United Kingdom
UK
What Is The Cost Of Living In Poland? We Asked Our Teachers
August 11, 2025
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Why Poland?
- Teacher salaries in Poland
- Monthly expenses
- Urban vs rural
- How to budget
In recent years, Poland has become an increasingly popular destination for expats, digital nomads, and international students thanks to its vibrant cities, rich history, and relatively affordable lifestyle compared to Western Europe.
Read more: What Is The Cost Of Living In Spain?
As TTA alum Adrian tells us: When people imagine moving abroad to teach English, they often picture sun-drenched beaches, spicy street food, and palm trees. Poland, with its snow-dusted winters, hearty soups, and medieval city squares, might not be the obvious choice.
I live in a small village called Rodoszyn, about 8 km south of Świebodzin in western Poland.
The region is famous for the towering statue of Jesus Christ the King—a kind of Polish Rio de Janeiro moment. Standing at 36 metres tall (52 metres including its mound), it casts a serene gaze over the landscape and provides a surreal talking point for visiting friends.
Rodoszyn itself is a sleepy place of fields, forest trails, and winding roads that fill with pheasants, deer, and the occasional wild boar.
What makes the area truly special, though, are the nearby lakes—Lagów and Niesulice being particular favourites.
These freshwater retreats are where I spend much of my free time: swimming in the summer, kayaking in the early evenings, or simply basking on the sandy beaches. It’s a kind of rural paradise that offers a welcome counterbalance to hours of online teaching.
Don’t know about you, but we’re pretty much ready to pack our bags and relocate to Poland now, but Adrian, tell us:
What brought you to Poland?
My decision to relocate to Poland was driven by love—my partner is Polish and grew up in Świebodzin. That played a major role in our decision to settle in this region.
Initially, I worked for an English language school in town.
This proved to be an invaluable starting point: it helped me acclimate to local expectations, build a network of contacts, and gain a clear understanding of how English teaching works in Poland.
After the first year, I transitioned into freelance teaching.
It gave me the flexibility to tailor my lessons, pursue niche Business English courses, and eventually reduce my hours while increasing my hourly rate. It gave me the freedom to develop other interests—notably pottery, which I now create and sell on a modest scale.
Read more: 7 Tips For Teaching Business English
Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty: what can you actually expect to pay for rent, groceries, transport, and entertainment in cities like Warsaw, Kraków, or Gdańsk?
TEFL teacher salaries in Poland: How much can you earn?
TEFL teachers in Poland typically earn between zł50 and zł100 an hour (€11–€22), depending on their experience, qualifications, and whether they work for a school or as a freelancer.
I earn zł70 an hour for Business English courses and around €13/hour for conversation-based sessions through online platforms like Preply.
Read more: Teaching On Preply: What You Need To Know
In total, I teach about 24 hours a week, plus an additional 6 hours of lesson planning and admin.
This level of work covers my basic expenses, though I do supplement my income with pottery sales, especially during local markets or seasonal events.
Teaching English in Poland won’t make you a millionaire, but it can absolutely provide a stable, satisfying life—especially if you diversify your income.
Average monthly expenses for English teachers in Poland
Here’s a detailed breakdown of my typical monthly expenses:
Housing
Our mortgage payments are about zł1,800 a month (€400), but renters can expect to pay zł1,500 – zł2, 500 a month (€330–€550) for a one-bedroom apartment in a town like Świebodzin.
In Warsaw or Kraków, you’ll pay at least double that.
Groceries
Weekly shopping for two people costs around zł400 – zł500 (€90–€110).
We shop at Biedronka and Lidl for basics and supplement with fresh produce from the local market. Polish staples—rye bread, pickled everything, seasonal fruit—are affordable and satisfying.
Dining Out
You can still eat out without draining your bank account. A coffee and cake costs around zł20 (€4.50), while a two-course meal for two might set you back zł100 – zł120 PLN (€22–€27).
I often treat myself to a hearty pierogi lunch in town for under zł25.
Transport
In cities, public transport is excellent: a monthly pass costs about zł110 – zł150 (€25–€33).
Out in the countryside, a car is essential. Fuel costs around zł6.50 a litre. I drive a trusty Skoda estate, which doubles as a pottery delivery van.
Utilities & Internet
Monthly bills (electricity, water, waste) total around zł600 (€130).
We heat with a wood-burning stove in winter, which is romantic but labour-intensive.
Internet is a bargain—about zł70 a month (€15) for fast fibre.
Health Insurance & Taxes
As a freelancer, I pay ZUS (social insurance) at a rate of about zł1,400 a month (€310). This covers health insurance and contributes to retirement.
