Poland's Rental Supply Surges; Rents Fall for First Time as Market Cools
Rental supply in Poland's major cities hit 85,500 apartments in September 2026, up sharply from summer, forcing median asking rents down in most cities—including Warsaw, Łódź, Gdańsk, and Katowice—marking the first sustained cooling after years of rapid growth.
Poland's rental market entered a new phase in September 2026 as landlord supply significantly outpaced tenant demand heading into the academic year. Rental listings across the country's seven largest markets rose to approximately 85,500 apartments, marking the highest availability since May 2026.
Supply Surge Across All Major Cities
Rental inventory increased in six of seven metropolitan markets surveyed. Gdańsk led with a 24% monthly jump to 4,200 listings, while Warsaw gained 8% to 15,300 apartments, Kraków edged up 1% to 8,000, and Wrocław rose 3% to 6,100. Only Katowice declined, falling 4% to 2,300 listings.
Rents Cool Despite Peak Season
For the first time in years, the seasonal back-to-school surge has not driven price increases. Instead, median asking rents fell or remained flat. Warsaw's median rent dropped from PLN 4,400 to PLN 4,300 per month, Łódź fell from PLN 2,200 to PLN 2,100, and Katowice dipped below PLN 2,000. Year-on-year comparisons show steeper declines: Gdańsk rents fell 9%, Łódź 6%, Katowice 5%, and Warsaw 4%—a striking reversal after the 2022–2023 spike.
Industry experts note that this abundance of listings gives tenants unprecedented bargaining power. Landlords are competing actively, and the peak autumn demand from students may arrive later than usual, further extending tenants' negotiating window.
Practical tip: If you're renting or renewing your lease (umowa najmu) in Poland, this is one of the strongest tenants' markets in years. Lock in a long-term agreement now if possible—the supply advantage is unlikely to persist once the academic year fully begins. Consider negotiating rent reductions or deposit terms while leverage favours you.
Sources
Independent app, not a government. General information, not advice. The official source:
