Nestled in the heart of Europe and bordered by the Baltic Sea, Poland enchants us with its historic cities, castles, and national parks. Renowned for its hospitality and gastronomy, Poland offers its residents an exceptional quality of life. With one of Europe’s most stable economies, it attracts many expats eager to benefit from what the country has to offer. But what are the living costs for expats in Poland? If you’re considering a move, Foyer Global Health provides a comprehensive guide
Average Living Costs in Poland for 2024
| Average Monthly Salary | 1806€ |
| Rent for a City Center Apartment (Warsaw) | Between 697€ and 1162€ |
| Purchase Price per Square Meter in City Center | 3572€ on average |
| Fuel (1L) | 1.53€ on average |
| Mobile Telecommunication Services | Between 5.8€ and 12€ / Month |
| Groceries | Among the most affordable in Europe |
| Restaurant | Numbeo price index of 35.7, compared to 57.9 in France |
Currency and Exchange Rates in Poland
The national currency in Poland is the Zloty, abbreviated as “PLN.” This currency dates back to the Middle Ages and literally means “golden.”
Currently, one Zloty equals €0.23, or 4.31 Zloty for 1 Euro (as of June 5, 2024).
The Zloty is divided into 100 Groszy. Coins come in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 Groszy, as well as 1, 2, and 5 Zloty. Banknotes are available in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 Zloty.
Accommodation
Poland’s real estate market is very stable. As in most countries, housing prices in Warsaw, the capital, and other major cities are generally higher than in suburban areas.
The average Monthly Rent for an Apartment in Warsaw’s City Center is between PLN 3000 and 5000 (€697.35 – €1162.25), depending on the number of bedrooms and the surface area. Outside the city center, the rent falls between PLN 2,300 and PLN 3,800 (EUR 534.63 to EUR 883.31).
For property purchases, the average price per square meter in Poland’s major cities (Warsaw, Gdansk, Gdynia, Kraków, Łódź and Poznań) is PLN 11,286 (EUR 2,623.43), according to the NBP (National Bank of Poland).
Added to this are energy charges:
● Electricity per kWh: €0.22
● Gas per kWh: €0.085
If your expatriation plans require you to stay in a hotel for a few nights, the prices vary considerably depending on the establishment. You can stay in an entry-level hotel for PLN 239 (EUR 55.56) per night, or a luxury hotel at over PLN 600 PLN (139.47 EUR) per night.
Groceries
Food and grocery shopping in Poland cost about 40% less than in other European countries like France. Agriculture and food processing are significant sectors in Poland.
Residents can shop at grocery stores, supermarkets, or hypermarkets, where they find international brands like Carrefour and Lidl, as well as local brands like Biedronka.
Here’s a comparison of the prices of the most common staple foods in relation to their prices in France:
● Water (1.5L): around €0.47 compared with €0.70 in France
● Milk (1L): €0.89 compared with €1.13 in France
● Rice (1kg): €1.33 compared with €2.20 in France
● Dozen eggs: €2.74 compared with €3.79 in France
● Tomatoes (1kg): €2.52 compared with €3.37 in France
● Red meat (1kg): €10.29 compared with €19.10 in France
● Chicken fillet (1kg): €5.64 compared with €12.88 in France
Transportation
Poland has a well-developed public transportation network, especially in major cities. In Warsaw, you can travel by bus, tram, or metro. The capital is also bike-friendly, with 17,000 kilometers of cycle paths across Poland.
The public transport authority in Poland operates under the name WTP (Warszawski Transport Publiczny, “Warsaw Public Transport”). They offer unified fares for trams, buses, and the metro:
● 20-minute ticket: PLN 3.40
● 75-minute ticket: PLN 4.40
● 90-minute ticket: PLN 7
● 24-hour ticket: between PLN 15 and PLN 26
● 3-day ticket (72h): between 36 PLN and 57 PLN
For drivers: If you plan to travel by car, the average price of a liter of gasoline is €1.53, compared to €1.82 in France.
The health system in Poland
Although Poland offers a comprehensive healthcare system, it lags behind its European neighbors. According to the Euro Health Consumer Index 2024, Poland’s healthcare system ranks low among European countries based on 48 criteria.
To protect yourself and your family, it is recommended to take out private international health insurance to fill gaps in the country’s basic coverage. With such insurance, you can:
- Avoid long waiting times
- Cover costs at all Polish healthcare facilities
- Benefit from extended coverage not included in Polish health insurance
- Access a multilingual contact person
Education
Poland’s education system shines in Europe, as confirmed by several studies. The most recent PISA ranking 2023 (Programme for International Student Assessment) conducted by the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) assesses the performance of education systems.
In mathematics, science, and reading, Poland has ranked in the top 12 out of 78 countries for several years.
The Polish school system starts at age 3 with kindergarten, called “przedszkole.” Education is compulsory until the age of 18, and all schools prepare students for the baccalaureate.
There are local and international schools, such as:
● Lycée français de Varsovie
● Akademeia High School
● Thames British School
● American School of Warsaw
Of course, there are also free public schools.
Telecommunication Services
The cost of telecommunications services in Poland is considerably lower than in other European countries such as France. In general, the average price of a monthly phone plan (calls and data) is between €5.8 and €12.
The cost of a monthly internet subscription in Poland is among the lowest in the world, averaging €11.67.
Leisure
Poland is home to numerous museums, both in its capital and other cities. The average price for museum admission starts at €12.
A cinema ticket costs about €6.52.
The country has 122 natural parks, many of which offer free access. Here are the main nature parks in Poland:
● Barycz Valley Nature Park, with an area of 970.4 square kilometers.
● Przemyśl Foothills Nature Park, with an area of 618.62 square kilometers
● Jaśliska Nature Park, with an area of 299 square kilometers.
Cost of living in Poland by city
Cost of living index for Polish cities in 2024 according to Numbeo:
- Krakow: 42.21
- Warsaw: 45.12
- Katowice: 44.06
- Wroclaw: 43.60
- Gdansk: 42.54
- Rzeszow: 42.26
- Lodz: 42.16
- Szczecin: 40.55
- Lublin: 39.46
These indices, based on several factors, rank Polish cities by their cost of living, from highest to lowest.