Poland (PL)
Poland is the largest country in Central Europe and a dynamic EU member state with one of the fastest-growing economies in Europe over the past two decades.
Capital: Warsaw
Region: Europe
Language: Polish
Currency: PLN (zł)
Cost of living: Affordable (index 43)
Emergency: 112
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Cost of Living
Real prices in Poland — 2026 data in PLN.
43
Cost of living index
(100 = NYC reference)
Affordable compared to most Western countries. Good value for the quality of life offered.
Rent
Studio / 1-bedroom apartment — Warsaw city centre 2,800–4,500 zł/month
Studio / 1-bedroom apartment — Warsaw suburbs 2,000–3,200 zł/month
2-bedroom apartment — Warsaw city centre 4,500–7,000 zł/month
2-bedroom apartment — Kraków centre 3,500–5,500 zł/month
2-bedroom apartment — Wrocław / Poznań / Gdańsk centre 3,000–5,000 zł/month
2-bedroom apartment — smaller cities 1,800–3,000 zł/month
Food & Groceries
Bread (loaf) 4–8 zł
Milk (1 litre) 3.50–5 zł
Eggs (12-pack) 10–18 zł
Chicken breast (1 kg) 18–28 zł
Pork loin (1 kg) 15–22 zł
Potatoes (1 kg) 2–4 zł
Apples (1 kg) 3–6 zł
Weekly grocery shop for 2 (Biedronka/Lidl) 200–350 zł/week
Dining Out
Bar Mleczny (milk bar) meal 20–35 zł
Fast food meal (McDonald's / KFC set) 25–40 zł
Lunch in local restaurant (main course) 30–55 zł
Dinner for 2 in mid-range restaurant 150–280 zł
Fine dining dinner for 2 (with wine) 400–800 zł
Coffee (cappuccino) 12–18 zł
Beer (0.5L) in a pub 12–22 zł
Zapiekanka (street food) 10–20 zł
Pierogi (plate of 6–8) 25–45 zł
Transport
Single public transport ticket (Warsaw/Kraków) 4.40–6 zł
Monthly transit pass (Warsaw) 110–190 zł
Bolt/Uber (per km, city) 1.50–2.50 zł/km + base
Taxi (Warsaw airport to centre) 50–80 zł
PKP train Warsaw–Kraków (EIP express) 79–149 zł (standard class)
FlixBus Warsaw–Kraków 25–60 zł
Petrol (95 unleaded, per litre) 5.80–6.50 zł
Monthly car parking (city centre Warsaw) 400–800 zł/month
Health & Insurance
GP visit (private, without NFZ) 120–200 zł
Specialist visit (private) 200–400 zł
Dental check-up (private) 150–250 zł
Blood test panel (private lab) 100–300 zł
Private health insurance (basic plan, monthly) 100–300 zł/month
Prescription medicine (co-payment with NFZ) 5–30 zł (partially reimbursed)
Eye test 100–200 zł
Childcare
Public nursery (żłobek, monthly after subsidies) 0–300 zł/month
Private nursery (żłobek prywatny) 1,500–3,500 zł/month
Public kindergarten (above 5h/day) ~50–200 zł/month
International school (annual) 35,000–80,000 zł/year
University (English programme, annual) 10,000–35,000 zł/year
Polish language course (60h) 600–1,500 zł
Leisure
Cinema ticket 22–40 zł
Gym membership (monthly) 100–250 zł
Xtreme Fitness / Pure Gym (mid-range) 100–160 zł/month
Museum entry 15–40 zł (free on Sundays in many state museums)
Theatre / Opera ticket 50–250 zł
Football match ticket (Ekstraklasa) 30–120 zł
Netflix monthly subscription 29–49 zł/month
Spotify monthly 23.99 zł/month
Utilities
Utilities (electricity, gas, internet) for 65 m² 350–650 zł/month
Home broadband internet (100+ Mbps, monthly) 50–90 zł/month
Mobile plan (unlimited calls + 30GB data) 30–60 zł/month
Mobile plan (unlimited calls + unlimited data) 50–90 zł/month
SIM card starter 5–30 zł (many free with first top-up)
Cost of Living
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