Living Costs in Poznań: Student Budget 2026/2027

The real cost of living for a student in Poznań in the academic year 2026/2027 ranges from PLN 2,400 to PLN 4,100 per month. The lowest budget (approx. PLN 2,400–2,800) allows you to live with accommodation in a student dormitory or a double room and cook yourself. People renting a single room in Jeżyce or Piątków, using ZTM transport and occasionally eating out, have to reckon with an expense of PLN 3,200-3,900 per month.

Monthly basket of student expenses in Poznań – 3 scenarios (2026/2027)

The capital of Wielkopolska is considered to be one of the most balanced academic cities in Poland. The cost of living here is noticeably lower than in Warsaw, with access to a very strong labor market and high-quality urban infrastructure.

How much you will ultimately spend depends mainly on the chosen accommodation model and the way you spend your free time.

Accommodation in Poznań – Room, Dormitory or Studio Apartment?

Rent for an apartment is the largest item in a student’s budget. Poznań offers a diverse real estate market ranging from student blocks of flats in Piątków and Rataj, through atmospheric tenement houses in Jeżyce, Łazarz and Wilda, to modern housing estates in Grunwald.

1. Public student dormitories (UAM, PP, UEP, UMP)

State dormitory places are the cheapest option on the market, but their availability is limited.

• Adam Mickiewicz University (AMU): DS Zbyszko and DS Jagienka (in Piątków, right next to the Morasko Campus) and DS Hanka and DS Jowita (in the center). The cost of a place in a 2-person room is PLN 650 – 850, and in a single room PLN 900 – 1,200.

• Poznań University of Technology (PP): Dormitories on the Piotrowo Campus (e.g. DS 1, DS 3, DS 5) right on the Warta River. Cost: PLN 600 – 800 for a place in a double room. Ideal location – from the dormitory to lectures you walk 3 minutes on foot.

• University of Economics (UEP): DS Feniks and DS Dewizka. Prices are at the level of PLN 680 – 950.

2. Renting a room in a student apartment

Prices vary depending on the district, the standard of the building (a block of flats vs a revitalized tenement house) and the distance from the stops of the Poznań Fast Tram (PST – the famous “Pestka”).

• Piątkowo (Sobieskiego, Chrobrego, Batorego Streets): AMU students’ bastion. A single room in a block of flats costs PLN 1,100 – 1,400 with fees. Quick access to the center “Pestka” (10-12 minutes).

• Rataje (Os. Enlightenment, Rusa, Lech): The main database of students of the Poznań University of Technology. A single room costs PLN 1,200 – 1,500.

• Jeżyce and Łazarz: The most fashionable, revitalized neighborhoods full of cafes and restaurants. A room in a renovated tenement house with a high ceiling costs from PLN 1,350 to PLN 1,800.

• Wilda and Grunwald: Districts well connected with the center and UMP/UEP. The prices of individual rooms range from PLN 1,250 to PLN 1,600.

3. Rent studios or private dormitories

• One-room apartment (studio): The market rent of a small apartment in 2026 in Poznań is a cost of severance fee of PLN 1,900 – 2,500 plus administrative rent and utilities (PLN 400 – 700). The total cost exceeds PLN 2,500 – 3,200.

• Private Dormitories (e.g. Student Depot on Polna, BaseCamp/Yugo): They offer finished micro-apartments with co-working areas, a gym and security. Prices for the studio start from PLN 2,200 to PLN 3,400 with all fees.

Public transport in Poznań – PEKA, “Pestka” and Rowery

Poznań has an efficiently functioning public transport system managed by ZTM Poznań, the heart of which is the Poznań Fast Tram (PST) line.

How to pay the least for city trips?

• PEKA Card (Poznań Electronic Agglomeration Card): Each student must obtain a PEKA electronic ticket or encode the entitlements on the ELS student card.

• Semester ticket for the network (zone A): The most cost-effective option. A ticket for a student for 120 days purchased for the academic year 2026/2027 costs about PLN 220 – 240 (which is about PLN 55 – 60 per month for unlimited tram and bus rides within the city limits).

• Poznań City Bike and Scooters: Poznań is a cyclist-friendly city, with an extensive network of bicycle paths along the Warta River (Wartostrada) and on the route from the center to Morasko.

