Poland housing market faces rising costs and rental gaps

Poland is facing significant housing challenges, characterized by a widening gap between income and property costs. Approximately 40% of Poles are currently in a ‘rent gap,’ earning too little to purchase a home but struggling to afford market-rate rentals. In major cities like Warsaw and Zakopane, transaction prices have reached averages of 16,000 PLN per square meter, making a typical 50-square-meter apartment cost between 600,000 and 800,000 PLN.

While rental costs as a percentage of income have slightly decreased due to wage growth outpacing rent increases, the financial burden remains high. For many, renting is currently more affordable than paying mortgage installments, which can reach 4,000 to 5,000 PLN monthly.

To address these issues, municipal governments provide social and communal housing, though eligibility criteria—such as income levels and living conditions—vary by municipality. Additionally, Polish State Railways (PKP) has listed several properties for sale at significantly lower prices, with some apartments starting at 36,000 PLN net, though these often require extensive renovation.