Welcome students to Poland.
Moving to Poland for studies comes with a lot of administrative and bureaucratic challenges, but the good news is that you don’t have to go through it all alone. We’ve summarized all the essential steps for you — from finding a dormitory or private apartment, to opening a local bank account and integrating into the community — so you can focus on what really matters: **your studies and student experience.**
Poland is one of the most dynamic and welcoming university destinations in Europe, offering an excellent balance between the quality of education and the cost of living. Whether you come from a European Union member state or from outside the EU (Non-EU), this digital guide has been specially created to turn your relocation process from a bureaucratic stress into a simple and clear transition.
Road Map
How to settle in Poland in 8 steps
1. Find your accommodation (Housing)
- EU & Non-EU students: Unlike France, the rental market in Poland is heavily based on generalist platforms and private networks of dormitories.
- Recommended platforms: Otodom and OLX (for private apartments), Pepe Housing (platform dedicated to international students) or Student Depot / BaseCamp (premium private dormitories).
- Non-EU differentiation: Private landlords will ask for a copy of your passport, visa/residence permit and proof of financial solvency (bank statement).
2. Deposit and Guarantee (Kaucja)
- EU students: The standard is to pay a security deposit (kaucja) equivalent to 1 or 2 months' rent. The money is returned upon departure.
- Non-EU Students: Many Polish landlords require a special contract called Najem Okazjonalny (Occasional Rental). This contract requires a notarized declaration stating an address (usually in Poland or the EU) where you can be evicted in case of non-payment. For non-EU students without relatives in Poland, there are private online services that offer such a legal address for a fee.
3. Health and Travel Insurance
- EU Students: You can use your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) issued in your home country for emergency state medical services.
- Non-EU Students: Comprehensive private health insurance is mandatory for obtaining a visa and a residence permit (Karta Pobytu). The policy must cover hospitalization and repatriation.
- HubStudentsEurope Recommendation: To instantly compare the best international health insurance plans that meet your visa requirements, use [HelloSafe](https://hellosafe.com/). It is a free global digital comparator that provides you with an instant digital certificate, completely eliminating local bureaucracy.
4. Polish phone number (+48)
- Why it is mandatory: You need it for your bank account, for transport applications and, most importantly, for InPost secure delivery lockers (used by everyone in Poland).
- Critical note EU & Non-EU: By Polish law, any SIM card (prepaid or postpaid) must be officially registered with an ID (bulletin for EU, passport for non-EU) at any newsstand (Ruch, Żabka) or phone shop.
- Operators: Orange, Play, Plus, T-Mobile.
5. Open a Bank Account in Polish Zlotys (PLN)
- Local currency: Poland does not use the Euro, but the Polish Zloty (PLN). A local bank account with a Polish IBAN (starting with PL) is essential to avoid currency conversion fees.
- Recommended banks: mBank (excellent digital app), Santander Bank Polska or PKO BP.
- BLIK system: All Polish banks integrate BLIK – an ultra-popular system that allows you to pay online, in stores or withdraw cash from ATMs with just a 6-digit code generated instantly in the mobile app.
6. State Dormitories (Akademiki) and Student Discounts
- No rent assistance: Poland does NOT have a cash subsidy system for private rent similar to the CAF in France.
- The cheap alternative (Akademiki): State universities offer places in their own dormitories (Domy Studenckie) at very low prices (100–200 EUR/month), but places are limited and are divided by university.
- Legitymacja Studencka: Once enrolled, you will receive a student ID card (physical or in the mObywatel app for EU). This legally gives you a huge 51% discount on all domestic trains in Poland and ~50% discounts on urban public transport.
7. Public Transport & Essential Apps
- Jakdojade: The number 1 app in Poland. Use it to plan bus, tram or metro routes and buy tickets directly from your phone in any major Polish city.
- Intercity travel: For trains, use the PKP Intercity or Koleo platforms, where you benefit from the legal student discount mentioned above.
8. Social Integration & ESN Poland
- The Role of ESN Poland: The Erasmus Student Network (ESN) Poland is one of the largest and strongest in Europe. They are your first real point of contact with the country.
- Buddy System: Through the official platform managed by ESN Poland, you can apply before arriving in the country to receive a “Buddy” (a local Polish student).
He/she will physically help you upon arrival: pick you up from the train station/airport, help you with accommodation and explain how the local bureaucracy works.
- Events and Integration: Local ESN sections in each university organize Orientation Weeks, subsidized trips around Poland, cultural evenings and theme parties. Integration through ESN is the fastest way to make friends and overcome culture shock.
- Work Rights (Non-EU Differentiation): International students enrolled in full-time education in Poland (both EU and non-EU) have the legal right to work full-time (40 hours/week) without needing an additional work permit.