Stable supply, the first effects of new regulations and changing expectations among the youngest tenants are shaping Poland’s rental market. While the market remains broadly balanced, its future will be determined not only by prices and housing availability, but also by the evolving needs of Generation Z.
Poland’s Rental Market in May 2026: Key Figures
May began with 24,000 active rental listings and ended at a similar level of 24,100, representing a month-on-month increase of 0.4%.
Supply across Poland’s seven largest cities remained close to the level recorded at the end of April. Around 16,300 listings were available in this segment, accounting for 68% of total supply.
Among the largest markets, month-on-month supply increased in Lublin (+14%), Rzeszów (+7%) and Zielona Góra (+4%). At the same time, declines were recorded in Olsztyn (-23%), Kielce (-6%), the Tri-City area (-11%) and Poznań (-7%).
What Changed on the Rental Market in May?
The Polish rental market is showing signs of stabilising supply fluctuations. The month closed with 24,100 active listings, a marginal increase of 0.4% compared with April.
Although the market may appear to be standing still, significant shifts can be seen following the first full month of the EU regulation on short-term rentals. Cities with a strong tourism profile recorded notable declines in supply, including Olsztyn (-23%), the Tri-City area (-11%) and Poznań (-7%).
Property owners are likely delaying the publication of listings because of uncertainty over how the new rules will be enforced in practice.
“May’s data reveals an important trend: the market is currently in a transitional phase, but one characterised by very high liquidity. In Warsaw alone, the ratio of new listings to the number of listings available at the end of the month was around 75%. This means that nearly three-quarters of the active rental stock is refreshed every month. Short listing periods combined with stable prices are a sign of market balance. However, the real test will come in September, when it will become clear whether apartments previously used for short-term rentals will move into the long-term rental market — something young tenants may be waiting for,” says Paweł Jarząbek, Market Research and Analysis Manager at Otodom.
Housing as a Subscription for Young People: What Does It Mean for the Market?
Young tenants are increasingly shaping the direction of the housing market. Members of Generation Z are more likely to view housing as a service they use when needed, rather than as a permanent commitment.
The findings of a survey of young people in Poland, presented in the report “Happy Home: On Their Own Terms. Young Adults in the Property Market”, show how younger generations now think about where they live. Around 71% of respondents in this age group are considering moving to another city, while 30% do not rule out remaining tenants for their entire lives.
“Delaying the decision to buy a home and spending a longer period in the rental market does not necessarily mean that housing aspirations have changed. Increasingly, it is the result of rational economic calculation. In large cities, rent and housing-related charges consume between 35% and as much as 55% of young people’s disposable income. Under such conditions, renting becomes less a lifestyle choice and more an expression of pragmatism. For young people, flexibility is now a basic tool for managing financial risk,” Jarząbek adds.
How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Flat in Poland?
According to Otodom data, the average asking rent in provincial capitals reached PLN 3,571 in May. This represented an increase of around 1.3% month on month, driven mainly by higher rents in Warsaw (+1.7%), the Tri-City area (+1.6%), Lublin (+1.2%) and Opole (+1.1%).
The most significant downward corrections were recorded in Kielce, Wrocław and Olsztyn. Kielce, in particular, continued its multi-month decline in rents, with prices already down 6.7% year on year — the steepest annual fall among all monitored cities.
Warsaw remains the most expensive rental market, with average asking rents at PLN 4,844. The Tri-City area and Kraków also remain above the PLN 3,000 threshold. The lowest rents are currently found in Kielce, the capital of the Świętokrzyskie region, at PLN 1,968, and in Białystok at PLN 2,090.
What Are Tenants Actually Looking For?
Otodom’s data for May 2026 shows that tenant preferences remain remarkably stable. Two-room apartments continue to attract the greatest interest, accounting for more than half of all searches.
The most sought-after properties are flats of around 40 square metres, which account for 21% of enquiries, followed by smaller homes of around 30 square metres, generating 17% of searches. The popularity of compact units reflects the financial realities faced by young adults, for whom functionality and efficient use of space often matter more than the size of the apartment itself.
At the same time, one previously marginal criterion is becoming increasingly important in the rental market. In 2024, only 6% of searches included the possibility of living with a pet. By spring 2026, this figure had doubled to 12%.
As a result, landlords’ willingness to accept pets has become one of the most desirable features of a rental property, overtaking even amenities such as a dishwasher. The trend reflects broader social changes among younger generations.
According to experts quoted in the “Happy Home” report on young adults in the property market, dog runs and walking areas are becoming increasingly valuable features of residential developments. They not only serve a recreational purpose, but can also help build neighbourly relationships and strengthen local communities.
