Cost of Living in Poland

Poland has emerged as one of the major academic hubs in the world owing to its colleges and universities. The place allures hordes of international students every year thanks to its exceptional education and facilities for international students. Poland has everything you may need to embark on your academic journey and pave a thriving career path for yourself in your respective field. The cost of living in Poland is not something that’ll break your bank. That being said, those who wish to pursue their education in the country need not fret about the the cost of living as the place is quite affordable. Now, do you know Poland is also home to some of the oldest universities in the world? Here is an exclusive blog sorting all the expenses of studying in Poland for you!

Cost of Living in Poland

1. Housing & Accommodation

Housing is important because it accounts for about 35% of your gross monthly living expenses. International students can live in university residence halls or privately rented apartments that can be shared.

• Monthly rent for student residence halls ranges from 60 and 150 EUR. Excellent for socialising with other students, but arrangements can differ from one residence hall to the next.
• Rent in a shared flat is between 80 & 150 EUR per month. Among Polish students, this is the most common alternative.

2. Cleaning Services in Poland

The average cost of house cleaning is $90 to $150, with an hourly fee of $25 to $90 per cleaner across the country.

3. Groceries

Food for an international student usually costs between 100 and 150 EUR a month. Therefore, you can save money by buying food and shopping at lower-cost stores. Tesco, Auchan, Carrefour, Leclerc, and Lidl are some of the most well-known stores in Poland.

Dinner in a low-cost restaurant costs just 5 EUR, while a three-course meal in a mid-range restaurant costs 23 EUR for two people. A light drink would just set you back 2 EUR.

4. Utilities

Regarding utilities, your costs won’t be cheap, but they won’t be outrageous either. It is mostly determined by the size of your flat and the amount of power you use. In an 85m2 flat, basic utilities such as electricity, water, gas, and waste services would cost roughly $170. Heating costs may increase your spending during the winter.

5. Mobile Bill/Wi-Fi

INEA had the most costly fixed-line internet services in Poland in the first half of 2019, charging an average of 81.49 zloty per individual client. Orange and UPC came in second and third, with 78.04 zloty and 69.53 zloty, respectively.

6. Healthcare & Insurance

If you work in Poland, you will be required to pay a 9% National Insurance contribution, which will go towards the cost of your medical treatment. This implies you may use state health facilities for free, while prescriptions may still be required. If you’re self-employed, you have the option of making voluntary contributions or purchasing private health insurance.

• Health Card

To apply, go to your local City Office or Ward Office’s Residential Affairs Division. The premium is calculated using your age and prior year’s earnings.

• The Essential Benefit Plan

There’s also a plan in place for low-wage employees and unemployed people. The Essential Benefits Plan (EBP) is the bare minimum of health insurance coverage required of all Poland residents. It provides essential services at an affordable price.

7. Commuting & Transportation

Another component in the cost of living in Poland is transportation. Students’ primary mode is public transportation, which costs 50 EUR for a semester pass valid for six months. Many Polish cities have beautiful panoramic views and walking trails, but you can also explore on foot. If you choose to travel by car, as do 18% of students in Poland, you can cost about 1 EUR per litre of gasoline.

• Car Ownership

Car ownership in New York is somewhat more expensive than the national average, owing to hefty insurance and gas taxes. Without taking into account your auto loan, you should anticipate to pay roughly $2,000 each year. You may, however, control your expenditures by picking the type of automobile you buy and how you pay for it.

• Public Transportation

A single ticket for public transportation costs 4.40z. A 20-minute ticket is also available for 3.40z. If travelling via both zones, tickets valid for 24 hours are priced at 15 or 26z.

8. Other Costs Associated With Accommodation

When you live in Poland, you can incur extra costs from electricity in addition to your rent. The simple ones are electricity, heating, water, and garbage collection, with overall monthly costs of about 155 EUR (Approx INR 13,000) for an 85 sq metre apartment.

9. Leisure/Entertainment

For one individual, a one-week holiday in Poland normally costs roughly z1,472. A one-week trip to Poland for two persons costs roughly z2,944. In Poland, a two-week trip for two persons costs z5,889

Cost of Studying in Poland

Poland is a reasonably priced European nation with a stable economy. International students’ monthly living expenses range from EUR 350 and 550 EUR. However, the cost increases depending upon the town you plan to live in. Larger towns, such as Krakow or Warsaw, need 500–850 EUR per month.

 

Before moving onto the next factor contributing to the Cost of living in Poland, have a look at the top universities and education system of the country! 

Also Read: 10 Reasons to Study in Poland

Public School

For Bachelor’s degrees, fees range from 500 to 6,000 EUR every academic year. Master’s degrees cost between 1,000 and 8,000 euros every academic year.

International/Private Schools

A prominent international high school is also available, with tuition ranging from 20,800 to 23,800 PLN a year (depending on the class) and a 2,000 PLN enrollment fee. The tuition rate at another international school in the Polish capital is around 32,000 PLN.

Higher Education

At colleges, international tuition expenses might go up to US$4,180 per year.

Study Materials

Throughout your studies, you would need to buy books, review journals, and other study materials which also get added to your overall cost of living in Poland. In most instances, these are required, and they can also be obtained from certain universities. However, to save money, it is recommended that you purchase them from bookstores that sell recycled or used products.

Living Costs In Polish Big Cities

City	Cost (PLN)
Warsaw	200-250
Kra kow	200-250
Gdansk	150
Wroclaw	100
Pozan	150
Lodz	150

Key Tips to Reduce Cost of Living in Poland

Overall, the cost of living in Poland is moderate but not cheap, particularly for students from countries with low exchange rates. Here are some helpful hints for lowering your total cost of living in Poland:

• Students pursuing a graduate degree or a PhD from one of Poland’s prominent institutions might consider living in the relevant institution’s dormitory to save money.
• Students can utilise public transportation and share trips with other students instead of paying for private transportation. It will undoubtedly assist international students in lowering their living costs in Poland.
• Certainly, eating at upscale restaurants or cafés regularly may be costly. As a result, you must seek for a cost-effective choice. The university cafeteria and street food are both substantially less expensive options. Furthermore, certain bars and restaurants have higher drink/dinner costs. Takeout is a preferable alternative if at all feasible.
• When Living in Poland, students can usually work part-time for roughly 20 hours per week. Students are hired as interns and freelancers by a variety of workplaces and businesses. As a consequence, you’ll be able to support yourself comfortably and cover your living expenses in Poland.

Average Cost of Living in Poland

The cost of living in Poland is much cheaper than in other European nations due to the country’s continued economic progress. Overall, you’ll need about 500 USD per month (about 1,800 PLN) to cover your living, eating, and transportation costs.

FAQs on Cost of Living in Poland 

Check Out the Best Universities in Poland

Now that you know all about the cost of living in Poland, you can go ahead and prepare your budget to have an excellent study experience in this beautiful country. For any assistance, feel free to contact study abroad consultants at Leverage Ed.