What will a year really cost?

From the country guide: tuition, living costs and the visa fee, plus the money you must show. The part you lose if the visa is refused is marked.

In short: a first year in Poland costs about USD 7,800 to 20,200: tuition, twelve months of living costs and the visa fee. The visa also asks you to show USD 3,100 before it is decided.

Last checked: 24 September 2026, against the official sources linked below.

Country Show in

A year in Poland

	In PLN as published	In USD
Tuition, one year	EUR 1,500 to 6,000	USD 1,670 to 6,700 Public university, international student
Living costs, twelve months	EUR 5,400 to 12,000	USD 6,030 to 13,400
Visa or permit feeNot refunded if the visa is refused	EUR 80	USD 89
First year, all in		USD 7,790 to 20,180
Money you must show for the visa	PLN 12,120	USD 3,080 Held in your account before you apply; most of it then pays your living costs

Work while you study

No weekly figure published

Stay after you graduate

9 months, Graduate residence permit to seek work or start a business

If the exchange rate moves. Today 1 PLN = 0.2541 USD (rate of 8 November 2026). A 10% move either way changes this first year by about USD 1,400, and a whole three to four-year degree by roughly USD 4,200 to USD 5,600. Plan with a margin, and pay large sums when the rate suits you.

Worth knowing. The funds test is assessed over a 15-month first permit and rent, travel and tuition must be shown on top of PLN 1,010 a month.

The full Poland guide, with every source →

Poland: what a year costs next to

Tuition, living costs and the visa fee side by side, in your currency.

Poland vs Czechia Germany vs Poland

Leaves out flights, deposits and insurance unless the guide includes them. Currency: Rates by Exchange Rate API, 8 November 2026.

Questions

How much does it cost to study in Poland for a year?

a first year in Poland costs about USD 7,800 to 20,200: tuition, twelve months of living costs and the visa fee. The visa also asks you to show USD 3,100 before it is decided.

How much money do I need to show for a student visa in Poland?

PLN 12,120 a year (about USD 3,100), from the official source in the Poland guide.