Food and Grocery Shopping – How not to overpay in Poznań?

Expenditure on food for self-cooking is PLN 850 – 1,200 per month. The cheapest shopping is in discount chains (Biedronka, Lidl, Aldi) and in the iconic markets in Poznań.

City markets – cheap and fresh food:

• Jeżyce Market Square: The symbol of Jeżyce, a great place to buy cheap vegetables, fruits and local dairy products.

• Wildecki Market Square and Łazarski Market Square: Great places for grocery shopping without the margins of large retail chains.

Cheap student food in the city (Milk Bars and Gastronomy):

• Milk Bars: “Pod Słoneczkiem” Milk Bar (Szamotulska Street), “Santos” Milk Bar (Korzenna Street) and “Jeżycki” Milk Bar. A full, two-course dinner with compote costs 18 – 26 PLN.

• Academic Canteens: The canteen at the Morasko Campus and the canteens of the Piotrów University of Technology offer lunch sets for students at a price of PLN 20 – 25.

• Poznań Classic – Kebabs and Street Food: Restaurants along Święty Marcin Street, Półwiejska Street and in the area of the Theatre Bridge offer quick meals at a price of PLN 22 – 32.

Student Life & Entertainment – How Much Will You Spend On Your Free Time?

Poznań is famous for its very rich and relatively cheap student life. The main centres of academic integration are the Warta River areas and the very centre.

Student meeting places:

• Riverside banks of the Warta and KontejnerART: The place is open in the spring and summer season. Admission to most concerts and outdoor events on the Warta River is free.

• Wrocławska Street and the Old Market Square: A party and club center. Admission to most student clubs is from 10 to 20 PLN, and the average price of a beer in the venue is 14 – 18 PLN.

• Social Night Market (Kolejowa Street in Łazarzu): A popular meeting place with street food, live music and relaxation zones.

• Studio cinemas: Poznań has great cinemas with student tickets (Muza Cinema at Święty Marcin Street, Rialto Cinema in Jeżyce, Charlie Mapete Cinema). A student ticket costs 16 – 22 PLN.

Student Earnings in Poznań – How much can you earn on a commission?

A huge advantage of Poznań is the ultra-low level of unemployment and the huge logistics and industrial facilities around the city (Tarnowo Podgórne, Komorniki, Swarzędz, Gadki).

Thanks to the PIT exemption for people up to 26 years of age (Zero PIT for young people), the gross rate on a mandate contract is equal to the net rate (“on hand”).

Real Earnings Rates for Students in Poznań (2026):

• Gastronomy / Barista / Waiter: PLN 30.50 – 34.00 / net hour + tips.

• Work in warehouses and logistics (e.g. Tarnowo Podgórne / Robakowo): PLN 32.00 – 38.00 / net hour (often with free travel by employee bus from the Main Railway Station).

• Customer service with a foreign language (BPO/SSC in the center): PLN 35.00 – 45.00 / net hour.

• Tutoring / Lessons: 60.00 – 110.00 PLN / hour.

Savings Checklist for Students in Poznań

• Buy a Semester Ticket for the PEKA Card: Top up your ticket for 120 days immediately at the beginning of October – you save more than 50% compared to monthly tickets.
• Use the City Markets: Buy vegetables, fruit and bread at the Jeżycki or Wildecki Market at the end of the market day.
• Apps for not wasting food: Use the Too Good To Go or Resq Club apps – Poznań’s bakeries and restaurants offer food packages for 30% of the nominal price.
• Apply for Public Dormitory: Apply in the May/July admissions. An apartment in DS AMU in Piątków or DS PP in Piotrów allows you to save from PLN 600 to 900 per month compared to the private market.
• Apply for Public Dormitory: Apply in the May/July admissions. An apartment in DS AMU in Piątków or DS PP in Piotrów allows you to save from PLN 600 to 900 per month compared to the private market.

Starting costs in October – how much do you need to have on your account before the first lecture?

Many students and their parents plan their budget based on average monthly expenses, forgetting about the so-called “October shock”. The first month of studying in Poznań generates cumulative fees that can double or triple the standard monthly budget.

