Polish Holding Hotel to boost sanatorium rooms as Poland's senior population soars

Polish Holding Hotel (PHH) announced a major upgrade of its sanatorium portfolio to meet rising demand from an ageing society. Of the group’s 53 hotel and sanatorium properties, 12 will undergo extensive renovation and six will be demolished and rebuilt with larger, modern facilities. The first two projects – in Kołobrzeg (Chalkozyn) and Dąbki (Geovita) – will raise the number of treatment rooms from 90 to 300, involve an investment of about 150 million zł, and are slated for completion by 2029. PHH has secured a total budget of more than 430 million zł for the expansion.

Poland’s demographic trends underline the need for such capacity. Over‑60s now make up roughly 25 % of the 37 million‑strong population, and projections suggest that by 2050 seniors will exceed 40 % (about 14 million people). Waiting times for a sanatorium cure are already seven to eight months, with the longest delays in the Pomeranian, Silesian, Masovian and West‑Pomeranian regions. The expansion aims to shorten queues and serve the growing number of seniors who increasingly use sanatoria for health and recreation.

A recent CBOS poll reflects changing perceptions of age in Poland: respondents now define youth up to age 39 and old age starting after 67, a shift from 1998 when youth ended at 35. Elderly Poles are also more active online (66 % use the internet) and engage in travel, culture and sports, underscoring the broader societal impact of the ageing demographic.