Student Housing in Poland: Dorms, Private Rooms, Deposits and Registration
Fee figures: catalogue of 6 October 2026.
In Poland student housing is run by the universities themselves. There is no separate national housing organisation. Places in student houses are cheap but limited, so most students rent privately at some point. This guide covers both options and the paperwork that follows.
University student houses
Most public universities own student houses (*domy studenckie*, often called *akademiki*). You apply to your own university, usually online, once you are admitted. Each university sets its own dates and rules, so ask the admissions or international office early.
Prices are set each year by the rector or chancellor and published in an official price list. Three examples for 2026/27:
| University | Monthly price per person (2026/27) |
|---|---|
| Medical University of Warsaw | 776 zł (about €178) in a double room 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) in a double room, utilities and internet included |
| University of the National Education Commission, Kraków | 720 zł (about €165) in a double room without a bathroom, 850–980 zł (about €194–224) with a bathroom; single rooms 950–1,300 zł (about €217–297) |
Students of other universities may pay more: in Kraków, for example, a place in a double room without a bathroom costs them 860 zł instead of 720 zł. Expect a few extra charges:
- Deposit. Kraków's University of the National Education Commission and the University of Rzeszów both take a deposit of one month's fee when you move in.
- Reservation fee. In Kraków you must pay 850 zł within seven days of being offered a place. It counts towards the first month.
- Room rules. Prices for double rooms usually assume two people. Living alone in a double costs much more.
Renting privately
Most students who do not get a dorm place rent a room in a shared flat or a small studio. Rents are highest in Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław and Gdańsk. There is no official rent figure for students, so compare several listings in the district you want.
When reading an offer, check:
- whether the rent includes service charges (*czynsz administracyjny*), utilities and internet;
- the length of the contract and the notice period;
- the deposit (*kaucja*) and when it is returned;
- whether the landlord will confirm your stay for address registration.
Contract and deposit
Always sign a written rental contract (*umowa najmu*). You need it for address registration and, if you are from outside the EU, to document housing costs in your residence permit application.
For renting a flat, the tenant protection law limits the deposit to twelve months' rent. The landlord must return it within one month after you move out, minus any rent or charges you still owe. In practice landlords commonly ask for about one month's rent. Note the condition of the flat in writing, with photos, when you move in.
Address registration
Poland requires you to register where you live (*zameldowanie*) at the town hall:
- EU, EEA and Swiss citizens staying more than three months register by the 30th day after moving in, and can do it online.
- Other foreigners register in person by the fourth day.
Bring your passport and the rental contract. If you are not the owner, the landlord confirms your stay on the form. Registration is free. A certificate of temporary registration costs 17 zł (about €4).
Avoiding scams
Do not pay a deposit or rent before you have seen the room, in person or on a live video call, and checked that the person is the owner or has the right to rent it out. Be wary of prices far below the local market and of landlords who refuse to sign a contract or allow registration. See finding student housing in Europe without being scammed.
Tips
- Apply for a student house as soon as your university opens applications.
- Budget for the deposit and the first month together, often double your rent.
- Keep utility bills and your contract: the voivodeship office asks for them with the residence permit. See student visa for Poland.
Where to look next
- How much it costs to study in Poland
- How to get into a university in Poland
- Student visa for Poland
- NAWA recognition for Poland
Official sources
- Study in Poland: accommodation
- Gov.pl: address registration for foreigners (in Polish)
- Tenant protection law, art. 6 (in Polish)
- University of the National Education Commission, Kraków: student house prices 2026/27 (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.