Apartment Rentals in Poland in 2026: Prices by City

Rental prices in Poland vary by city. Find out how much tenants pay in Warsaw, Kraków and Łódź and what factors affect rental costs

Poland has long been one of the main destinations for people moving to Europe for work or study, and after the decision is made, the first question is almost always the same: where to live and how much it will cost. The answer depends heavily on the city. Two apartments of the same size can differ in a monthly budget by a thousand zloty or more. Renting is most expensive in Warsaw, while prices in smaller cities are noticeably lower.

Buying, selling or renting property abroad involves many legal details that are easy to overlook. A real estate lawyer on VisitWorld helps ensure the safe transfer of ownership from seller to buyer and resolves disputes between the parties. Working with a specialist saves time and money and protects you from scammers.

Choose a real estate lawyer on VisitWorld: enter your citizenship and destination country and find a specialist.

What is the average cost of renting an apartment in Poland?

According to Numbeo, a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre costs 2,765 zloty a month on average, and 2,222 outside the centre. A three-bedroom apartment in the centre runs at around 4,497 zloty, and at around 3,511 on the outskirts. Apartments in new residential complexes are usually above these averages.

There is one caveat. Numbeo collects figures from its own users, so this is more of a guideline than official statistics. Market reports show a somewhat different picture: the average listing price on Otodom in Poland was 3,618 zloty in January 2026 and 3,588 in February. In March it dropped to roughly 3,500 in voivodeship capitals. In other words, rents were not rising at the start of the year but gradually falling, by about one percent a month.

Read also about the procedure for obtaining a residence permit in Poland: documents and conditions.

Renting in the largest cities: from Warsaw to Łódź

The difference between cities is easiest to see in one-bedroom apartments in the centre. According to Numbeo, the average monthly rent looks like this (euro amounts are approximate, at a rate of about 4.25 zloty):

- Warsaw – 4,600 zloty (≈1,080 euros);

- Gdańsk – 3,900 zloty (≈920 euros);

- Kraków – 3,600 zloty (≈850 euros);

- Wrocław – 3,300 zloty (≈780 euros);

- Poznań – 3,100 zloty (≈730 euros);

- Katowice – 2,700 zloty (≈635 euros);

- Łódź – 2,300 zloty (≈540 euros).

So the capital costs twice as much as Łódź. Even within Warsaw there is room to save: outside the centre, a one-bedroom costs about 3,700 zloty.

Otodom listing data shows a more modest price scale. In January 2026 the average price of a small apartment of up to 40 m² in Warsaw stood at around 2,980 zloty, in Kraków at about 2,440, in Wrocław at 2,400 and in Gdańsk at 2,480. If you take apartments of all sizes, the February report puts the capital at 4,880 zloty, the Tricity area, Kraków and Wrocław just above 3,100, while the cheapest remain Kielce and Białystok at around 2,000–2,100 zloty. The gap with Numbeo comes down to different methodology, so for budget planning it helps to look at both sources.

Everything an entrepreneur in Poland needs to know is covered here.

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What affects rent in Poland?

The price is shaped by several things at once: the number of rooms, the district, the age of the building and how fiercely people compete for housing in the city. Demand is higher in large cities because there are more jobs and universities. The most popular listings on Otodom are two-room apartments of around 40 m², which account for more than a fifth of all enquiries.

Activity peaks in September, when the academic year starts and students snap up the offers. In August 2026 the number of active listings on Otodom reached 24,300, the biggest monthly increase in supply this year. When the student wave subsides, landlords are usually more willing to negotiate on price. So late autumn is, in principle, not a bad time to search.

Another factor gaining weight is institutional rental. These are apartments managed by professional operators and funds rather than private owners. Conditions there are usually more transparent, but prices are rarely the lowest.

Read also how much living in Poland costs in 2026.

Which costs are not included in the listed price?

The amount in a listing often covers only the rent itself. Utility bills and the fee paid to the owners’ association or cooperative, the so-called czynsz administracyjny, are often added separately, so the final bill can be noticeably higher. Before signing a contract, it is worth checking exactly what is included in the stated amount.

Additional payments at the start of a rental in Poland

- a deposit (kaucja): by law it cannot exceed twelve monthly payments, but in practice it is most often one or two months’ rent;

- rent for the first month;

- an agency commission, if the apartment was found through one;

- electricity, gas, heating and internet, depending on what is paid separately.

How to save on rent in Poland?

The most obvious way is to move away from the centre. In Warsaw, the difference between the centre and the outskirts for a one-bedroom apartment reaches almost a thousand zloty, while the metro and city trains make it possible to reach work without losing much time. The second option is to look at smaller cities. For those who work remotely, renting in Łódź, Katowice or Lublin can cut housing costs by roughly half compared with the capital. And third: look not only at the total amount but also at the price per square metre, which averages about 71 zloty across the country.

We explain the new rules for renting housing in Poland here.

What will change for short-term rentals from 2028?

News from the market also affects daily rentals. On 8 October 2026, the Sejm passed a law on short-term rentals: 407 deputies voted in favour, 24 were against and 9 abstained. The document must now go through the Senate and receive the president’s signature, so it has not yet come into force.

If the law makes it to the finish line, apartment owners in homeowners’ associations and cooperatives will be able to ban daily rentals in their building by majority vote, and city councils will gain the right to designate zones where it is restricted. These rules will take effect on 1 January 2028. A mandatory register of properties and fines of up to 50,000 zloty are also provided for. There are no direct restrictions for those looking for long-term rentals, but those planning to stay in serviced apartments by the day at first may find their choice reduced in some buildings.

Read in our previous article where in Europe it is easiest to save for your own home in 2026.

How to avoid scammers when renting an apartment in Poland?

The rental market attracts not only honest owners. Before handing over any money, ask to see the documents for the apartment and check the owner in the land and mortgage register (księga wieczysta), which is accessible online. Do not transfer a deposit until you have seen the property with your own eyes, and it is better to sign the contract in writing and attach a handover report describing the condition of the apartment and the meter readings. This is where a real estate lawyer helps: they will check the documents and the terms of the contract and warn you about clauses that could cause problems later.

Renting an apartment in Poland seems simple until you get to the contract. The size of the deposit, the termination terms, responsibility for utility bills and the condition of the property on move-out – all of this should be checked before signing, not after.

A real estate lawyer on VisitWorld is a specialist who acts as an expert in residential and commercial property transactions. They will help analyse the rental agreement and check the owner’s documents, and in case of a dispute they will defend your interests. If you plan not only to rent but also to buy property in Poland, such a specialist will guide you through all the legal stages of the deal. Working with them protects you from scammers who prey on people looking for an apartment in a new country.

Choose a real estate lawyer on VisitWorld: enter your citizenship and destination country and get a consultation before signing the contract.

A reminder! Renting in the EU differs greatly from country to country. We have already covered where apartments are most affordable, where they are hard to find and what is changing in 2026.

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