How Much Does It Cost to Study in Poland? Tuition Fees and Housing
Fee figures: catalogue of 6 October 2026.
In Poland the price of a degree depends on two things: your status and the language of the programme. Full-time study in Polish at a public university is free for Poles and EU citizens. Students from outside the EU pay the fee each university sets, and programmes taught in English are usually paid by everyone.
Who studies for free
By law, public universities charge no tuition for full-time study in Polish to:
- citizens of the EU, the EEA and Switzerland;
- holders of the Karta Polaka (Pole's Card) or a decision confirming Polish origin;
- holders of the state certificate of Polish as a foreign language at level C1 or higher;
- permanent residents and EU long-term residents;
- refugees and people under temporary or subsidiary protection in Poland;
- spouses, parents and children of Polish citizens who live in Poland, and some other holders of residence permits.
A university can also waive fees for an individual foreigner by the rector's decision, and NAWA scholarship holders may be exempt. "Free" covers full-time study in Polish only: part-time (weekend) study is paid, and programmes in a foreign language can be charged to everyone.
What other students pay at public universities
Non-EU students outside these groups pay a fee per programme, set each year by the rector. In our catalogue the typical figure for a non-EU student at a public university is €2,288 a year. Some art and music academies charge foreigners much more.
Programmes taught in English are usually paid by EU and Polish students too. The most expensive are English-taught Medicine and Dentistry at the public medical universities, which reach €22,000 a year for Dentistry in Warsaw. Medicine taught in Polish, by contrast, is free for EU citizens.
Private universities
Private institutions set their own prices for everyone. The typical fee in our catalogue is €1,762 a year for EU students and €1,844 for non-EU students, rising to €17,390 for Medicine. Many private universities let you pay in monthly instalments, which often costs a little more in total than paying for the year at once.
Other costs at enrolment
- Application fee. Each university charges a fee per application. For 2026/27 it is 85 zł (about €19) for most programmes at universities such as the West Pomeranian University of Technology and the University of the National Education Commission in Kraków, and 150 zł (about €34) where there is an aptitude exam.
- Translations and recognition. Sworn translations of your documents and, if needed, the NAWA statement on your school certificate.
- Residence permit fees for non-EU students, paid to the regional office.
Housing
Student houses (*domy studenckie*) run by universities are the cheapest option. For 2026/27, two examples from official price lists:
| University | Place in a double room, per month (2026/27) |
|---|---|
| Medical University of Warsaw | 776 zł (about €178) for Polish-taught students, 1,019 zł (about €233) for English-taught students; shared bathroom |
| University of Life Sciences in Lublin | 650–1,040 zł (about €149–238), utilities and internet included |
Places are limited, so apply as soon as the university opens applications for student houses. Renting a room privately costs more, especially in Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław and Gdańsk. See how to find student housing in Europe.
Money for the visa and residence permit
For a temporary residence permit for study, a non-EU student must show:
- monthly funds, after housing costs, above the social-assistance income threshold for a single person, which is 1,010 zł (about €231) a month;
- money for the journey home: 2,500 zł (about €572) for most non-EU countries;
- proof that tuition for the semester or year has been paid, if the programme is fee-paying;
- health insurance.
Bank statements, a scholarship letter or a sponsor's funds can serve as proof. See health insurance for students in Europe.
How to keep costs down
- Check your status first. A Karta Polaka, permanent residence or a C1 Polish certificate can turn a paid programme into a free one.
- If you are willing to learn Polish, Polish-taught programmes cost far less than English-taught ones, even for non-EU students.
- Compare fees between universities: the same field can cost very different amounts in different cities.
- Apply early for a place in a student house.
- Look at scholarships and financial aid in Europe, including NAWA programmes.
Where to look next
Official sources
- Law on Higher Education and Science, art. 79 and art. 324 (in Polish)
- Study in Poland: official portal of NAWA and the Ministry of Science
- Regulation on funds for foreign students (in Polish)
- Medical University of Warsaw: student house prices 2026/27 (in Polish)
Always check current information on the official website of the university before you apply.