Cost of Living in Poland- Rent, Universities and more

Located in Central Europe, Poland is a country famous for its landscape, with multiple forests, rivers, tall mountains, and broad plains. Polish is the country’s official language, and most residents are Roman Catholics. Poland follows the Central European time zone throughout the year, except from March to October when it switches to daylight savings time. With a moderately continental climate, Poland experiences mild summers and extreme winters where the temperature may dip to -5 degrees Celsius. 

Studying in the country is attractive since the cost of living in Poland for international students is also lesser than in the rest of the European Union. On average, the cost of living in Poland starts from PLN 1500 per month, which equates to around EUR 330.

Types of Cities

Poland has 944 cities, of which 726 have fewer than 20,000 residents. Around 60% of the population lives in the city, indicating a fair deal of urbanization. Here are some of the most popular cities in Poland with a low cost of living:

Warsaw

Cementing its reputation as the capital of Poland, Warsaw is an urban center with a mix of modern architecture and old-world charm.

The city witnesses multiple cultural, sports, and musical events. It is also appealing to students looking to study in Poland with reputed institutions. Despite the city’s grandeur, the average living costs (excluding rent) lie around PLN 2,707. 

Krakow

Krakow is one of the oldest cities in Poland, known for its historical structures. It is the country’s former capital, with monuments, museums, and entertainment options.

The city is a hub for academic excellence for housing some of the oldest universities in the country. The average living expenses for international students (excluding rent) are capped at around PLN 2,603. 

Poznań

Poznań is considered a significant cultural, scientific, and economic tourist hub. It lies on the river Warta and is famous for its renaissance-styled buildings.

Poznań is home to top universities in Poland, contributing to its reputation as an academic hub. For international students, the cost of living (without rent) would be an estimated PLN 2,430.

Bialystok

It is the largest city in north-eastern Poland, known for being the home of the European Bison. It is also hailed as a green city due to its rich parks, forests, and vegetation collection.

Bialystok is home to multiple reputed medical universities and offers a prime location for students looking to study abroad in Poland. The cost of living in Bialystok varies, with average living expenses (without rent) reaching PLN 2,345.

Study in Poland: Cost of Living in Poland

Top Universities in Poland

Poland is home to more than 450 institutes that offer undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral courses. The universities in Poland rely on a specialized model of teaching, diverting from the traditional model employed by other European institutes. 

A common question that hovers in the students’ minds looking to apply is the minimum cost of living in Poland

The cost of living in Poland for Indian students depends on the university and the area. Some of the most popular universities in the country include:

• Jagiellonian University
• University of Warsaw
• Adam Mickiewicz University
• Gdańsk University of Technology
• Medical University of Bialystok
• Medical University of Warsaw
• Nicolaus Copernicus University
• SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities
• AGH University of Science and Technology
• Cracow University of Technology

Cost of Attendance in Polish Universities

The cost of studying Poland depends on the program, level, and city. The estimated tuition fee for international students in state universities are as follows:

• PLN 9,600 for undergraduate courses, specifically the first, second, and long cycle studies
• PLN 14,400for postgraduate courses and other scientific, specialist courses
• PLN 14,400 for post-doctoral internships

Private universities might charge higher, depending on the course. For example, the tuition fee for most courses would lie in the range of PLN 9,600 to PLN 28,700. However, the costs may be higher for popular courses like MBA, lying in the range of PLN 38,300 to PLN 57,500 per year.

Rent Incurred by International Students

The cost of living in Poland for international students varies according to the city. Students can opt for in-house accommodation, which might cost them anywhere between PLN 300 – PLN 500, depending on the city. The rent usually includes services like Wi-Fi, electricity, and laundry bills.

Alternatively, students can live in private accommodations, especially if they are moving with their families. The cost of living in Poland for a family depends on their expenses. However, the monthly rents vary according to the room size, ranging from PLN 2,072 to PLN 3,852.

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Utilities

The average cost of living in Poland can be calculated after understanding the spending on utilities. It is estimated that students residing in private apartments can incur the following prices per month:

• PLN 878 for electricity, garbage, heating, cooling, and water
• PLN 0.26 for 1 min of prepaid mobile tariff
• PLN 56.53 for unlimited internet with a speed of 60 Mbps
• PLN 700 – PLN 900 for groceries

Cost of Books

Students can choose to purchase new books or second-hand study material during their period of study. Although it is recommended to consult alums or seniors for effective study material, the cost of books would not exceed PLN 30.

Transportation

Students can take the local transport or taxis for their daily commute. The costs associated with each mode of transportation are as follows:

• A one-way ticket for public transportation like buses and trams: PLN 4
• A monthly pass for public transport: PLN 100
• Standard tariff for a taxi: PLN 8

Students will also acquire additional expenses for personal undertakings. For example, a meal at an inexpensive restaurant can cost up to PLN 30. On the other hand, a cinema ticket may cost around PLN 4.5.

Overall, the cost of living in Poland for international students lies in the range of PLN 1500 to PLN 2000.