A list of one-time entry fees in Poznań:

• Refundable deposit for a room or apartment: Owners of apartments in Poznań charge a deposit usually equal to 1 month’s rent. For example, for a room for PLN 1,400, in October you have to pay PLN 2,800 (first rent + deposit).
• Deposit for a state dormitory: In AMU, PP or UEP Student Dormitories, the deposit is usually equivalent to the fee for one or two months (approx. PLN 650 – 1,500).
• PEKA Semester Ticket fee: Activation of a ticket for 120 days in zone A is a one-time expense of PLN 220 – 240.
• Enrolment fees and ELS electronic card: Obtaining a student card at universities (UAM, PP, UEP, UMP) costs PLN 22 for issuing the document.
• Housing layette and room equipment: The purchase of bed linen, sheets, towels, basic dishes and small household appliances (if there is no room in it) costs from PLN 300 to PLN 600.

Hidden costs of studying in Poznań – corrections, ECTS credits and a specialist layette

In addition to standard living expenses, individual fields of study generate specific academic costs, which are rarely reported in official university guides.

1. Repetition fees and ECTS credits

If you curl your leg during an exam session at Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań University of Technology or the University of Economics, you have to pay for the so-called “condition” (repeating a failed subject).

• Adam Mickiewicz University (AMU): The cost of repeating a course is calculated on the basis of the number of ECTS credits. In the academic year 2026/2027, the price for 1 ECTS credit is from PLN 80 to PLN 140 (e.g. failure to pass a course for 5 ECTS means an expense of PLN 400 – 700).

• Poznań University of Technology (PP): The fee for an ECTS point at engineering faculties is on average PLN 90 – 150.

• Karol Marcinkowski Medical University (UMP): The highest rates for repeating modules – 1 ECTS point can cost up to PLN 150 – 250.

2. Specialized directional layettes

• Medical University (UMP): Students of medicine, medicine and dentistry or nursing must purchase medical clothing (gowns, sectional gowns, trousers, preventive footwear), stethoscope, protective gowns and dental instruments in the 1st year. Cost per start: 600 – 1,200 PLN.

• M. Abakanowicz University of the Arts (UAP): Students of art, design and architecture spend from PLN 300 to 700 per month on art materials, paints, easels, large-format papers and printing on plotters.

• Faculty of Architecture, Poznan University of Technology: Expenditure on primers, cardboard for mock-ups, knives, cutting pads and professional graphic software: PLN 250 – 500 per month.

Detailed Rental Price Index by Districts of Poznań (as of 2026)

Poznań is divided into districts of very different character and different distances from the main university campuses.

Student Job Logistics in Poznań – Where to Look for Flexible Earnings?

Poznań is characterized by an Polish unprecedented saturation of BPO/SSC office centers and suburban logistics parks, which are constantly fighting for student hands to work.

Top 3 Sectors of Student Work in Poznań:

Business and Finance Service Centers (BPO/SSC/IT):

• Location: Office buildings around Andersa Square (Andersia Tower, PFC), the Pixel complex at Grunwaldzka Street and Bałtyk at Kaponiera Roundabout.
• Requirements: Good knowledge of English, German or French.
• Rates: From PLN 34 to PLN 45 net per hour on a mandate contract. The advantage is a hybrid mode of work and a flexible schedule tailored to the schedule of classes at UEP, AMU or PP

Gastronomy, Cafes and Events:

• Location: Jeżyce (Kościelna Street, Dąbrowskiego Street), Old Market Square, Święty Marcin Street and riverside complexes (KontejnerART).

• Rates: The basic statutory rate on a contract with zero PIT (30.50 – 34.00 PLN/h net) increased by tips, which in the spring and summer season in Jeżyce or in the Old Town amount to 100 to 300 PLN per duty time.

Logistics Centers in the suburbs (Free Transport):

• Location: Tarnowo Podgórne, Sady (Amazon), Gądki (H&M, Raben), Komorniki.

• Organization: Employment agencies offer free employee coaches departing directly from the Summer Station / Main Station in Poznań.

• Rates: From PLN 32 to PLN 38 net per hour, often with a free recovery meal during an 8- or 10-hour shift. Ideal for working on weekends.

Financial support programs – How to get a scholarship in Poznań?

