Renting an Apartment in Poland 2026 — Full Cost Guide | Liczbnik

The standard deposit in Poland is 1 to 3 months of rent, depending on the property's furnishing level and the landlord's policy. For a fully furnished apartment in good condition, 2 months is most common. For basic unfurnished properties, 1 month is frequently accepted. The deposit must be returned within 30 days of the lease end, minus any documented deductions for damage beyond normal wear. Always sign a written handover protocol (protokol zdawczo-odbiorczy) at move-in with dated photos to protect your deposit.

Agency fees are not mandatory — they only apply if you use a real estate agent to find the apartment. If you rent directly from the landlord (which you can do via OLX, Otodom or personal recommendations), there is no agency fee at all. When an agent is involved, the fee is typically one month's rent plus 23% VAT, though some agents charge both landlord and tenant, others charge only one party. Always clarify the fee structure before viewing a property to avoid surprises.

For a 50 m² two-room apartment, expect to pay approximately 700–1 500 PLN per month in utilities during summer and 1 200–2 200 PLN during winter. The main components are: electricity (200–400 PLN), gas or district heating (100–500 PLN depending on season), water and sewage (60–120 PLN), internet (50–100 PLN), and building maintenance fee/czynsz administracyjny (300–700 PLN). Winter heating is the largest variable — apartments with district heating tend to be more predictable in cost than those with gas or electric heating.

Yes, foreigners can legally rent in Poland without a PESEL number, though some landlords prefer tenants who have one. You can sign a lease with a passport or residence card. Having a Polish bank account and a work contract strengthens your application. Many expats rent successfully using only a passport during their first months in Poland.

Czynsz administracyjny is the monthly building management fee paid to the housing cooperative or property manager. It covers shared costs such as staircase cleaning, lift maintenance, rubbish collection, building insurance and sometimes hot water heating. It is separate from the rent you pay the landlord and from your individual utility bills. Always add it to your total monthly housing cost when comparing apartments.

Under Polish civil law, for indefinite leases the landlord must give at least 3 months notice (terminating at the end of a calendar month) to vacate without cause. For fixed-term leases, termination mid-term is only possible for specified legal reasons (e.g., non-payment, breach of contract). Always ensure your lease specifies notice periods clearly.

Renters insurance (ubezpieczenie mieszkania najemcy) is not as widely used in Poland as in Western Europe, but it is available and recommended. A basic contents policy covering theft, fire and water damage costs approximately 150–400 PLN per year. Some landlords require it as a lease condition. It does not replace the landlord's own building insurance but protects your personal belongings and can cover third-party liability.

During a fixed-term lease, rent can only be increased if the contract explicitly includes a rent-review clause (klauzula waloryzacyjna), typically tied to the GUS consumer price index. Without such a clause, rent is fixed for the lease duration. For indefinite leases, landlords must give 3 months notice before increasing rent, and the increase cannot be disproportionately large relative to market rates.

Most Polish cities have excellent fibre broadband availability. Typical packages cost 50–100 PLN/month for speeds of 300–1 000 Mbps. Leading providers include Orange, T-Mobile, Play, Vectra and UPC/Liberty Global. In older apartment buildings, check whether fibre has been installed or whether only DSL/cable is available, as this affects speed and reliability. Internet contracts are usually 12–24 months; shorter no-commitment options exist at slightly higher prices.

Yes, short-term rentals of 1–11 months are available in Poland, particularly in larger cities. These are often furnished serviced apartments or corporate lets marketed through Airbnb, Booking.com or dedicated relocation agencies. Expect to pay a 20–40% premium over long-term rental prices for the flexibility. Some landlords offer 6-month leases with rolling monthly extensions. Short-term lets are useful while searching for permanent accommodation after arriving in Poland.

Polish rental prices have increased significantly in recent years. In 2023–2025, annual rent increases of 5–15% were common in major cities, driven by high inflation, strong demand and domestic migration. In 2026, rent growth has moderated to approximately 3–8% annually in Warsaw and other large cities. Leases with no rent-review clause protect you for the duration of the contract. Negotiating a fixed rent for the full lease term — with only CPI-capped increases — is worth attempting when the market is balanced.