The Cost of Living in Poland
Average Salaries and the Cost of Living in Poland
For individuals seeking a new life abroad, Poland has in recent years become a highly attractive and favorable destination to live and work in. Statistics show that in 2022 the number of expats registered and residing in Poland hit an all-time high of over 1,660,000 – in part due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which since its start has seen over 1.5 million Ukrainian refugees enter Poland. The rich culture, booming job market, ideal location in central Europe, and relatively low cost of living in Poland all make this country a desirable choice for foreigners to call home.
Let us first explore the employment opportunities for foreigners planning to live in Poland and the realistic salary expectations in the most popular sectors for Ukrainian citizens.
Where can Ukrainian Citizens expect to work in Poland?
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Ukrainian citizens have been able to legally work in Poland without a work permit – saving the sometimes-lengthy wait for documentation and allowing those going through a drastic life change to begin working right away. For Ukrainian refugees, popular sectors and industries include the restaurant and hotel business, the service sector, production, trade, and logistics; they are also able to offer any freelance services they have experience in.
Concern about language and not yet possessing Polish language skills is understandable, although many international and domestic corporations in Poland operate with English as their primary language, with additional European language skills also being highly desirable. Other jobs, for example, those in hospitality, may only require a basic level of Polish to begin with. Overall, Ukrainians can expect to either find employment in the sector relevant to their skills and experience, or even to start something new in an entirely different field altogether.
What is the average salary in Poland?
As is the situation everywhere, average salaries vastly differ depending on factors such as experience, education, the sector in which you work, and the area of the country you decide to settle in. As you’ll find out later, the lower cost of living in Poland is matched by salaries, which at first glance may seem fairly low compared to other EU countries, or on a global scale. However, you’ll discover that a seemingly low average wage goes significantly further in Poland compared to other countries like the UK or the USA.
As of 2023, the minimum hourly wage in Poland is 22.80PLN with a monthly minimum salary of 3,490PLN. Furthermore, the average salary in Poland is 6733.49PLN per month (approximately $1,500), although as expected this can vary hugely. A few examples of sectors and their average incomes include hospitality at an average of 3,600PLN per month, construction at 5,257PLN per month, IT and communications at 8,900PLN per month, and administration and support services at 3,900PLN per month.
Do salaries vary depending on location?
An important factor to consider is not only which job to do, but where you would want to live and work. Some of the largest major business hubs in Poland are based in the biggest cities such as Warsaw, Kraków, Katowice, and Gdańsk. The average income varies between these cities, with 8,510PLN in Warsaw, 8,290PLN in Krakow, 6,890PLN in Gdańsk, and 6,280PLN in Katowice. As you can see, the average decreases as the city size gets smaller. Something to bear in mind is that while larger cities offer higher salaries, the cost of living can also rise considerably, particularly when it comes to renting an apartment and paying for transport across a larger distance. Something typical of Poland and Central European countries is the drastic difference in cost between the capital city and other cities. Warsaw can be nearly 100% more expensive than smaller cities, with residents having higher incomes but paying far more for rent and transportation.
The good news is, that as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, remote working is an option for many previously office-based jobs, allowing employees to work for larger companies potentially from smaller, more affordable towns and cities. Such flexibility means you could find yourself earning a higher wage while enjoying a lower cost of living. When applying to and interviewing for jobs, this is something that can be discussed with prospective employers.
The Cost of Living in Poland
The cost of living in Poland is among the most affordable in the EU, and while it can vary depending on the area in which you decide to live, even larger cities boast lower prices in Poland compared to other European countries. Cities such as Warsaw and Kraków may be hugely appealing, but they do require more funds to support yourself or a family particularly during the first few weeks and months of your arrival when setting yourself up. It’s no surprise then that many Ukrainian arrivals have found the lower cost of living in smaller, less expensive towns and cities too good to turn down.
It’s important to remember that while the cost of living can seem surprisingly low, the average income will usually be relative to that price point. Let’s explore a few everyday expenses, and the prices you can expect to pay for the necessities, to answer questions such as ‘’Is Poland expensive?’’ or ‘’What is the cost of living like in Poland?’’. Mastercard digital tool “Where to Settle” has been developed to help you visualize what the living costs in various Polish cities are like, it also provide information on approximate wages in different parts of the country. Click here to answer a few questions and find the location that best corresponds to your needs.
Accommodation: somewhere to call home
Like in most countries, you can expect your rent to be your biggest monthly expense. Unfortunately, the increased demand for accommodation due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, combined with a surge in inflation, means that rental prices are at an all-time high. In larger cities, you can expect to spend around 1800PLN (approximately $400) per month on a small, one-bedroom flat. However, in smaller cities or towns, this will be a lot less, and of course, being open to roommates or sharing accommodation with family and friends will help to ease this expense, particularly for Ukrainian citizens who have recently arrived.
Utilities and bills are usually affordable, but you can expect them to rise in the winter. Be sure to check with your landlord whether they are included in your rental pricing or an additional month-to-month expense.
Transport: getting from A to B
Poland has an advanced transport network between all major cities, from the North down to the South, the East to the West, and right through to surrounding European countries. You can take your pick from many transport options including buses, trains, trams, and even popular car ride-sharing apps. When it comes to public transport within towns and cities, you can expect it to be cheap, frequent, and generally well-organized. How you get around will depend on your preferences – train and tram services offer affordable monthly passes, and train tickets are far less expensive than in other European countries.
Healthcare: health is wealth
When settling into a new country, particularly one where you may not speak the national language, concerns around access to healthcare and the cost involved can be an understandable worry. For those working and making a new life in Poland for themselves, an automatic 9% national insurance premium is deducted from your salary to go towards medical care; this covers family members, including partners, children, and parents residing at the same address. As a result, you and your family can access state health facilities for free, although you may find that many employers offer generous private health insurance packages as a benefit.
Food: filling up the fridge
Finally, grocery shopping and feeding yourself and your family are arguably going to be your second biggest expense after rent and bills. Depending on how and what you like to eat, this is another expense that can vary from family to family, but foreign visitors are often surprised at how cheap certain food items can be in Poland. While prices are on the rise due to inflation, basic food items such as bread rolls (0.35PLN per piece), potatoes (3.6PLN per kilo), and milk (3.55PLN per liter) are consistently affordable. Budget supermarkets make sure that in Poland food prices are manageable for most families.
Is it worth working and settling in Poland for Ukrainian citizens?
Since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, Poland’s government and its citizens have worked hard to ensure that all Ukrainians fleeing war can relocate and settle as smoothly and as stress-free as possible into their new lives, whether it be temporary or permanent. The ability to work immediately upon arrival, spaces on university programs to continue studies, and volunteer-led Polish language classes all contribute to this effort and hospitality.
To sum up, Poland has a lot to offer those looking for a fresh start. The rapidly expanding economy has resulted in a boom in diverse job opportunities across various sectors and industries, and as a result, Poland enjoys one of the lowest unemployment rates in the European Union. The comparatively low cost of living, well-developed infrastructure, and highly connected transport system all contribute to a satisfying quality of life for its citizens and those newly arriving from abroad.