Move-In Checklist

Complete Checklist for Moving Into Your First Apartment in Poland

Moving to Poland involves much more than just finding an apartment and signing a lease. There is a series of administrative tasks, registrations, and setup steps that can feel overwhelming if you are new to the country. From obtaining your PESEL number to registering your address (zameldowanie), opening a Polish bank account, and setting up healthcare — missing any of these steps can cause problems down the road.

Our comprehensive move-in checklist walks you through 50+ actionable items organized by priority and timeline. It covers pre-arrival preparation, first-week essentials, administrative registrations, utility setup, and settling-in tasks. Each item includes context about why it matters and practical tips specific to Poland, like which banks offer English-language services (mBank, ING) and how to navigate the Urzad Miasta for zameldowanie.

Whether you are an EU citizen with simplified registration requirements or a non-EU expat needing a residence permit, this checklist adapts to your situation. It also covers practicalities that guides often miss: finding a local Przychodnia (health clinic), getting a Polish phone number, understanding garbage sorting rules (segregacja smieci), and registering with your building administration (spoldzielnia or wspolnota mieszkaniowa).

• Get your PESEL number as soon as possible — you need it for bank accounts, phone contracts, healthcare, and tax purposes.
• Complete zameldowanie (address registration) within 30 days of moving in — you will need your landlord's signature.
• Open a bank account at mBank or ING for English-language support and easy online access via Profil Zaufany.
• Register with a local Przychodnia (clinic) immediately — finding a doctor in an emergency without prior registration is difficult.
• Take photos of all meter readings (electricity, gas, water) on your first day and share them with your landlord in writing.