Poland's Rental Market Stabilizes After Years of Rapid Growth
Rental inflation in Poland has stabilized at 4.1% annual growth as of May 2026, down sharply from the rapid increases during the pandemic and refugee influx, signaling a shift toward calmer market conditions.
Rental Growth Slows to Moderate Levels
Poland's rental market has entered a stabilization phase following several years of sharp increases driven by pandemic disruptions, the influx of Ukrainian refugees, and a housing boom. Data from Eurostat showed that actual rents for housing grew 4.1% annually in May 2026, with only marginal fluctuations over the preceding twelve months. This marks a significant slowdown from the rapid rates seen in 2022 and 2023, when Polish rents surged far above inflation.
Market Conditions Shifting in Tenants' Favor
Rent increases continue to trend above overall inflation (3.3% in the same period), but the days of double-digit annual growth are over. Cushman & Wakefield's Q1 2026 assessment noted that "the previously strong growth in rental rates has visibly weakened," indicating stabilization after a period of rapid increases. Over the past five years, rents nationwide increased by as much as 60%—twice the EU average—but that exceptional growth phase appears to be ending.
Property vacancy in well-located Polish apartments now stands at 3–5% as of 2026, and tenants are becoming more price-sensitive than they were in 2022 and 2023. The time it takes to rent a well-priced apartment has stabilized at around 20–30 days, compared to much shorter windows a year earlier. These changes suggest that while finding an apartment remains competitive in major cities, the acute rental scarcity of the immediate post-pandemic period has eased.
Implications for Expat Renters
If you are searching for an apartment now or renewing a lease, the stabilized market works more in your favor than it did in 2023–2024. Rent increases are slower, and landlords are more likely to negotiate on price and terms because tenant supply is less constrained. However, rents remain elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels, and demand in central locations near transit, universities, and employment hubs remains strong. Expect competitive bidding for prime locations, but less frantic market conditions overall. Understand your local tenant protections (rent increases require three months' notice and are capped by inflation-linked formulas in many regions) and document everything in writing to protect yourself.
Sources
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