Poland is an increasingly popular destination for international students. The country offers a broad range of degree programs, while tuition fees and living costs vary considerably by university, program, city, and student status.
International students in Poland need to budget for tuition, housing, health insurance, transportation, food, and other everyday expenses. This article provides current examples of the academic and living costs students may encounter. Because universities and service providers regularly revise their fees, students should always confirm the latest amounts before applying or signing a housing contract.
Costs of Studying in Poland
Academic Costs / Tuition Fees
Tuition fees in Poland are set by each university and program. Poland’s official study portal indicates that many fee-paying programs cost approximately €2,000 to €6,000 per year. However, actual fees may be lower or substantially higher, particularly for medical, specialized, and joint-degree programs.
At public universities, full-time Polish-language studies are tuition-free for Polish citizens and international students who are entitled to study on the same terms as Polish citizens. Other international students generally pay tuition, and English-taught programs may have separate fee rules. For example, the University of Warsaw’s 2026–2027 fee schedule lists annual tuition of €2,200 for English Studies and €1,000 for African Studies for students in its standard non-EU fee category. These programs are therefore not generally tuition-free for non-EU students. Scholarships and statutory fee exemptions may still apply in individual cases.
Education in a Polish doctoral school is tuition-free for both Polish and international doctoral students, including doctoral programs conducted in English. Applicants should distinguish doctoral-school education from postgraduate certificates, non-degree programs, and other forms of study that may charge tuition.
| INSTITUTION NAME | UNDERGRADUATE TUITION | POSTGRADUATE TUITION |
|---|
| University of Warsaw | Program-specific; English Studies is free for students in the EU/EFTA/Swiss fee category and €2,200 per year for students in the standard non-EU fee category | Program-specific; African Studies is free for students in the EU/EFTA/Swiss fee category and €1,000 per year for students in the standard non-EU fee category |
| Wrocław University of Science and Technology | PLN 8,600 to PLN 12,700 per semester for English-taught programs | PLN 7,900 to PLN 32,500 per semester for English-taught programs |
| Warsaw University of Technology | €2,340 to €6,830 per semester for students in the non-EU fee category | €1,800 to €8,000 per semester for students in the non-EU fee category |
| Adam Mickiewicz University | PLN 0 to PLN 4,000 per semester, depending on the program and fee category | PLN 0 to PLN 4,000 per semester, depending on the program and fee category |
| Jagiellonian University | Program-specific; the BA in European Studies costs €4,400 per year for the 2026–2027 intake | Program-specific; the MA in European Studies costs €4,500 per year for the 2026–2027 intake |
The amounts above are current program examples or published fee ranges rather than university-wide averages. Tuition may depend on citizenship, residence status, scholarship eligibility, and the chosen field of study. Students should confirm the fee shown on the individual program page before submitting an application.
Other Academic Costs
In addition to tuition, international students may need to pay an application fee. Polish universities normally state these fees in Polish złoty rather than euros. For the 2026–2027 admissions cycle, Poznań University of Technology charges PLN 85 for most programs without an entrance examination, PLN 100 for programs with an entrance examination, and PLN 150 for Architecture.
Students must also maintain health insurance appropriate to their immigration and enrollment status. For a Polish national visa, qualifying travel medical insurance generally needs at least €30,000 in coverage and must cover emergency medical care, urgent hospitalization, medical repatriation, and death. Eligible students may instead enroll in Poland’s public health insurance system. Current university guidance lists the voluntary National Health Fund, or NFZ, student contribution at PLN 55.80 per month.
Other institutional charges vary. At the University of Warsaw, for example, a traditional electronic student ID card costs PLN 22. Students who have a PESEL identification number can use the free digital mStudent ID instead. Universities may charge additional fees for replacement documents, optional activities, or specific administrative services.
Costs of Living in Poland
1. Warsaw
As Poland’s capital and largest city, Warsaw generally has higher housing and everyday expenses than many smaller Polish cities. Costs nevertheless vary considerably according to the type of accommodation and the student’s lifestyle.
The University of Warsaw currently estimates that a student may need approximately PLN 3,000 to PLN 5,000 per month. Its guidance lists university residence halls at approximately PLN 480 to PLN 1,100 per month, a room in a shared apartment from around PLN 1,600, food from approximately PLN 700, and a discounted monthly public transportation pass at PLN 55. Warsaw University of Technology’s published 2026–2027 dormitory rates range from PLN 420 to PLN 770 per month, depending on the residence and room type, with an additional refundable guarantee payment.
2. Kraków
Kraków is a major university city with a wide range of student housing. The total cost of living depends heavily on whether a student obtains a university residence place or rents privately.
For one current institutional benchmark, AGH University of Science and Technology’s published 2026–2027 schedule lists monthly residence-hall charges of PLN 550 to PLN 650 for eligible AGH students from October 1, 2026, depending on the room and residence standard. Private-rental prices vary by location, room type, and whether utilities are included. Students should budget separately for food, public transportation, telephone service, study materials, and personal expenses.
3. Gdańsk
Gdańsk is a coastal university city where housing costs vary according to location, season, and accommodation type. The University of Gdańsk currently advises students to budget approximately PLN 900 per month for a place in a university residence hall. The university has indicated that the final residence price list for the 2026–2027 academic year will be published separately.
Residence-hall capacity is limited, and the quoted amount generally refers to one place rather than an entire private room. Private rent, food, and transportation costs should be checked close to the date of enrollment because local market prices can change significantly.
Ways to Minimize Academic and Living Costs in Poland
Scholarships for International Students
Scholarships can help reduce the cost of studying in Poland, but eligibility, award amounts, and permitted uses differ. Some awards are based on academic or extracurricular achievement, while others consider financial need or a student’s legal status. Students should review the current regulations and application notice for each scholarship rather than assuming that an award automatically covers tuition, accommodation, and food.
Part-time Work for International Students
International students may be able to work while studying to help with their expenses. Poland does not impose a general statutory limit of 20 working hours per week on full-time international students. A full-time student who holds a valid student visa or qualifying temporary residence permit may generally work without obtaining a separate work permit. Enrollment in a part-time program does not automatically provide the same work-permit exemption.
Common student jobs include work in retail, hospitality, customer service, university services, and other entry-level positions. Freelance work may also be possible for students with skills in writing, design, or programming. Before accepting work, students should confirm that their immigration status permits the activity and understand the applicable contract, tax, and social-insurance obligations. Employment should not interfere with the studies that form the primary purpose of the student’s stay in Poland.
Poland can be a financially accessible option for international students seeking quality education at an affordable cost. However, tuition and living expenses differ substantially by program, citizenship or residence status, city, and type of accommodation. Students should therefore build their budgets using the latest official university fee schedules and current housing information.
Read more articles about Poland in our Poland Study Guide. You can also check out Available Programs for International Students!
