While not as sun-soaked as many other European destinations, Poland can offer an exciting opportunity for expats after a change of pace from British life. Rich culture, stunning food, scenic countryside and classic cities make Poland a great location to emigrate to, while a cheaper cost of living offer an added advantage over Western Europe. 

Indeed, Poland is renowned for its inexpensive cost and value for money, with a long-held status as a popular holiday destination for Britons. However, the low cost of living for residents can be even more attractive for potential expats. Capital city Warsaw only ranks 164 out of the 209 most expensive cities in the world, according to Mercer’s 2021 Cost of Living Survey. 

The currency used in Poland is the Polish złoty, with 1 British pound equalling approximately 5.41 złoty (as of 7 December 2021). To calculate the cost of living in Poland as an expat, you’ll need to convert prices you see into British pounds in order to compare them to UK prices.

(All figures taken from Numbeo.com and exchange rates calculated on 7th January 2021 at 02.07pm).  

 

How much does accommodation cost in Poland?

The cost of renting or buying property in Poland can differ slightly, depending on the location you choose to settle. However, property prices within major cities remain quite consistent on average, with cultural capital Kraków and coastal city Gdańsk similarly priced to the capital Warsaw. Below is a general guideline for the cost of renting or buying property, which is an important factor when considering the cost of living in Poland.

 

Warsaw

Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (city centre)	£666.70 (3,603.67 zł)
Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (outside centre)	£509.43 (2,753.62 zł)
Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (city centre)	£1,368.27 (7,395.89 zł)
Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (outside centre)	£957.50 (5,175.54 zł)
Price per square meter to buy apartment (city centre)	£3,761.01 (20,329.27 zł)
Price per square meter to buy apartment (outside centre)	£2,401.76 (12,982.14 zł)

 

Kraków

Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (city centre)	£582.40 (3,148.00 zł)
Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (outside centre)	£424.38 (2,293.88 zł)
Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (city centre)	£1,103.93 (5,967.05 zł)
Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (outside centre)	£678.97 (3,670.00 zł)
Price per square meter to buy apartment (city centre)	£3,395.94 (18,355.95 zł)
Price per square meter to buy apartment (outside centre)	£1,858.21 (10,044.10 zł)

 

Gdańsk

Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (city centre)	£568.81 (3,074.57 zł)
Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (outside centre)	£448.64 (2,425.00 zł)
Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (city centre)	£1,003.42 (5,423.75 zł)
Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (outside centre)	£780.38 (4,218,18 zł)
Price per square meter to buy apartment (city centre)	£3,104.16 (16,778.79 zł)
Price per square meter to buy apartment (outside centre)	£2,079.40 (11,239.71 zł)

 

Cost of transport in Poland

Public transport is an affordable option for many within Polish cities. Buses, trams and regional trains are popular choices, while cross-country travel is often done via coach or train. In addition, the cost of buying a car and the price of petrol are significantly lower than in the UK, providing another option if you wish to travel around the country.

Single bus ticket	£0.75 (4.40 zł)
Monthly public transport ticket	£22.20 (120.00 zł)
Petrol (1 litre)	£1.09 (5.89 zł)
Volkswagen Golf	£18,500.48 (100,000.00 zł)
Toyota Corolla	£19,965.10 (107,916.67 zł)

 

What is the cost of living in Poland compared to the UK?

The cost of living in Poland is significantly cheaper than in the UK, and still offers a more affordable option when compared to other European countries such as Spain and Portugal. Below is a list of the average prices you can expect to encounter for various goods and services in the country, giving you more insight into the cost of living in Poland compared to the UK.

Milk (1 litre)	£0.53 (2.84 zł)
Bread (500g loaf)	£0.71 (3.86 zł)
Eggs (12pk)	£1.74 (9.40 zł)
Water (1.5 litre bottle)	£0.42 (2.26 zł)
Chicken Breast (1kg)	£3.47 (18.75 zł)
Cappuccino (regular, in a restaurant)	£1.86 (10.08 zł)
Beer (500ml, in a restaurant/pub)	£1.67 (9.00 zł)
Cinema ticket	£4.63 (25.00 zł)
Gym membership (monthly)	£21.66 (117.07 zł)
Preschool/Kindergarten (monthly)	£222.26 (1,201.38 zł)
Primary School (yearly)	£7,443.78 (40,235.62 zł)

 

The cost of living in Poland for international students

The more than 400 universities and colleges as well as the relatively low cost of living in Poland for international students makes the country an attractive option for Britons looking to further their education. Before exploring living costs for students, it is important to mention that Polish, EU/EEA, and Swiss students do not pay tuition fees for degrees taught in Polish. Students must pay tuition fees for all other study programmes. Those fees may cost between £425 – £5091 per academic year for Bachelor’s degrees, and between £850 – £6794 per academic year for Masters degrees. Some dentistry and business degrees (such as MBA) can cost upwards of £12,738 per academic year.

Tuition fees excluded, the cost of living in Poland for students is relatively low, although you may need to adjust your budget depending on the area or city in which you want to study. Outside larger cities such as Warsaw or Krakow, living costs range between £300 - £468 per month. In larger cities, you can look at budgeting for between £425 – £722 per month.

Of the total monthly living costs, approximately 35% is spent on accommodation, which may be student residence halls or a shared flat. Accommodation in student residence halls generally cost between £59 – £128 per month. Shared flat rental generally costs between £68 – £128 per month.

If you are looking at renting a one-bedroom flat in Warsaw, you could pay between £298 – £552 per month. In Krakow, you could pay between £255 – £395 per month for a similar flat. You also need to budget for utilities such as electricity, water, heating, and refuse collection, which has a total cost of approximately £132 per month for an 85 square metre flat. Many landlords ask for a two-month deposit when you move in.

The cost of living in Poland for international students from Britain are relatively affordable when it comes to food. If you shop at cheaper supermarkets, you can look at budgeting between £85 – £128 per month for food. Dinner in an affordable restaurant can cost as little as £4.25. A three-course dinner for two in an average restaurant can cost around £20.

Most students in Poland use public transport. A six-month semester pass costs approximately £43.

If you plan to study in Poland for more than three months, you will need to apply for a temporary residence permit. This should not cost more than £73.

 

The currency in Poland

The currency in Poland is the Polish zloty (zł). The official currency code is written as PLN, which is how you will see it at moneycorp. The zloty is a floating currency, which means its value increases or decreases according to market demand. moneycorp's online currency converter is one of the easiest ways to keep up with the zloty’s current value. The zloty’s value against other currencies is above the mid-market exchange rate.

If you’re emigrating to Poland, you will want to get the most out of your money when on your international currency exchange. With a moneycorp account, you can enjoy great exchange rate and low transfer fees. This helps you to ensure more of your money goes on the move itself and not on the costly fees and poor rates that some high-street banks can charge when you make payments to Poland.