25 Things I Wish I Knew Before Moving to Poland

1. Nobody Tells You About "Czynsz" (Admin Fees on Top of Rent)

When you see a rental listing for 2,500 PLN per month, that is not your total housing cost. On top of rent, you will pay czynsz -- a monthly administrative fee that covers building maintenance, trash collection, water, and sometimes heating. Czynsz typically adds 400-900 PLN to your monthly bill, depending on the building and city.

Always ask landlords for the full breakdown: rent + czynsz + utilities (media). If a listing only shows one number, ask which costs are included. This catches nearly every newcomer off guard. For a full cost breakdown, see our cost of living guide for Warsaw.

2. The Rental Market Moves FAST

Good apartments in Warsaw, Krakow, and Wroclaw get snapped up within hours, not days. If you find something you like, be prepared to put down a deposit immediately. Hesitating for even a day can mean losing the apartment to someone else.

Pro tip: have your documents ready (ID, proof of income or enrollment, references) before you start searching. Platforms like Domkaspot let you browse verified listings and connect with landlords directly, which speeds up the process considerably.

3. You WILL Need a PESEL Number

The PESEL (Powszechny Elektroniczny System Ewidencji Ludnosci) is Poland's universal identification number, and you will need it for almost everything: opening a bank account, signing a phone contract, registering with a doctor, and even getting a gym membership.

EU citizens can get a PESEL at any local municipal office (urzad gminy) with just a passport. Non-EU citizens receive one automatically when applying for a residence permit. Do this in your first week. Seriously. Check our detailed guide on how to get a PESEL number for the step-by-step process.

4. Finding a Flatmate Online Beats Facebook Groups

Every expat eventually discovers the Facebook groups: "Expats in Warsaw," "Rooms for Rent Krakow," etc. While these can work, they are chaotic, full of scam listings, and offer zero verification of who you are actually going to live with.

Dedicated flatmate-matching platforms use personality matching, lifestyle preferences, and verified profiles to connect you with compatible roommates. Domkaspot's smart matching considers your schedule, cleanliness standards, social habits, and budget to find people you will actually enjoy living with -- not just whoever posted first.

5. Polish Apartments Often Come Unfurnished

Unlike in many Western European countries, a significant number of Polish rental apartments come completely unfurnished. We are not talking about missing a few decorations -- sometimes there are no kitchen cabinets, no light fixtures, and no bathroom mirror. The listing will say do remontu (needs renovation) or stan deweloperski (developer state, meaning bare walls and floors).

Always clarify with the landlord what is included. Furnished apartments (umeblowane) exist but command a premium. If you are staying short-term or want convenience, filter specifically for furnished listings on Domkaspot.

6. Heating Costs in Winter Will Shock You

Polish winters are long and cold, and heating is not optional. In older buildings without district heating (cieplownia), gas or electric heating bills can surge to 500-800 PLN per month during December through February. Even in buildings with district heating, the costs are folded into your czynsz and can cause it to spike seasonally.

Ask your landlord about the heating system and average winter utility costs before signing. Sharing an apartment through co-living arrangements dramatically reduces per-person heating costs.

7. Revolut/Wise Beat Traditional Bank Transfers

Opening a Polish bank account is useful but not urgent. For your first weeks (and for ongoing international transfers), Revolut and Wise are lifesavers. You can convert currency at interbank rates, pay with a virtual card immediately, and avoid the 3-5% fees traditional banks charge for currency exchange.

Many landlords and roommates accept transfers via Revolut or BLIK (Poland's instant payment system, available through Polish bank apps). Once you have a PESEL, opening a Polish account at banks like mBank or ING is straightforward and usually free.

8. Biedronka Will Become Your Best Friend

Biedronka is Poland's largest discount supermarket chain, and it is everywhere. Groceries here are genuinely affordable: a full weekly shop for one person runs 150-250 PLN (35-60 EUR). Other budget champions include Lidl, Netto, and Zabka (the ubiquitous convenience store open late and on Sundays).

