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

Education & Schools

Schools, universities, and language courses in Poland.

👶 Childcare & Kindergarten

Żłobek (Public Nursery) 0–600 zł/month (income-tested, heavily subsidised)

Age: 20 weeks – 3 years

Subsidy available

Dofinansowanie żłobkowe: government subsidy of 1,500–1,900 zł/month per child available via the Aktywna Mama programme (2024+). Plus "Maluch+" co-financing programme for local authorities. Actual parent cost often 0–200 zł/month for eligible families.

Apply via local gmina (municipality) portal or directly to public żłobek. Document income for subsidy calculation. Proof of address and birth certificate required.

⏱️ Apply in January for September placement. Demand exceeds supply in Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław. Apply to multiple public żłobki simultaneously. Private nurseries are available immediately at 1,500–3,000 zł/month.

Prywatny Żłobek (Private Nursery) 1,500–3,500 zł/month

Age: 20 weeks – 3 years

Subsidy available

Same government subsidies apply to private nurseries (Aktywna Mama programme — up to 1,900 zł/month offset). Real cost after subsidy: 0–1,500 zł/month depending on facility.

Contact private nursery directly. Register child. Application of government subsidy handled by the nursery via system.

⏱️ Often available immediately. Many offer English-language programmes (suitable for expat children).

Przedszkole (Kindergarten/Preschool) 0–450 zł/month (public). Meals extra: ~150–200 zł/month

Age: 3–6 years

Subsidy available

Public przedszkole is free for 5-hour core session. Extended hours (above 5h) charged at max 1 zł/hour (public). Meal fees additional. Some private przedszkola with Polish or bilingual programmes: 600–2,000 zł/month.

Register via municipal online portal (e.g. Nabór in Warsaw). Required documents: birth certificate, PESEL, address confirmation.

⏱️ Apply via gmina portal in February/March for September. Waitlists exist in cities. Children aged 6 must attend (obowiązkowe roczne przygotowanie przedszkolne).

🏫 Schools

Szkoła Podstawowa (Primary School) Free

Szkoła Podstawowa

Ages: 6/7 – 14 years (Classes 1–8) · Language: Polish

Assigned to school in catchment area (rejonizacja). Contact local school or gmina education office. Required: birth certificate with Polish translation, PESEL, proof of address. Newly arrived children with limited Polish are entitled to support (introductory class — oddział przygotowawczy) for up to one year.

School uniforms are not mandatory at national level (some schools have own dress codes). School starts in September. Compulsory from age 7 (or 6 for those who attended przedszkole). English is a required subject from Class 1.

Liceum / Technikum (Secondary School) Free

Liceum Ogólnokształcące / Technikum

Ages: 14–18/19 years · Language: Polish

Apply to chosen school after completing szkoła podstawowa. Selection based on grades and standardised test scores (egzamin ósmoklasisty). International students should contact the school directly and provide grade transcripts with translation.

Liceum (general): 4 years, ends with Matura exam (university entry). Technikum (vocational/technical): 5 years, ends with Matura + technical certificate. Branżowa szkoła (trade school): 3 years, vocational qualification. Extended-hours language classes (klasy dwujęzyczne) available in many schools.

International Schools

Warsaw has the largest number of international schools in Poland. American School of Warsaw, British School Warsaw, International School of Warsaw (IB), and Montessori schools are popular among expats. Fees: 30,000–80,000 zł/year. Kraków, Wrocław, and Gdańsk also have international schools. For toddlers and young children: multiple English-language nurseries and kindergartens in major cities.

University

Tuition fee

Public universities: free for EU citizens who study in Polish. English-language programmes: 10,000–35,000 zł/year. Private universities: 7,000–25,000 zł/year. Top-ranked: University of Warsaw, Jagiellonian University (Kraków), Warsaw University of Technology, AGH (Kraków).

Semester fee

No semester fee for public universities in Polish-language programmes. Administrative fees: 0–500 zł/semester. Student ID (legitymacja studencka) gives 50% discount on public transport.

Student visa

Non-EU students require a student visa (D) obtained at Polish consulate. After arrival, apply for Karta Pobytu (residence card for student). EU students: just register residence.

Health insurance

Students enrolled at Polish universities can access NFZ healthcare. Must register for NFZ through the university (uczelnia). Non-EU students can join NFZ voluntarily or through university enrollment. EHIC valid for EU students temporarily.

Application process

Apply directly to universities via IRK (Internetowa Rejestracja Kandydatów) portals. Matura results or foreign equivalent required. Non-Polish foreign qualifications may need recognition by NAWA. Application deadline: June–July for October start.

🗣️ Language Courses

Polish Language Course for Foreigners

Provider: Various schools of Polish: Polonicum (Warsaw), Jagiellonian University (Kraków), private language schools · Duration: 1–3 months intensive; or long-term semester courses · Levels: A1–C2

600–3,000 zł for 60–120 hour intensive course

Polish is required for permanent residence (stały pobyt) — B1 level or Polish state certificate. Also needed for naturalisation. Free Polish courses for Ukrainian refugees available via local gminas.

Kurs polskiego dla cudzoziemców (State-sponsored)

Provider: PUP (local employment offices) and NGOs · Duration: 60–240 hours · Levels: A1–B1

Free (for registered job seekers or specific programmes)

Available for non-EU immigrants, refugees, and registered job seekers. Ask at your local PUP.

Premium Section

Education & Schools

Unlock the complete Education & Schools guide for Poland — including every detail, document, tip and link you need.

Become a Supporter

Support the guide on Ko-fi · Unlocks every premium section, everywhere