Good academic results or a more difficult financial situation allow you to obtain university funds that can fully cover the costs of renting a room in Poznań.

1. Rector’s Scholarship for Top Students

Usually awarded from the 2nd year of studies on the basis of grade point average and scientific, artistic or sporting achievements.

• Adam Mickiewicz University (AMU): The amount of the Rector’s scholarship is in the range of PLN 800 – 1,400 per month.

• Poznan University of Technology (PP): Rector’s scholarships range from PLN 900 to PLN 1,600 per month.

• University of Economics (UEP): Scholarships range from PLN 850 to PLN 1,500 per month.

2. Social Scholarship from the Scholarship Fund

They are awarded to students whose income per person in the family does not exceed the statutory threshold.

• In the academic year 2026/2027, the amount of the social scholarship ranges from PLN 1,100 to PLN 1,800 per month.

• Increase in the social scholarship for residence: Students from outside Poznań who rent a room or live in a dormitory receive a housing allowance of PLN 300 – 600 per month.

Scholarship of the Mayor of the City of Poznań

A prestigious city program addressed to winners and finalists of subject olympiads entering Poznań universities and to young researchers carrying out scientific works important for the development of Poznań. The amount of support ranges from PLN 1,000 to PLN 2,000 per month for one academic year.

Poznań proves that it is a city friendly to students’ wallets. With reasonable management of funds, support from university scholarships and taking up flexible work on a contract of mandate (only 12-15 hours a week), a student in Poznań is able to fully cover the costs of their living without having to completely rely on their parents’ budget.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is Poznań more expensive than Wrocław and Krakow?

No. Poznań is noticeably cheaper in terms of renting apartments than Krakow and Warsaw, and comparable (and in some districts slightly cheaper) than Wrocław. In addition, the Poznań PEKA semester ticket is one of the cheapest student tickets in Polish metropolises.

2. How much is the cheapest room for a student in Poznań?

A place in a double room in a student apartment on the outskirts of the city (e.g. Dębiec, Starołęka) or in a block of flats in Piątków can be found for about PLN 800 – 1,000 with fees. A single room in a lower standard costs from PLN 1,100.

3. What district in Poznań is best for an AMU student?

For students of science, natural sciences, history and social sciences located on the Morasko Campus, the best districts are Piątkowo and Naramowice. Residents of Piątków commute to the faculties on foot, by bicycle or by one stop “Pestki”. For students of faculties in the center (e.g. Polish Studies, Law), Jeżyce, Łazarz and the Center are ideal.

4. Where is the best place to live while studying at the Poznań University of Technology?

The most convenient districts are Rataje (Os. Enlightenment, Os. Jagiellońskie, Os. Rusa) and Piotrowo and Śródka. From most of the Rataj housing estates, the campus of the University of Technology can be reached on foot or by 2-3 tram stops.

5. How much will I spend on a monthly ticket in Poznań?

By buying a Semester Ticket for 120 days for zone A (covering the whole of Poznań) with a 50% student discount, you pay about PLN 220-240 at a time. Converting this over a period of a month, the cost of transport is only about PLN 55-60.

6. Is it easy to find a casual job in the 1st year of studies in Poznań?

Yes. The Poznań labor market suffers from a constant shortage of workers in trade, gastronomy, events and logistics. Finding a 1/2 or 1/4 full-time job with a schedule that fits your schedule usually takes anywhere from a few days to two weeks.

7. How much does it cost to eat per month if I cook myself?

By buying basic items in the Biedronka/Lidl chains and cooking meals for 2-3 days, the monthly budget for food is between PLN 850 and PLN 1,100.

8. Is the deposit for an apartment in Poznań high?

The standard deposit charged by apartment owners in Poznań is the equivalent of a one-person rent (e.g. PLN 1,300 – 1,500 per room). For apartments of a very high standard, the owners may require a deposit of 1.5 months’ rent.

Studying in Poznań in the academic year 2026/2027 is a very good capital investment. A safe, monthly budget guaranteeing independence, comfortable accommodation in a single room, a PEKA Semester Ticket and flexibility in spending free time is approx. PLN 3,200 – 3,700. The possibility of easily taking up a job on a contract of mandate with zero tax means that most students of Poznań universities are able to cover at least half of their expenses on their own from the first year of study.