Poland's housing market sees ultra‑cheap military apartments as new flats shrink to tiny sizes

The Polish Army's Property Agency (AMW) is auctioning off apartments at prices far below market rates, with some units starting at just 88,000 zł (approximately $22,000). Listings include flats in major cities such as Warsaw, where starting bids range from 14,000 to 20,000 zł per square metre, and cheaper offers in Wrocław, Poznań, and Szczecin with prices as low as 5,500 zł per square metre. Buyers must pay a deposit of 5‑10 % of the opening price and compete in a tender process, while experts warn that renovation costs can add significantly to the final expense.

At the same time, new‑build apartments in Poland are becoming markedly smaller. A typical 42‑square‑metre flat can cost around 400,000 zł, with an open‑plan layout that merges the living room and kitchen and leaves very limited bedroom space. This trend reflects developers’ focus on maximizing the number of units per building, leading to reduced living areas and higher per‑square‑metre prices for buyers. The combination of ultra‑cheap military listings and the shrinking size of modern flats underscores growing affordability pressures in the Polish housing market.