Renting an Apartment in Poland as a Foreign Worker — A Practical Guide

When you arrive in Poland to work, finding a place to live is one of your first challenges. Renting as a foreigner can be daunting — language barriers, unfamiliar laws, and the risk of meeting an unreliable landlord. This guide walks you through the process step by step so you can rent safely and confidently.

Who is this guide for?

This guide is aimed at non-EU temporary workers — citizens of Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, and other countries who come to Poland through a staffing agency. Many people spend their first months in agency-provided accommodation, but sooner or later you will want or need to rent your own place.

What documents do you need to rent?

The landlord has the right to ask for:

• Passport or residence card (karta pobytu) — your primary ID
• Proof of employment — a letter from your employer or agency, or your employment contract
• PESEL number — not legally required to sign a lease, but many landlords ask for it
• NIP number — useful if the landlord issues VAT invoices

Important: Not having a PESEL number cannot legally be a reason to refuse you a rental contract. If a landlord claims otherwise, that is unlawful practice.

The rental contract — what must it include?

The rental agreement must be in writing. Never sign a verbal agreement or pay a deposit without a signed written contract. Make sure the contract includes:

• Full details of both parties — name, PESEL/passport number of landlord and tenant
• Address and description of the property — size in square metres, number of rooms
• Duration of the tenancy — fixed term (e.g. 12 months) or open-ended
• Monthly rent and payment due date
• Utility information — whether electricity, gas and water are included in the rent or billed separately
• Security deposit amount and conditions for return
• Notice period and termination conditions

Ask for a translation of the contract or have someone who speaks Polish review it before you sign. You can also contact a Citizens' Advice Bureau (Biuro Porad Obywatelskich) or a lawyer for help with difficult clauses.

Security deposit — how much and how to get it back?

The deposit is typically one to three months' rent. Under Polish law:

• The deposit must be returned within 30 days of the end of the tenancy
• The landlord may deduct the cost of repairs for damage caused by the tenant
• Normal wear and tear cannot be deducted from the deposit

Practical tip: Take photos of every room, every piece of furniture and every appliance when you move in. This is your best protection against an unjustified deposit deduction.

Temporary registration (meldunek) — is it compulsory?

As a foreigner in Poland, you are required to register your address if you stay there for more than 30 days. Registration is done at the local municipal office (urząd gminy) and is free of charge. The landlord is legally required to allow you to register. Note: address registration is not the same as a residence permit — they are two separate things.

Where to find accommodation in Poland?

The most popular rental listing sites in Poland:

• OLX.pl — private and agency listings
• Otodom.pl — professional property portal
• Gratka.pl — wide classifieds base
• Morizon.pl — listings aggregator

Ukrainian- and Russian-language Facebook groups in your city are also a great resource — you can often find rooms or apartments directly from fellow countrymen.

Common pitfalls to watch out for

• Scam listings — suspiciously cheap offers with no deposit are often fraud. Never send money without a contract and a physical viewing.
• Unlicensed agents — ask for the agent's professional licence number
• Inflated utility bills — compare invoice amounts with actual meter readings
• Unclear termination clauses — any clause allowing immediate termination without notice is unlawful

Tenant rights — quick summary

• The landlord cannot enter the property without your consent
• Rent increases require at least 3 months' notice
• Eviction without a court order is illegal
• Emergency repairs to utilities are the landlord's responsibility

Where to get help?

• Citizens' Advice Bureau (Biuro Porad Obywatelskich) — free legal advice
• Commissioner for Human Rights (Rzecznik Praw Obywatelskich) — for discrimination cases
• Nexflow — we help our workers settle in Poland, not just find work

Summary

Renting an apartment in Poland as a foreign worker is absolutely achievable. The keys are a written contract, photos on move-in day, and knowing your rights. Have questions? Contact Nexflow — we are here to help.