September is usually the busiest month on Poland’s rental market. Yet this year, activity has been unexpectedly subdued. Experts from GetHome.pl note that 10% fewer apartments were rented compared to the same period last year. As a result, landlords hoping for rent increases will likely be disappointed.
“Many property owners were eagerly waiting for September, when tens of thousands of students finalize their rental agreements. However, while the supply of apartments increased, demand did not follow suit. As a result, rental prices either remained flat or even declined compared to August,” said Marek Wielgo, an analyst at GetHome.pl.
Rental supply rises, but demand remains muted
According to data from property search engine Adradar, about 62,000 new unique listings appeared on the rental market nationwide in September—6% more than in August. The number of listings withdrawn from the market (i.e., rented apartments) also rose by 6%, to around 57,500. Consequently, the total number of active rental listings grew from 76,500 to 81,000, also a 6% increase.
The market clearly showed signs of revival, making September the strongest month of the year in terms of both new supply and demand. However, compared to previous years, the scale of this activity was much smaller. Wielgo notes that only 2022 saw weaker results, a year when the rental market was heavily absorbed by an influx of refugees from Ukraine.
This year’s modest increase in demand, compared with August, stands out against the patterns of recent years.
Fewer foreign students, geopolitical uncertainty, and propaganda
According to GetHome.pl, one explanation for this weaker demand may be the decline in the number of international students in Poland. The ongoing hybrid war led by Russia against Poland has led to tighter visa policies and admission limits.
“Russian propaganda spreads false narratives about Poland’s safety—claims of mobilizations or an imminent war. As a result, young people from EU countries may perceive Poland as a high-risk destination,” explains Wielgo.
He adds that growing anti-immigrant sentiment in public discourse also discourages potential students and tenants, particularly from Asian and African countries.
Strongest growth in Gdańsk and Kraków
Interestingly, major university cities recorded double-digit increases in rental listings in September, according to Adradar.
- Gdańsk: +22% (to 4.4k listings)
- Kraków: +10% (to 6.8k)
- Łódź: +10% (to 3.4k)
- Warsaw: +9% (to 15.9k)
- Wrocław: +9% (to 5.8k)
- Poznań: +6% (to 3.6k)
- Katowice: +4% (to 2.4k)
Gdańsk stands out as a phenomenon this year. In Q3 2025, the number of apartments for rent in online listings rose by over 90%, yet it remains below last year’s level—similar to other cities except Katowice, where supply actually surpassed 2024 figures.
Rents remain stable—or slightly down
Contrary to expectations, cheaper apartments did not disappear quickly, nor did the remaining ones become more expensive. Since landlords offered more properties than the market could absorb, September brought another month of stable or even declining median rents.
According to GetHome.pl, the median rent remained unchanged in:
- Warsaw: approx. 4,500 PLN
- Kraków: approx. 3,100 PLN
- Wrocław: approx. 2,900 PLN
- Poznań: approx. 2,600 PLN
- Katowice: approx. 2,100 PLN
Meanwhile, Łódź saw a 9% drop (to 2,000 PLN) and Gdańsk a 3% decrease (to 3,200 PLN).
In Kraków, Wrocław, and Poznań, the apartments available on the market are still cheaper on average than a year ago. However, these are asking prices, meaning that final transaction rents may be even lower.
Students look for shared apartments
For students unable to secure university housing, studio apartments remain the most expensive option. Many therefore seek larger flats that can be shared with friends to reduce costs.
For example, in Gdańsk in September:
- A studio had a median rent of 2,200 PLN,
- A two-room flat cost 3,000 PLN (1,500 PLN per person),
- A three-room flat cost 3,700 PLN (about 1,200 PLN per person).
The trend reflects a more price-sensitive rental market, where both local and international tenants seek affordable solutions amid a growing supply of listings and stable rental rates.