For the best deals, download the Biedronka and Lidl apps for digital coupons. Also check local markets (hale targowe) for fresh produce at even better prices.

9. Polish Bureaucracy Requires Patience and Paperwork

Government offices in Poland operate at their own pace. Expect to queue, fill out paper forms (sometimes only available in Polish), and potentially be told to come back another day because you are missing one document.

Key survival tips: arrive early (offices often have limited daily slots), bring every document you might need (and copies), and use the online appointment systems where available. Warsaw and Krakow have started digitizing some processes, but bring patience regardless.

10. Zameldowanie Is Required but Landlords May Resist

Polish law requires you to register your address (zameldowanie) within 30 days of moving. However, many landlords are reluctant to help because registration connects their property to tax records. Some will flatly refuse.

This registration is important: you need it for certain government services, to vote in local elections (EU citizens), and sometimes for employer paperwork. Discuss it before signing a lease. Our zameldowanie guide walks you through the full process and how to handle resistant landlords.

11. The Healthcare System Has Public and Private Tracks

If you are employed in Poland or an EU citizen with an EHIC card, you have access to the public healthcare system (NFZ). It works, but wait times for specialists can be weeks or months. Most expats supplement with private healthcare through companies like Medicover, LuxMed, or Enel-Med, which costs 100-300 PLN per month for basic packages.

If you are a student, your university should register you with the NFZ. Always carry your EHIC card or private insurance document.

12. Polish People Are Blunt -- It's Not Rude, It's Honest

Coming from cultures where small talk and pleasantries are the norm, Polish directness can feel abrupt. A Polish colleague will tell you your presentation needs work rather than wrapping criticism in compliments. A shop assistant will not smile at you, and that is perfectly normal.

This is not rudeness -- it is cultural directness. Once you adjust, you may actually appreciate it. When a Pole tells you something is good, they genuinely mean it.

13. Polish People Warm Up Slowly but Become Friends for Life

Initial social interactions with Poles can feel reserved. Do not mistake this for coldness. Polish people are typically slower to open up compared to, say, Americans or Brazilians, but once they consider you a friend, the loyalty and generosity are extraordinary.

The fastest way to break through: learn some Polish, show interest in their culture, and accept every invitation to a house dinner or name day celebration.

14. Winter Is REAL (November Through March)

Polish winter is not a joke. Temperatures regularly drop to -10 to -20 degrees Celsius in January and February. Days are short (sunrise at 7:30 AM, sunset at 3:30 PM in December), and the grey skies can be mentally challenging if you come from a sunnier climate.

Investment in a proper winter coat, insulated boots, thermal underlayers, and a vitamin D supplement is non-negotiable. On the bright side, Polish cities are beautiful in snow, and the Christmas markets are spectacular.

15. Polish Food Is Incredible and Cheap

Pierogi, zurek, bigos, kotlet schabowy, placki ziemniaczane -- Polish cuisine is hearty, flavorful, and remarkably affordable. A full meal at a milk bar (bar mleczny) costs 15-25 PLN. Even sit-down restaurants rarely exceed 50-70 PLN for a main course with a drink.

Vegetarian and vegan options have exploded in major cities over the past few years. Warsaw and Krakow now have some of the best plant-based food scenes in Central Europe.

16. Public Transport Is Excellent and Affordable

Polish cities have extensive bus, tram, and metro (Warsaw) networks. A monthly pass costs 100-110 PLN in most cities, and student passes are half that. Trams and buses run frequently and are generally reliable.

For intercity travel, FlixBus and PolskiBus offer cheap routes between major cities, while PKP Intercity trains connect the country. The Warsaw-Krakow route takes about 2.5 hours by express train.

17. Sunday Trading Restrictions Exist

Poland has banned most retail trading on Sundays, with exceptions for the first and last Sunday of each month and certain holiday periods. This means most supermarkets and shops are closed on Sundays.

Workarounds: Zabka convenience stores are open 7 days a week, gas station shops are exempt, and some shopping centers find creative loopholes. Plan your grocery shopping for Saturday.

