Accommodation

SHORT STAY

If you are planning a short business trip or a holiday stay in Poland, you have plenty of lodging options to choose from. The country offers a wide range of accommodation facilities to suit all budgets and needs – from international luxury hotels to B&Bs, inns, private guest-houses and low-cost hostels for backpackers or students. With such a variety of affordable and high-quality travel accommodation, coupled with the famous Polish hospitality, Poland has genuinely become a tourist-friendly destination.

Nowadays, the majority of tourist establishments are to be found online and can be rented through their own websites or popular booking services. Naturally, the bigger the city or the more touristy the area, the better chance of browsing through a large selection of accommodation options. The price range depends not so much on the size of the resort, as on its popularity. Generally, prices for an en-suite double room start from as little as PLN 40 per person per night.

STUDENT ACCOMMODATION

Those who decide to embark on an academic path in Poland, often choose to stay in a student dormitory, at least at the beginning of their academic journey. A room in university halls of residence offers a number of advantages, especially for young people who are just entering adulthood – first and foremost it provides a secure, stable accommodation at low cost, suited for a student’s budget. The monthly rent includes all bills and amenities such as internet access, launderettes or on-site gyms. Apart from that, this type of accommodation is usually located in close proximity to the university campus and, last but not least, allows students to socialise with people from different backgrounds, make valuable connections or even build long-lasting friendships. There are, however, two sides to every coin – one often has to share their room with one or more students and while the accommodation standards have significantly improved over the last few years, not all dormitories may live up to your expectations. Dorm prices vary depending on the city, university, number of beds in the room or its standard. In Warsaw, rent prices can range from PLN 400 to PLN 800 per month for a single room.

RENTING AN APARTMENT

The process of flat-hunting is one of the most challenging but necessary aspects of every relocation. Fortunately, nowadays you can browse through various ads online and begin your accommodation search even before landing in the country of your destination. In Poland, foreigners often choose to look for accommodation options on Facebook groups for expats or advertising websites dedicated to English-speaking people. It is also possible to use a real estate agency but this option obviously means some additional fees. If you choose it, remember that you should not be charged for anything (for example, a flat viewing) before signing a rental agreement.

Once you find a place to your liking, whether a room or a flat, make sure that you get a written contract which includes the following:

• Personal data of both the tenant and the landlord as well as the address of the property

• Contract duration (from… to…)

• Conditions for contract termination (the period of notice)

• Monthly costs (whether the rent includes utilities – electricity, water, heating etc.)

• Security deposit amount

When searching for accommodation, be careful of scams. Watch out for any surprise charges or hidden costs written in small print – remember to always double check your rental contract before signing. If you do not speak any Polish, do not hesitate to ask a Polish friend for help or to request an English version of the contract. As a rule, rent prices in Warsaw are slightly higher than in other Polish cities – on average, a single room with good access to the city costs around PLN 1,000 per month, bills included.

BUYING A PROPERTY

Every year, more and more foreigners in Poland decide to buy a property of their own. Some of them are motivated by the prospect of owning their own four walls, others treat it as a buy-to-let investment. From a legal standpoint, buying an apartment in Poland is relatively easy. In order to become a flat owner, you are not required to obtain any additional documents or even to be a permanent resident of Poland – a visa or a residence permit is sufficient to comply with the formalities. Buying a house, on the other hand, involves more paperwork. In order to acquire a stand-alone building, you need to obtain a special permit from the Polish Ministry of Interior and Administration. There are, however, a few exceptions to this rule – for example, the document will not be required if you are an EU national or if you have been a permanent resident of Poland for at least five years.

*average prices