Cheaper apartments. In these competitions it’s possible

In big cities, apartments are really expensive. Many young Poles who want to move out of their parents’ house are forced to rent only a room because they cannot afford the entire apartment. It is most expensive, understandably, in large urban centers.

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in big cities?

As for the current prices (October 2024), they are as follows:

Warsaw: The most expensive city in terms of rent. The average monthly cost of renting a studio apartment is approximately PLN 3,500-4,000, a two-room apartment costs PLN 4,500-5,500, and a three- or four-room apartment can cost from PLN 6,000 and up.

Kraków: The second largest rental market. Renting a studio apartment costs approximately PLN 3,000-3,500, a two-room apartment costs PLN 4,000-5,000, and larger apartments cost PLN 5,000 and more.

Wrocław: The average cost of renting a studio apartment is from PLN 2,800 to PLN 3,500, two-room apartments are around PLN 3,500-4,500, and larger apartments cost from PLN 4,500.

Poznań: The cost of renting a studio apartment ranges from PLN 2,500-3,000, a two-room apartment costs approximately PLN 3,000-4,000, and larger apartments cost approximately PLN 4,000-4,500.

Gdańsk: The average cost of renting a studio apartment is PLN 2,800-3,500, a two-room apartment is approximately PLN 3,500-4,500, and larger apartments cost from PLN 4,500 and up.

Łódź: Prices are slightly lower here. Renting a studio apartment costs approximately PLN 2,000-2,700, a two-room apartment costs approximately PLN 3,000-3,500, and larger apartments may cost PLN 3,500 or more.

Free apartment? It’s possible, but…

However, the list is not long. Service employees can afford such a luxury. Employed in the border guard, police, army or forest guard. Free accommodation is not always an option, and sometimes only a housing allowance.

Professional soldiers have the right to accommodation for the duration of their service in the town where the soldier serves. Alternatively, a town nearby may also be considered.

According to the Military Property Agency, soldier accommodation is provided in one of the following forms:

• allocation of accommodation or other residential premises

• allocation of a place in a boarding school or dormitory accommodation

• housing benefit payment (between PLN 450 and PLN 1,500 per month)

Police officers in Poland have the opportunity to apply for official housing or housing benefits, but this is not free housing for every officer. The housing allowance for police officers is PLN 142.50 per month (if he lives alone) or PLN 285 (if he lives with his family).

Border Guard officers have a slightly higher housing allowance than police officers. The rate is between PLN 238 and PLN 450 per month. Border Guard officers may receive a service apartment if their service requires transfer to another place where securing accommodation may be difficult. Such apartments are granted, but of course depending on their availability and the needs of a specific unit.

Foresters are another group that has certain benefits related to accommodation due to their profession. People employed in the State Forests as foresters or forest managers can count on housing benefits. In the case of foresters, a popular form of official accommodation are forester’s lodges, which are residential premises belonging to a given forestry. While performing his functions, a forester usually lives in a forester’s lodge, which allows him to have constant contact with the area for which he is responsible.

However, such accommodation is not completely free. Usage costs (rent, utilities, etc.) are usually deducted from the salary, but are much lower than market prices. It all depends on the contract concluded with the forester’s employer, i.e. the State Forests.