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Rent an apartment in Warsaw as an expat
Expats rent apartments in Warsaw all the time; owners mainly want clear documents and a stable income. We run the whole search in your language and explain the Polish lease clause by clause. Below: which documents to prepare, why a notary may be involved, how address registration works and how to avoid fake listings.
Can a foreigner rent an apartment in Warsaw?
Yes. Polish law does not restrict renting to foreigners, and you do not need a Polish ID or a PESEL number to sign a lease. The owner decides, and what they want to know is that rent will arrive on time and that you will move out when the lease ends. So their questions are about your income, your job and how long you plan to stay.
If you are relocating with your employer or with family, say so up front: owners are more comfortable when they see the full picture. We help you put your documents together so they are easy to share, and we explain your situation to the owner.
Documents owners usually ask for
Every owner is different, but these come up most often. This is general information, not immigration or legal advice.
- Passport or national ID card
- Proof of legal stay in Poland, such as a visa or residence card; which one depends on your situation (EU citizens need only their ID)
- Proof of income: employment contract, employer letter, B2B contract with invoices, or recent bank statements
- Contact details of your employer or the company paying the rent, if applicable
- Your PESEL number if you have one (not required for the lease)
- For najem okazjonalny: a notarial statement and another address you could move to, with that owner's consent
Najem okazjonalny: the notary and the "exit address"
Private owners in Warsaw usually offer najem okazjonalny, an occasional lease under art. 19a of the tenants' rights act. Three documents are attached to it: your notarial statement agreeing to vacate when the lease ends; the address of another home you could move to; and written consent from that home's owner.
For a newcomer the exit address is the hard part, since it has to be a real address whose owner agrees to take you in. Raise it early. If you have no such address, look at najem instytucjonalny (institutional lease) from a professional landlord: the notarial statement is still needed, but the exit address is not. This is general information, not legal advice.
Registering your address (zameldowanie)
Registering where you live is called zameldowanie. According to the City of Warsaw, EU and EFTA citizens and their family members register no later than the 30th day after arrival, and other foreigners no later than the 4th day. Stays of up to 30 days do not need registration. Applying is free.
You need your residence document and proof of your right to the apartment, such as the lease; the owner confirms on the form that you live there. Foreigners without a PESEL can only register in person. EU citizens with a PESEL can do it online on gov.pl. Agree on registration with the owner before you sign.
Paying rent and the deposit
Rent is paid by bank transfer in złoty, usually a month in advance by the date in the lease. The deposit, typically one or two months' rent, also goes by transfer to the account named in the lease. A Polish bank account makes life easier: domestic transfers are fast and there is no currency conversion.
Never pay cash without a receipt. The account number should be in the lease, and the account holder should be the owner or their authorised representative. Keep your transfer confirmations; at move-out they prove you owe nothing.
What to budget for at move-in
Plan for more than the first month's rent. Average rents by district are on our apartments page.
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First month's rent | 1 month | Usually at signing or before move-in |
| Deposit (kaucja) | 1–2 months' rent | Legal cap: 6 months for najem okazjonalny, 12 for a standard lease |
| Building service charge | Per the building's bill | If not included in the rent |
| Notary and sworn translator | Per the notary's tariff | Only for najem okazjonalny and instytucjonalny |
Ustawa o ochronie praw lokatorów, art. 6, 19a, 19f — isap.sejm.gov.pl
A typical timeline
Good apartments in Warsaw let quickly, so start about 3–4 weeks before your move-in date.
Your request
In the form at the bottom of the page, or on WhatsApp: office location or district, budget, rooms, move-in date, children and pets.
Needs call and documents
We clarify what you need and check which documents you already have.
Shortlist
We send apartments that fit, after checking each is still available.
Viewing
In person, or by video call if you are still abroad.
Lease and notary
We explain the lease in your language, agree terms with the owner and help with the notarial statement.
Move-in
Handover report with photos and meter readings, then address registration.
Moving with your family
Families do best choosing the school or kindergarten first and then looking for an apartment nearby; crossing the city twice a day with children wears thin fast. Quieter districts with parks and schools include Mokotów, Ursynów, Wilanów, Żoliborz and Bielany, and for a house with a garden, suburbs such as Piaseczno, Łomianki or Józefów.
Polish listings count the living room as a room, so "3 pokoje" means two bedrooms plus a living room. If you have a pet, tell us at the start: some owners say no, and we will only show apartments where pets are welcome.
Your first weeks after moving in
Address registration
Within the deadlines above, with your lease and the owner's confirmation on the form.
Utilities and internet
Check whose name the electricity, gas and internet contracts are in. If they need to move to you, do it in the first days.
Bank account
A Polish account is handy for rent, bills and salary from a Polish employer.
Public transport
Metro, trams, buses and city trains share one ticket system. For a daily commute a long-term pass works out cheaper.
Apartment paperwork
Keep the lease, handover report and photos. You will need them at move-out to get your deposit back.
Emergency number
112 is the emergency number across Poland and the EU.
How to avoid rental scams
People searching from abroad are a common target for fake listings. The rules are simple:
- Never pay a deposit or "reservation fee" before a viewing, in person or by video
- A price well below market plus pressure to decide today is a red flag
- "The owner is abroad and will courier the keys" is a classic scam
- Make sure the lease is signed by the owner or someone with a power of attorney
- The account number is in the lease, and the recipient is the same person
- Do not send passport scans before you have seen the apartment and met the person
Questions and answers
Do I need a PESEL number to rent an apartment?
No. A lease can be signed with your passport number. Some owners ask for a PESEL if you have one. Without a PESEL, foreigners can only register their address in person rather than online.
What documents do expats need to rent in Warsaw?
Usually a passport or ID, proof of legal stay in Poland and proof of income, such as an employment contract, an employer letter or bank statements. For najem okazjonalny you also need a notarial statement and an exit address. It depends on the owner. This is general information, not legal advice.
What if I have no exit address in Poland?
For najem okazjonalny you need a real address whose owner agrees in writing to take you in, often relatives or friends. If you have none, look for apartments under najem instytucjonalny, where no exit address is needed, or ask the owner about a standard lease.
How soon must I register my address?
According to the City of Warsaw, EU and EFTA citizens register no later than the 30th day after arrival, and other foreigners no later than the 4th day. Stays of up to 30 days need no registration. The application is free.
Can I rent before I arrive in Poland?
Yes. The viewing can be done by video and the lease agreed in advance. Only transfer money once you have seen the apartment and confirmed the lease is signed by the owner. For najem okazjonalny you must visit the notary in person.
Can my employer rent the apartment for me?
Yes. A company can be the tenant while you live in the apartment. The lease should then state who occupies it, who pays the utilities and who signs the handover report.
Sources
Shortlist
Get a shortlist that fits your brief
Send a request: what you need, district, budget and dates. We check the properties are available and send you the ones that fit.