Grocery Budget Calculator

How to Budget for Groceries in Poland

Food is your second-largest expense after rent when living in Poland, and how you shop can mean the difference between spending 800 PLN or 1,500 PLN per month. Poland has a well-developed supermarket landscape with options ranging from ultra-budget chains like Biedronka and Lidl to premium stores like Piotr i Pawel and organic specialists. Understanding where and how to shop can stretch your budget significantly.

Our grocery budget calculator estimates your monthly food costs based on your city, diet type, cooking habits, and household size. It accounts for regional price differences — groceries in Warsaw are approximately 10-15% more expensive than in Lodz or Lublin — and adjusts for how often you cook versus eating out. Dining at restaurants and ordering delivery (Glovo, Pyszne.pl) costs three to five times more than cooking at home, making meal prep a powerful savings tool.

For expats, adapting to Polish food culture can also help your wallet. Local produce at weekly bazarki (farmers markets) is often fresher and cheaper than supermarket imports. Polish staples like bread, dairy, seasonal vegetables, and grains are very affordable. Many flatmates in shared apartments also share cooking responsibilities, splitting grocery costs and discovering new cuisines together.

• Shop at Biedronka or Lidl for the best everyday prices — their store-brand products are 30-50% cheaper than branded alternatives.
• Buy seasonal produce at local bazarki (open-air markets) for fresher ingredients at lower prices than supermarkets.
• Cook in batches on weekends to save time and reduce the temptation of expensive delivery apps during the week.
• Use the Biedronka or Lidl apps for digital coupons and weekly promotions — savings of 50-100 PLN per month are common.
• If sharing a flat, coordinate grocery shopping with flatmates to buy in bulk and split costs on shared items.