What are the costs of accommodation and food in Poland?

Housing costs in Poland

Purchasing real estate in major cities in Poland can start from the sum of €50-60 thousand. Let's look at global trends: according to Bankier.pl and Otodom.pl, the average price per square meter of a one-bedroom apartment of 40-50 square meters in the third quarter of 2018 was €1885 in Warsaw. In Krakow the price was €1456, in Gdańsk - €1604, in Wrocław - €1469, and in Łódź the cost was much lower - €995 per square meter.

Housing rental

As for rent, it can vary greatly depending on the city and the size of the apartment. In the capital of Poland, starting prices for studios start from €350, while one-bedroom apartments will cost you €450-470. In other Polish cities, rents are lower:

• Gdansk - about €320
• Wroclaw and Krakow - approximately €350
• Poznan - €280
• Lodz, Lublin and Katowice - average €300

If you want to save money, you can consider renting a room, which costs an average of €150-170 in Warsaw.

Housing search

Rentals are not often advertised, and, as a rule, it is done by owners directly. The main platforms for apartment search are Otodom and OLX. Don't be surprised if the landlord starts asking about your job and position when you look at the apartment - this is done to assess your ability to pay. Usually a deposit is also required, which is one or two rents.

Utilities

When renting an apartment, it is important to remember that you will have to pay separately for services such as heating, hot and cold water, electricity, garbage collection and cleaning of common areas. For example, for a one-bedroom apartment with two people living in it, utility costs can be around €100-150 per month. It is also worth considering that internet connection will cost you between €10 and €14.

Garbage sorting is actively practiced in the country.Penalties are imposed for ill-conceived waste segregation.The apartments have shut-off valves on the radiators, which allow you to adjust the heating temperature and also to turn it off if you leave the apartment for a while. In general, Poles are serious about conserving resources such as water and energy and are concerned about protecting the environment. This is not only due to fines, but also reflects their careful attitude to nature.

Examples of residential real estate

Housing prices in Poland can vary considerably. For example, one of the villas on the market costs €1,900,000 and has a total area of 554 square meters with 8 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms. Another villa is priced at €1,601,149 and is offered with 519 square meters consisting of 6 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. There are also other offers such as a 300 m² house with 7 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms which is available for €257,287.

For more information about the properties on offer, it is worth contacting Habita International Estates Ltd. Thus, the process of buying or renting a home in Poland requires careful attention and consideration of many aspects that can significantly affect the final costs and quality of life.I hope the information provided is useful to you and helps you make the right choice in real estate.

Real estate from Habita International Estates Ltd

Habita International Estates Ltd offers a variety of real estate options in Poland. Among them, a magnificent villa with a total area of 350 square meters stands out. This spacious property includes four bedrooms and four bathrooms and is priced at €5,490,000. If you require further information about this property, it is advisable to contact a specialist from Habita.

Their range also includes a smaller villa of 305 square meters, which also has four bedrooms and four bathrooms. It is priced at €701,952 and anyone interested can find out more details by contacting Habita representatives. In addition, the company has six other similar properties in its portfolio, making it possible to find the perfect property to suit the different needs of its clients.

Expenses for everyday needs

In terms of everyday expenses, the cost of food and clothing in the country is significantly lower than in countries such as France and the UK. For example, meat prices in Poland are quite low compared to the rest of Europe. The methods of saving money are also similar to those used in Russia and Belarus. Recommended:

• pay attention to promotions and discounts;
• use rewards cards;
• choose supermarkets' own-brand products;
• favor local products;
• Watch out for discounts of up to 50%, especially on items that are about to expire.

Supermarkets in Poland

Among popular discounters, Polish supermarket chains Bedronka and Zabka are worth mentioning. “Bedronka” can be compared to the Russian ‘Pyatyorochka’ and ‘Dixie’: the assortment is not too wide, but you can find all the necessary products in the store. These stores offer many inexpensive goods of their own brands, often hold promotions, and some of them even have bakeries with delicious fresh baked goods.

The “Zabka” chain, which are self-service stores, is characterized by slightly higher prices, but their opening hours are their advantage - they are open from 6:00 to 23:00, which is noticeably more convenient for customers compared to most supermarkets operating from 8:00 to 22:00. A more expensive alternative is the Piotr i Paweł chain, which is most often located in large shopping centers.

International chains such as Auchan, Carrefour, Kaufland, Lidl, Tesco and Spar can also be found on the Polish market.

Food prices

Food prices in Polish supermarkets are as follows:

• A liter of milk is about 0.6 euros;
• Bread weighing 500 grams is the same amount;
• Two kilograms of flour is 0.4 euros;
• A dozen eggs is 1.5-2.0 euros;
• Rice - 0.8-1.0 euros per kilogram;
• Local cheese is 4.0-7.0 euros per kilogram;
• Butter (200 g) - 1.2 euros;
• Sour cream (330 g) - 0.6-0.8 euros;
• Cottage cheese (200 g) - 0.5-0.8 euros;
• Chicken breasts (1 kg) - 3.6 euros;
• Pork (1 kg) - 3.7 euros;
• Beef (loin, 1 kg) - 8.0 euros;
• Turkey fillet (400 g) - about 2.0 euros.

