Accommodation, personal ID, banking

We are proud to operate in six major cities across the country: Warsaw (central Poland), Wrocław and Poznań (western Poland), Kraków (southern Poland), Katowice (south-central Poland), and Sopot (northern Poland). Each cities offers a unique living and learning experience.

There are several ways of finding accommodation in Poland, for example:

• Rental websites and platforms – If you need help with finding reliable rental platforms our HR specialists can provide you with trusted links.
• Real estate agencies – Many agencies in major cities offer assistance in English. Please note, agencies usually charge a service fee (usually equal to one month's rent that you would pay for your rental).
• Short-term rental – Initially, upon your arrival in Poland, you might want to consider a short-term rental, before you find your a more permanent residence. You can use the well known global short-term rental platforms, which also operate in Poland.

What to Expect

• Rental prices vary significantly depending on the city and district.
• A deposit (usually equal to one month's rent) is commonly required.
• Rental agreements are often signed for 6 or 12 months of occupancy.
• Most apartments are fully furnished, but always check the listing details.

Important notes

• Always sign a written rental agreement.
• If in doubt, consult a lawyer.

If you are a foreigner residing in Poland for longer than three months, you must register your stay at the local District Authority Office. When you register, you will be assigned a Personal Identification Number (PESEL), a unique identifier for administrative purposes.

In the event that you would need the PESEL sooner, for example for employment purposes, you can apply for it separately. Follow the official procedure

Setting up a local bank account is one of the most important things to do after moving to a new country.. There are several different banks, Polish and international, operating in Poland. They all provide service in Polish and English. The protection of consumer funds is guaranteed through the Deposit Guarantee Scheme (DGS), administered by the Bank Guarantee Fund (BGF).

Our HR department will be happy to assist you with providing the names and locations of several major banks.

Advantages of having a bank account in Poland

• No unfavorable exchange rates for purchases and salary deposits.
• Option to create the so-called “Trusted Profile” [Profil Zaufany], a free, digital identity tool that acts as an electronic signature, allowing citizens or long-term residents to complete and submit forms online (e.g., the annual tax return form — the so called “PIT”) to public service offices without needing to visit the office in person.

Polish labor law requires all employees to undergo periodic medical examinations to verify that a person is capable of performing a job in the required capacity. Therefore, SWPS University will issue a referral for you to attend a pre-employment medical examination. You must undergo this examination no later than one day before the start of your employment.

The cost of the medical examination will be covered by SWPS University. Our healthcare provider, LuxMed, offers services both in English and Polish.