Studies in Poland are free of charge for Erasmus students – the host university does not charge tuition fees to exchange programme participants. But this does not mean that the stay costs nothing: you pay for
accommodation, food, and everyday life yourself, partly covering these expenses with the Erasmus+ grant.
Key takeaways
- Studies in Poland at a public university in full-time mode are free of charge — both for Polish students and for EU citizens applying directly.
- In the case of part-time studies, the semester fee is mandatory even at public universities, and the amount depends on the programme.
- An Erasmus student does not pay tuition fees in Poland, but monthly living costs — mainly accommodation and food — must be covered from the scholarship or personal funds.
- Postgraduate studies are always paid in Poland — there is no free public pathway at this level of education.
- Poland is one of the most affordable academic destinations in Europe, which means that an Erasmus scholarship covers a relatively larger part of the student budget here than in Western Europe.
What are paid and free studies in Poland?
Studies in Poland are divided into free studies — financed by the state at public universities — and paid studies, where the student pays tuition fees. Whether studies are paid depends on the study mode, type of university and programme. Erasmus students have a special status: throughout the exchange period, they do not pay tuition fees, regardless of how much the programme costs for students recruited directly.
Are you coming to Poland for Erasmus? Looking for an affordable student room in Warsaw with no hidden fees? Check our offer!
How does the tuition fee system at Polish universities work?
To understand how much studies in Poland cost, you need to know the difference between study modes and types of universities.
Full-time studies at a public university
Full-time studies, meaning daytime studies conducted in the standard full-time mode, are free of charge in Poland for students admitted within the state-funded admission limit. This applies to both bachelor’s and master’s studies at public universities. The student does not pay tuition fees — the semester fee is zero PLN if they are within the admission limit.
Exception: if a student repeats a year or exceeds the allowed number of absences, the university may charge a fee for specific classes or for the entire semester.
Part-time and non-full-time studies
Part-time studies — also known as non-full-time studies — are paid even at public universities. Tuition fees for part-time studies depend on the programme and university. For humanities programmes, they usually amount to 1,800–2,800 PLN per semester. For technical or medical programmes, they may reach 4,000–6,000 PLN per semester.
Private universities
At private universities, studies are always paid — both full-time and part-time modes. Tuition fees range from 3,000 to even 10,000 PLN per semester, depending on the programme and the reputation of the university.
Postgraduate studies
Postgraduate studies in Poland are always paid — there is no free postgraduate pathway financed by the state. The cost of postgraduate studies is usually 3,000–8,000 PLN for the entire academic year.
What does an Erasmus student pay for in Poland?
As an Erasmus student coming to Poland, you have the status of an academic guest. The Polish host university cannot charge you tuition fees — this is a rule of the Erasmus+ programme, binding on all universities participating in the exchange.
What Erasmus does not cover:
No tuition fees does not mean no expenses. The monthly budget of an Erasmus student in Warsaw includes:
| Expense category | Monthly cost (PLN) | Monthly cost (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation, room in an apartment | 1,800–2,800 PLN | 420–650 EUR |
| Food and groceries | 700–1,200 PLN | 165–280 EUR |
| Public transport | 90–110 PLN | 21–26 EUR |
| Phone and internet | 50–100 PLN | 12–23 EUR |
| Recreation and other expenses | 300–600 PLN | 70–140 EUR |
| Total | ~2,940–4,810 PLN | ~688–1,119 EUR |
The biggest expense is accommodation. Student dormitories have a limited number of places for external students — in practice, most Erasmus students rent a room on the open market or through a specialised operator.
How much is the Erasmus scholarship for Poland?
The Erasmus+ scholarship is awarded by the home university and is intended to cover part of the costs of staying abroad. Its amount depends on the country you leave from and the destination country.
Poland belongs to the group of countries with a lower cost of living, Group 3, which means lower scholarship rates than for trips to Western Europe:
| Sending country | Monthly Erasmus rate for Poland |
|---|---|
| Germany, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Group 1 | 400–600 EUR/month |
| Italy, Spain, France, Group 2 | 350–500 EUR/month |
| Poland, Baltic countries, Group 3 | 300–400 EUR/month |
The scholarship usually covers 40–70% of monthly living costs in Warsaw. The rest must be covered from your own funds or family support.
Full-time vs part-time studies — the difference for an international student
If you are considering studying in Poland outside the Erasmus programme — for example through direct recruitment — the study mode matters financially.
Full-time studies, or daytime studies, at a public university are free of charge for students admitted within the state-funded limit. This also applies to EU citizens — you can study under the same conditions as Polish students.