Prices for fruits and vegetables

The price of fruits and vegetables also pleases with its variety:

• A kilogram of apples - from 0.7 to 1.0 euros;
• Bananas - 1.0 euros;
• Oranges - 1.0 euros;
• Tomatoes - from 1.2 to 2.0 euros per kilogram;
• Potatoes - 0.4 euros;
• Onions - 0.5 euros;
• A kilogram of cucumbers is 1.2-1.5 euros;
• Sweet peppers - 1.6-2.2 euros;
• 1.5 liters of water - 0.4 euros;
• A bottle of wine is 4.0-7.0 euros;
• A bucket of beer is 0.6-1.4 euros;
• Cigarettes - from 2.8 to 3.5 euros.

Final food expenses

Thus, with a couple of people in the family, you can plan monthly grocery expenses within the range of 200 to 270 euros, which depends on personal preferences and the level of savings. It is worth noting that throughout the year there is a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Locals also emphasize the high quality of meat and dairy products, which makes everyday meals not only affordable, but also tasty and healthy.

Fast food and cafes in Poland

Poland offers a wide variety in fast food, restaurants and cafes, and has a rich baking culture. If you plan to go to McDonald's, keep in mind that a burger with two patties will cost around €3.0. A standard portion of fries will cost €1.1 and a medium latte will cost around €2.3. If you are interested in combo menus, they usually cost around €4.2.

Polish-style cafe

Polish cafes, which can be called canteens, are becoming increasingly popular. Here you can choose your own meals, and the final cost will depend on the weight of the portions you choose. These places are usually located in shopping centers, and they have a nice feature - in the evening hours, after 19:00-20:00, there are discounts. The menu ranges from flavorful soups and side dishes to various meat and fish dishes, salads, drinks and desserts.

For lunch, you can spend between €4.5 and €5.0, while dinner can cost in the neighborhood of €3.0-3.5.

Kortschmas

Another popular option are korchmas - cozy roadside cafes with traditional Polish cuisine. The average check for two people here is about €15, but be aware that the portions are very large - even a strong man may not be able to cope with a full meal consisting of meat, side dish and salad.

Prices in regular cafes

Prices in regular cafes can vary greatly depending on location, especially if you are in the center of tourist activity. For example, a dinner for two in a good restaurant in such a neighborhood can cost €25.

• Duck with cranberry sauce
• A glass of wine
• Salmon steak with potatoes

A liter glass of beer in a restaurant costs about €2.0-2.5. Breakfast and lunch are usually inexpensive, especially if you take advantage of special offers. For example, lunch can be ordered for €5.0-6.0 and breakfast for €3.0-3.5.

Prices for clothing and footwear

As far as fashion is concerned, Poland is characterized by very attractive prices for clothes and shoes, which are among the lowest in Europe. Words“rabata”.or“promocja”really mean a discount and not just a promotional move. Big sales take place in winter from December 24 and in summer from June 25.

You can buy during this period:

• Men's boots for €9
• A sweater for €7
• A T-shirt for just €2-3

Where to shop

An important place for shopping is the Outlet Factory, which offers many inexpensive and high-quality clothes. Supermarkets such as Biedronka, Auchan, Tesco and Lidl are also good shopping options. Popular brands including Monnari, H&M, Badura, Martes Sport and Pepco often run sales with big discounts.

Work in Poland

If you are interested in possible jobs in Poland, it is recommended to find out where to look for vacancies, how to get a job and what salaries you can expect. Useful information on issues such as investments, immigration and real estate is available on our Telegram channel.

Public transportation and communication

As for the transportation system and communication, public transportation in Poland is notable for its comfort, efficiency and accessibility.

In Warsaw, there is a variety of tickets for using public transportation that are available for a certain period of time. For example, a 75-minute ticket will cost only €1.0, while a 95-minute ticket costs already €1.7. If we are talking about monthly passes, their price will depend on the number of routes they cover. For two routes, the price ranges between €16 and €18. You can buy tickets from the driver or use the vending machines at bus stops. Students and pupils can take advantage of a generous discount of50%.

Traveling around the country

As for domestic train travel, the level of comfort is quite high, although there are no lie-flat seats. You can travel the whole of Poland in ten hours, and a ticket for a high-speed train from Warsaw to Gdansk will cost €23. Passengers can enjoy free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, comfortable seats and have access to electrical outlets and tables for working on a laptop.

• Complimentary drinks: water, tea and coffee.
• Opportunity to buy a ticket for a quiet carriage where silence is required.
• Regular trains are half the price, but the level of convenience is noticeably lower.

Bicycle rental

With the onset of spring and summer, renting a bicycle is a good option. There are many automated rental stations in Poland where you can borrow a bicycle. You only pay €0.5 for one hour of rental, and if you manage to get to the next rental station in 20 minutes, you can save this amount and ride without paying.

