Low maintenance costs
In Poland, although it has been a member of the European Union since 2004, it is still cheaper than in other European countries. When it comes to buying food, fresh fruit and vegetable, it is best to buy them at the market (in every city there is a market at least twice a week), other food products are usually cheaper in supermarkets and large shops and more expensive in local shops. It is also cheaper to buy chemical and cosmetic products in supermarkets.
Below you will find information about the approximate prices of various everyday products.
Food products | |
loaf of bread | from 3zł |
butter (200 g) | from 7zł |
milk (1 l) | from 3zł |
pasta (0,5 kg) | from 4zł |
rice (0,5 kg) | from 4zł |
potatoes | from 3zł / 1kg |
apples | from 5zł / 1kg |
bananas | from 7zł / 1kg |
whole chicken | from 13zł / 1kg |
boneless loin | from 14zł / 1kg |
minced beef and pork | from 19zł / 1kg |
eggs | from 8zł / 10 sztuk |
Chemical products | |
toothpaste | from 7zł |
shower gel | from 9zł |
shampoo | from 9zł |
washing-up liquid (e.g. dishes, bathroom, cookers) | from 10zł |
Clothing (prices of cheaper clothes in chain stores) | |
men's shirt | from 90zł |
men's trousers | from 120zł |
jumper | from 80zł |
jacket | from 100zł |
blouse | from 70zł |
skirt | from 90zł |
sneakers | from 80zł |
Hairdressing services (in chain stores) | |
men's haircut | from 55zł to 150zł |
women's haircut |
Accommodation
The average cost of a place in a state university dormitory is PLN 550-850, in a private dormitory PLN 1200-2200, the price of a room to rent in a shared apartment PLN 1000-1800, and the rent of a studio flat PLN 2000-3000. An apartment with 2-3 rooms costs 3000-4500 PLN.
Currency
The Polish currency is the Polish zloty (zł, PLN). One zloty is 100 groszy (gr). There are 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 PLN banknotes in circulation as well as 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 groszy coins and 1, 2 and 5 PLN coins.
PPoland's entry into the EURO currency zone is not known yet, it is still not clear whether this currency will be introduced.
You can change your currency at numerous exchange offices and banks. Most of these facilities can be found in the vicinity of the city centre, at railway stations, airports, in places attracting many tourists and in some hotels. Information on the current exchange rate can be found on the National Bank of Poland's website: http://www.nbp.pl/Kursy/Kursya.html