18. Cash Is Dying but Some Places Still Don't Take Cards

Poland has embraced digital payments faster than most of Europe. BLIK (instant mobile payment), contactless cards, and Apple/Google Pay work almost everywhere. However, some older corner shops, market stalls, and government offices still only accept cash (gotowka).

Keep 100-200 PLN in cash for emergencies. ATMs (bankomaty) are everywhere, but avoid the Euronet ones -- they charge steep conversion fees. Use ATMs attached to actual Polish banks instead.

19. Name Days Are as Important as Birthdays

Every day on the Polish calendar is assigned names, and Poles celebrate their name day (imieniny) like a second birthday. If you live with Polish flatmates, knowing their name day and bringing a small gift or saying "Wszystkiego najlepszego" (all the best) will earn you enormous goodwill.

Search online for the Polish name day calendar. It is a charming tradition that helps you bond with your Polish friends and flatmates.

20. Tipping Is 10% at Restaurants

Tipping in Poland is appreciated but not as aggressive as in the United States. The standard is 10% at sit-down restaurants. For excellent service, 15% is generous. At bars, rounding up is sufficient. Tipping taxi drivers is not expected but appreciated.

Note: some restaurants add a service charge automatically for larger groups, so check the bill before adding a tip.

21. You Can Drink Tap Water in Most Cities

This surprises many newcomers, but tap water in Warsaw, Krakow, Wroclaw, Gdansk, and other major Polish cities is perfectly safe to drink. Water treatment standards meet EU regulations, and the quality has improved dramatically over the past two decades.

Buying a reusable water bottle will save you hundreds of PLN per year compared to buying bottled water. Some older buildings may have aging pipes, so if the water looks discolored, run it for a few seconds first.

22. Learn Basic Polish Greetings (It Makes a Huge Difference)

You do not need to be fluent, but learning even 20 basic Polish phrases will transform your daily interactions. Shop assistants, government officials, and landlords warm up noticeably when you make the effort.

Here are the essential phrases to get you started:

23. Don't Compare Everything to Your Home Country

This is the trap that makes or breaks your expat experience. Yes, customer service works differently. Yes, the government offices are not digitized like in Estonia. Yes, the winters are harder than in Spain. But Poland offers things that many "more developed" countries do not: genuinely affordable cities with excellent quality of life, a booming tech scene, rich history around every corner, and a food culture that punches far above its weight.

The expats who thrive in Poland are the ones who embrace it on its own terms rather than constantly measuring it against home.

24. Use Smart Matching to Find Compatible Flatmates

Living with strangers is stressful enough without adding cultural misunderstandings, clashing schedules, and different cleanliness standards. The traditional approach -- posting in a Facebook group and hoping for the best -- is a gamble.

Domkaspot's psychology-based smart matching analyzes your lifestyle preferences, daily routine, personality type, and budget to connect you with genuinely compatible people. Whether you are a quiet student who sleeps early or a social butterfly who loves hosting dinners, the algorithm finds your match.

This is especially valuable for internationals who do not have an existing network in Poland. Instead of endlessly scrolling through group posts and hoping the person who responds is sane, you get curated matches with verified profiles. It is the difference between a lottery and a system.

25. Poland Will Surprise You -- in the Best Way

Every expat we spoke to said the same thing: Poland exceeded their expectations. The combination of affordable living, genuinely warm people (once you get past the initial reserve), stunning architecture, incredible food, and a rapidly modernizing economy creates something special.

Warsaw's skyline is transforming. Krakow's cultural scene rivals cities twice its size. Gdansk offers a seaside lifestyle at a fraction of Western European prices. Wroclaw's student energy is infectious. And everywhere you go, there is a sense of momentum -- a country on the rise that is eager to welcome those willing to be part of the journey.

The best advice? Come with an open mind, bring warm clothes, sort your housing before you arrive (use Domkaspot to browse verified listings), and give it at least three months before making any judgments. Poland has a way of growing on you.

Ready to make the move? Start by finding your perfect home and flatmates in Poland.