If you work for a language school, they may handle this for you, but it’s worth understanding the Polish tax system.
Leisure & Entertainment
I’m not big on nightclubs or malls, so my leisure spending goes towards things like local events, art supplies, or lake trips.
Cinema tickets are about zł30.
A kayak rental at Niesulice is around zł50 an hour.
A sunny afternoon floating across the lake? Priceless.
Comparison of urban vs rural cost of living
There’s a noticeable divide between urban and rural living costs in Poland.
Big cities offer higher pay and more job opportunities, but housing and transport are substantially more expensive. A Warsaw studio can easily cost zł4,000 a month, not including utilities.
In contrast, rural living offers peace, space, and affordability.
It’s not for everyone—the pace is slower, and you’ll need to become comfortable with long drives and quiet evenings. But the rewards are many: birdsong instead of traffic noise, neighbours who bring you eggs, and the joy of watching the seasons unfold from your garden.
How to budget & save as a TEFL teacher in Poland
- Cook in bulk and freeze meals.
- Invest in a good bicycle or second-hand car.
- Buy groceries from local markets rather than convenience shops.
- Share resources with other teachers (books, lesson plans, transport).
- Learn a bit of Polish to avoid the “foreigner tax” on services.
Bonus Tip: Get into a hobby that doesn’t cost much. Pottery, for instance. Or foraging. Or just sitting in the forest with a thermos of tea and a podcast.
Is Poland affordable for digital nomads & freelancers?
Poland won’t make you rich overnight, but it might just offer you a life that feels rich in all the right ways.
The cost of living is low enough to live well. The people are warm once you get to know them. And the country—with its hidden lakes, golden forests, and Christmas markets—has a quiet charm that grows on you.
If you’re considering teaching English abroad and crave a blend of tradition, nature, and authenticity, Poland might be the place.
Come for the low prices. Stay for the lakes.
And if you find yourself in Rodoszyn, do drop by. You’ll find me in the barn, hands in clay, kettle on the boil.
Be careful what you wish for, Adrian – you might be see us sooner rather than later!
Meet The Author
Kirsten Colquhoun is the Content Manager for The TEFL Academy. A graduate of Cambridge University and DELTA-qualified, she first started teaching kindergarten in Thailand in 2003. A South African, she has also taught in China, the UK, Spain, Qatar and South Africa, but these days she is a teacher trainer and freelance writer and editor.Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Why Poland?
- Teacher salaries in Poland
- Monthly expenses
- Urban vs rural
- How to budget
In recent years, Poland has become an increasingly popular destination for expats, digital nomads, and international students thanks to its vibrant cities, rich history, and relatively affordable lifestyle compared to Western Europe.
Read more: What Is The Cost Of Living In Spain?
As TTA alum Adrian tells us: When people imagine moving abroad to teach English, they often picture sun-drenched beaches, spicy street food, and palm trees. Poland, with its snow-dusted winters, hearty soups, and medieval city squares, might not be the obvious choice.
I live in a small village called Rodoszyn, about 8 km south of Świebodzin in western Poland.
The region is famous for the towering statue of Jesus Christ the King—a kind of Polish Rio de Janeiro moment. Standing at 36 metres tall (52 metres including its mound), it casts a serene gaze over the landscape and provides a surreal talking point for visiting friends.
Rodoszyn itself is a sleepy place of fields, forest trails, and winding roads that fill with pheasants, deer, and the occasional wild boar.
What makes the area truly special, though, are the nearby lakes—Lagów and Niesulice being particular favourites.
These freshwater retreats are where I spend much of my free time: swimming in the summer, kayaking in the early evenings, or simply basking on the sandy beaches. It’s a kind of rural paradise that offers a welcome counterbalance to hours of online teaching.
Don’t know about you, but we’re pretty much ready to pack our bags and relocate to Poland now, but Adrian, tell us:
What brought you to Poland?
My decision to relocate to Poland was driven by love—my partner is Polish and grew up in Świebodzin. That played a major role in our decision to settle in this region.
Initially, I worked for an English language school in town.
This proved to be an invaluable starting point: it helped me acclimate to local expectations, build a network of contacts, and gain a clear understanding of how English teaching works in Poland.
After the first year, I transitioned into freelance teaching.
It gave me the flexibility to tailor my lessons, pursue niche Business English courses, and eventually reduce my hours while increasing my hourly rate. It gave me the freedom to develop other interests—notably pottery, which I now create and sell on a modest scale.
Read more: 7 Tips For Teaching Business English
Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty: what can you actually expect to pay for rent, groceries, transport, and entertainment in cities like Warsaw, Kraków, or Gdańsk?