Part-time studies are always paid — regardless of whether you are from Poland, the Netherlands or Germany. The semester fee is set by the university and varies depending on the programme.
In the case of master’s studies at a public university, the rules are similar: full-time mode is free for EU citizens, while part-time mode is paid.
Additional university fees — what you should know
Even if full-time studies are free, the university may charge small fees for specific services:
- Student ID card: 17–22 PLN, one-off payment
- Diploma and copies: 60–100 PLN
- Resit exam, at some universities: 50–150 PLN
- Language courses or additional elective modules: 200–500 PLN per semester
These are small amounts in the scale of a student budget, but it is worth checking them in advance in the regulations of the selected university.
Where to live — accommodation costs and the student budget
Accommodation is the biggest monthly expense for an Erasmus student in Warsaw. From a practical point of view, the cost of studies is largely the cost of renting a room.
Nearby Campus is a student accommodation operator specialising in supporting international students. We offer fully furnished rooms located no more than 15 minutes on foot from campus, with an English-language contract signed remotely — without the need to come to Warsaw just to find a place to live.
Advice from a Nearby Campus specialist
“Erasmus students come to Poland asking: how much will all of this cost? Tuition fees — zero. But accommodation is a real 1,800–2,800 PLN per month. At Nearby Campus, we offer rooms where the price includes everything: furniture, 300 Mb/s internet, cleaning and full equipment. No hidden fees, an English-language contract signed before you arrive. We also help with the first formalities in Poland — PESEL, bank account, SIM card. Our student budget is predictable from day one.”
At Nearby, we help international students find student rooms in Warsaw prepared especially for people coming for an academic semester or a full academic year.
Scholarships and financial support for students in Poland
Apart from the Erasmus scholarship, it is worth checking whether you can apply for additional financial support.
Rector’s scholarship — awarded by the Polish university for academic performance. Also available to international students, although the rules vary between universities. It is worth asking directly at the dean’s office.
Social scholarship — available to students in a difficult financial situation. EU citizens can apply for it under the same conditions as Polish students.
University’s own programmes — some public universities offer their own funding for students during the academic exchange year. Check the website of the international cooperation office of your Polish host university.
Comparison — studies in Poland vs studies in Western Europe
Poland is one of the most affordable academic countries in Europe, which translates into real savings for Erasmus students.
| Country | Tuition fees at a public university | Average accommodation cost/month |
|---|---|---|
| Poland | Free, for EU students | 420–650 EUR |
| Germany | Free + semester fee of about 350 EUR | 600–900 EUR |
| Netherlands | 2,200 EUR/year | 700–1,100 EUR |
| France | ~170 EUR/year | 600–900 EUR |
| Italy | 900–3,000 EUR/year | 500–800 EUR |
For a student from the Netherlands or Germany, Erasmus in Poland means significant savings on living costs while maintaining a comparable level of education.
FAQ — frequently asked questions
Are studies in Poland paid for EU students?
Full-time studies at a public university are free of charge for EU citizens — under the same conditions as for Polish students. Part-time studies are paid regardless of citizenship.
How much do studies at a private university in Poland cost?
Tuition fees at a private university usually amount to 3,000–10,000 PLN per semester, depending on the programme and university. There is no free option — every study mode is paid.
As an Erasmus student, do I have to pay tuition fees in Poland?
No — the host university cannot charge tuition fees to participants of the Erasmus+ programme. You only pay for accommodation, food and everyday expenses.
Can you study in Poland without an Erasmus scholarship?
Yes — you can apply directly for full-time studies as an EU citizen and study free of charge. However, in that case you do not receive an Erasmus scholarship and you cover all living costs yourself.
How high is the Erasmus scholarship for Poland?
The rate depends on the sending country and ranges from 300 to 600 EUR per month. This usually covers 40–70% of the real cost of living in Warsaw.
Are master’s studies in Poland free?
Master’s studies in full-time mode at a public university are free of charge for EU citizens. Part-time mode is paid — the cost depends on the programme and university.
What additional fees can a university charge?
Even during free studies, a university may charge fees for a student ID card, diploma, resit exams and selected courses. In total, this is usually no more than a few hundred PLN over the entire academic year.
Where should an Erasmus student look for affordable accommodation in Warsaw?
It is worth considering specialised student accommodation operators, such as Nearby Campus. They offer rooms with an English-language contract, full equipment and a fixed price with no hidden fees — making it easier to plan your monthly budget.
