cost of purchasing a car is relatively cheaper when compared to the UK, and this offers you another opportunity to travel to your chosen destination.
Some of the most common transportation costs in Poland include:
| Type of Product | Average Prices |
|---|---|
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | 1.03 € |
| Monthly public transport ticket | 27.79 € |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | 1.52 € |
| Taxi start (normal tariff) | 1.87 € |
| 1 km Taxi (normal tariff) | 0.70 € |
| Taxi 1-hour waiting (normal tariff) | 9.34 € |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | 29,097.64 € |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | 26,073.23 € |
Necessities living costs in Poland
Of course, we can’t live without the basics, such as food and drinks and even some form of entertainment from time to time. Luckily, in Poland, these are quite affordable, especially when compared to countries such as Spain and Portugal.
How much does food cost in Poland
The average cost of food in Poland will vary depending on the season, the availability of the products and whether or not they’re imported. However, you can expect to pay the following for these common products:
| Type of Product | Average Prices |
|---|---|
| Milk (1 litre) | 0.90 € |
| Bread (500 g loaf) | 1.14 € |
| Eggs (1 dozen) | 2.81 € |
| Beef Round (1kg) | 10.35 € |
| Water (1.5 litre bottle) | 0.57 € |
| White rice (1 kg) | 1.30 € |
| Onion (1kg) | 1.05 € |
| Apples (1 kg) | 0.89 € |
| Cheese (1 kg Polish) | 8.21 € |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | 5.60 € |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | 0.77 € |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | 2.47 € |
| Coffee (at a cafe) | 3 EUR |
| Cappuccino (regular in a restaurant) | 3.07 € |
| Beer (500 ml, in a restaurant) | 3.27 € |
| A meal for two (mid-range restaurant) | 37.37 € | Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 5.84 € |
Attire and personal care
To look your best, you will need some clothing, shoes and cosmetics, and while the costs will depend on the various brands, you can expect to pay some of the following prices on average:
| Type of Product | Average Prices |
|---|---|
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | 72.27 € |
| 1 summer dress at a chain store | 34.23 € |
| 1 pair of Nike running shoes | 77.09 € |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 85.86 € |
Healthcare costs in Poland
Poland’s healthcare system is insurance-based, and it is mandatory for citizens to pay insurance fees of 9%, which are deducted from their incomes. These contributions are collected by the National Health Fund (NFZ), which is tasked with funding health services for insured individuals and covering medication costs.
This system is available at no cost to Polish citizens who qualify as “insured,” typically those whose health insurance is covered by their employer or who are family members of insured individuals. All citizens are entitled to equal access to this publicly funded healthcare and the government has a responsibility to ensure free healthcare for young children, pregnant women, individuals with disabilities, and the elderly.
However, the use of private healthcare services is quite prevalent in Poland, and uninsured patients are required to cover the full expenses of their medical care.
Takeaways
Compared to other European countries, living expenses in Poland are relatively affordable, making the country an attractive destination for both expats and students. While major cities like Warsaw, Krakow, and Gdańsk tend to have higher living costs in Poland, smaller towns and rural areas provide a more budget-friendly lifestyle.
Key factors that impact the overall expenditure include accommodation, transportation, food, and healthcare. Additionally, the cost of utilities, internet, and entertainment remains reasonable, allowing for a balanced and comfortable lifestyle.
Whether you’re relocating to Poland for work, study, or a change in scenery, understanding the cost of living will help you plan your finances effectively and make informed decisions.
(2 votes, 100.00 % )
Loading...