TEFL teacher salaries in Poland: How much can you earn?
TEFL teachers in Poland typically earn between zł50 and zł100 an hour (€11–€22), depending on their experience, qualifications, and whether they work for a school or as a freelancer.
I earn zł70 an hour for Business English courses and around €13/hour for conversation-based sessions through online platforms like Preply.
Read more: Teaching On Preply: What You Need To Know
In total, I teach about 24 hours a week, plus an additional 6 hours of lesson planning and admin.
This level of work covers my basic expenses, though I do supplement my income with pottery sales, especially during local markets or seasonal events.
Teaching English in Poland won’t make you a millionaire, but it can absolutely provide a stable, satisfying life—especially if you diversify your income.
Average monthly expenses for English teachers in Poland
Here’s a detailed breakdown of my typical monthly expenses:
Housing
Our mortgage payments are about zł1,800 a month (€400), but renters can expect to pay zł1,500 – zł2, 500 a month (€330–€550) for a one-bedroom apartment in a town like Świebodzin.
In Warsaw or Kraków, you’ll pay at least double that.
Groceries
Weekly shopping for two people costs around zł400 – zł500 (€90–€110).
We shop at Biedronka and Lidl for basics and supplement with fresh produce from the local market. Polish staples—rye bread, pickled everything, seasonal fruit—are affordable and satisfying.
Dining Out
You can still eat out without draining your bank account. A coffee and cake costs around zł20 (€4.50), while a two-course meal for two might set you back zł100 – zł120 PLN (€22–€27).
I often treat myself to a hearty pierogi lunch in town for under zł25.
Transport
In cities, public transport is excellent: a monthly pass costs about zł110 – zł150 (€25–€33).
Out in the countryside, a car is essential. Fuel costs around zł6.50 a litre. I drive a trusty Skoda estate, which doubles as a pottery delivery van.
Utilities & Internet
Monthly bills (electricity, water, waste) total around zł600 (€130).
We heat with a wood-burning stove in winter, which is romantic but labour-intensive.
Internet is a bargain—about zł70 a month (€15) for fast fibre.
Health Insurance & Taxes
As a freelancer, I pay ZUS (social insurance) at a rate of about zł1,400 a month (€310). This covers health insurance and contributes to retirement.
If you work for a language school, they may handle this for you, but it’s worth understanding the Polish tax system.
Leisure & Entertainment
I’m not big on nightclubs or malls, so my leisure spending goes towards things like local events, art supplies, or lake trips.
Cinema tickets are about zł30.
A kayak rental at Niesulice is around zł50 an hour.
A sunny afternoon floating across the lake? Priceless.
Comparison of urban vs rural cost of living
There’s a noticeable divide between urban and rural living costs in Poland.
Big cities offer higher pay and more job opportunities, but housing and transport are substantially more expensive. A Warsaw studio can easily cost zł4,000 a month, not including utilities.
In contrast, rural living offers peace, space, and affordability.
It’s not for everyone—the pace is slower, and you’ll need to become comfortable with long drives and quiet evenings. But the rewards are many: birdsong instead of traffic noise, neighbours who bring you eggs, and the joy of watching the seasons unfold from your garden.
How to budget & save as a TEFL teacher in Poland
- Cook in bulk and freeze meals.
- Invest in a good bicycle or second-hand car.
- Buy groceries from local markets rather than convenience shops.
- Share resources with other teachers (books, lesson plans, transport).
- Learn a bit of Polish to avoid the “foreigner tax” on services.
Bonus Tip: Get into a hobby that doesn’t cost much. Pottery, for instance. Or foraging. Or just sitting in the forest with a thermos of tea and a podcast.
Is Poland affordable for digital nomads & freelancers?
Poland won’t make you rich overnight, but it might just offer you a life that feels rich in all the right ways.
The cost of living is low enough to live well. The people are warm once you get to know them. And the country—with its hidden lakes, golden forests, and Christmas markets—has a quiet charm that grows on you.
If you’re considering teaching English abroad and crave a blend of tradition, nature, and authenticity, Poland might be the place.
Come for the low prices. Stay for the lakes.
And if you find yourself in Rodoszyn, do drop by. You’ll find me in the barn, hands in clay, kettle on the boil.
Be careful what you wish for, Adrian – you might be see us sooner rather than later!
Meet The Author
Kirsten Colquhoun is the Content Manager for The TEFL Academy. A graduate of Cambridge University and DELTA-qualified, she first started teaching kindergarten in Thailand in 2003. A South African, she has also taught in China, the UK, Spain, Qatar and South Africa, but these days she is a teacher trainer and freelance writer and editor.