Taxis and cars

As for transportation, the average cost of a cab ride is about €0.5 per kilometer. The minimum amount per trip will be €1.5. Payment can be made either in cash or by bank card. On the secondary car market in Poland you can find quite affordable cars. For example, a Volkswagen Golf VI with a mileage of about 200 thousand kilometers can be purchased for about €5.7 thousand.

• Leasing a new car can be a favorable solution, as companies take care of all maintenance, insurance and inspection.
• It is convenient to use calculators to calculate the cost of a loan or lease.

Fuel prices

Petrol and diesel prices in Poland are around €1.1 per liter. However, most of the country's citizens prefer diesel cars or convert their cars to gas, as the price of gas is only €0.5 per liter. Installing gas equipment can cost around €450 to €500.

It is also important to take into account the annual car insurance: if you do not have a Polish insurance history, this service will cost about €500; if you do, the cost is halved. In addition, after six months of residence in Poland, you will need to exchange your Russian driver's license for a local one.

Mobile communication and the internet

When it comes to mobile communications and internet, the most popular operators on the Polish market are T-Mobile, Orange Polska, Play and Plus. The prices for tariff plans of these operators are similar.

• The tariff from Plus for €7 includes unlimited minutes and messages to numbers of all Polish operators.
• It also provides 5GB of internet traffic.

Health insurance in Poland

In Poland, health insurance is a mandatory requirement for those who are officially employed. 9% of your salary is automatically deducted from your salary for the health care system. If only one person in your family is employed, their health insurance also covers their spouse and children, which makes access to health care much easier.

Identification of citizens

A unique PESEL number consisting of 11 characters is used to identify Polish citizens. This code includes information on date of birth, gender and personal identifier. Your PESEL number will be useful in many different situations, whether you are dealing with tax authorities, visiting a hospital or applying for loans. If you go to a private clinic and want to receive your test results electronically, be sure to include your PESEL number when you register.

Problems with physician shortages

Poland is facing a serious shortage of medical specialists, as many of them leave to work in other European countries where working conditions and salaries are much more attractive. This leads to long queues in public polyclinics, especially for narrow specialists.

One of the options to reduce the waiting time is to make an appointment for a fee, but such services cost between 25 and 50 euros. Nevertheless, once a year you have the right to take tests for free if you get a referral from your doctor and choose a specialist, for example, through the ZnanyLekarz platform.

Services in health care facilities

In public health care facilities, the level of service is generally high and the doctors are usually well qualified. However, if you want to avoid long waiting times and receive better services, you should consider buying private medical insurance. Its prices range from 70 to 90 euros per month and can significantly increase your comfort level when receiving medical care.

Prices for medications

As for the prices of medicines, they are slightly higher in Poland than in Russia. However, only some medicines can be freely purchased without a prescription, such as:

• vitamins
• antipyretics
• nasal drops
• antihistamines
• cough suppressants
• bandages
• herbal teas for colds

To get more serious medications, such as antibiotics or insulin, you will need a prescription from your doctor.

Sports and leisure activities

You should also pay attention to the possibility of active recreation and sports in Poland. Here you can often see people riding bicycles or jogging. There are exercise machines in parks, which are popular with locals. Swimming pools are also popular; the cost of one hour's visit varies from 3 to 7 euros. Prices for gym passes can vary depending on the region and type of facility, and average between €20 and €40 per month. For movie lovers, a visit to a movie theater will cost 2.5-4.0 euros.

BeActive card for students

There is a special BeActive card for students in Poland, which can be obtained by presenting a valid student card. This card offers the opportunity to save significantly on visits to sports facilities, making exercise more affordable. An unlimited monthly gym membership costs 23 euros, which makes sports affordable and attractive for young people.

Conclusion

In conclusion, having studied the housing market and the cost of living in Poland, I have come to the conclusion that this country offers significant opportunities for investment and comfortable living. Buying real estate in major cities such as Warsaw and Krakow may require an impressive investment, but given the stable economic growth and attractive conditions, it can be a profitable investment for the future.

Renting also remains affordable, especially for those who choose smaller cities or share accommodation with others. This approach not only allows for significant savings, but also gives you the opportunity to meet new people and cultures. It's important to remember that utilities must be added to the cost of rent, which makes financial planning even more relevant.

Cost of food products

The situation on the food market in Poland is also pleasing: it remains competitive compared to other European countries. Low prices for basic products, availability of promotions and discounts make life comfortable even if the budget is limited.

• Poland offers high quality locally produced products.
• Supermarkets run regular promotions, allowing you to save money on your purchases.

Environmental responsibility

From an environmental point of viewPoles have a very responsible approach to nature conservation. Separate waste collection and thrifty consumption of resources is not just a requirement, but part of the cultural code of the society. This becomes an important research aspect for those who want to move to Poland.

Result

The bottom line is that Poland offers many pluses for both living and investing. I highly recommend exploring the opportunities this country offers and, if necessary, contacting professionals for advice and assistance in finding a home. This way, everyone will be able to find the right solution for them.