Winter Preparation Checklist
Get ready for Polish winter — heating, insulation, supplies, and emergency planning. 30+ essential items for surviving winter in Poland.
How to Prepare Your Apartment for Polish Winter
Polish winters are no joke — temperatures regularly drop to minus 10-15 degrees Celsius, and the cold season stretches from November through March. If you are coming from a warmer climate, your first Polish winter requires serious preparation. This checklist covers everything from apartment winterization and heating system checks to personal supplies and emergency planning, helping you stay warm, safe, and comfortable.
Heating costs are the biggest financial surprise for newcomers during Polish winter. Monthly heating bills can increase 2-4 times compared to summer, jumping from 50-100 PLN to 200-500 PLN for district heating (cieplownia) and even higher for gas-heated apartments. Poor window insulation in older kamienice and bloki buildings makes things worse — a 50 PLN roll of insulation tape from Castorama can noticeably reduce heat loss and lower your bills.
Beyond your apartment, winter in Poland affects daily life in ways you might not expect. Daylight hours shrink to just 7-8 hours in December and January, which affects mood and energy (vitamin D supplements are widely recommended). Sidewalks can be dangerously icy, so waterproof boots with good grip are essential. Public transport occasionally faces delays during heavy snowfall. This checklist prepares you for all aspects of surviving — and even enjoying — a Polish winter.
- Buy window insulation tape (uszczelka do okien) from Castorama or Leroy Merlin for 30-50 PLN — it dramatically reduces drafts in older apartments.
- Stock up on vitamin D supplements from any apteka (pharmacy) — limited winter sunlight in Poland makes deficiency very common among newcomers.
- Invest in a good winter jacket rated to minus 20 degrees C, waterproof boots with grip, and thermal underlayers before November.
- Budget an extra 200-400 PLN per month from October through March for increased heating and electricity costs.
- Keep a small emergency kit with candles, a flashlight, extra blankets, and bottled water in case of heating outages during extreme cold spells.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about winter preparation checklist
Polish winters last from November to March, with temperatures regularly dropping to -5 to -15 degrees Celsius. Warsaw and inland cities are coldest, while Gdansk has milder (but windier) winters due to coastal influence. January and February are the coldest months. Snowfall is common but varies by year.