Inflation in Poland is hitting residents hard, with the rising cost of energy and a higher minimum wage expected to drive up living expenses even more.
As 2025 approaches, Poles are bracing for price hikes on everything from rent to heating bills. According to Do Rzeczy, the situation is looking grim, with both the housing sector and the Polish workforce facing increased financial strain.
First up, rising energy costs are pushing apartment owners in cooperative-managed buildings to hike their fees. At the same time, the minimum wage is going up, from PLN 4,300 (€994) gross to PLN 4,666 (€1,079) by 2025, which means higher wages for employees managing these buildings, leading to even higher rents.
“Rent increases have been more frequent and severe for at least two years,” said Tomasz Błeszyński, an independent real estate expert, in an interview with money.pl. “In fact, the wave of increases started in September and shows no signs of stopping. Housing cooperatives are consistently passing on higher costs, including utilities, to tenants.”
Błeszyński predicts the situation will worsen in early 2025. “I expect the entire sector of companies providing services to housing communities will hike prices to offset their own rising costs,” he said. “In the end, residents will bear the brunt.”
A major factor in these price hikes is the soaring cost of electricity and heating. Housing cooperatives and communities, which are responsible for paying for delivered heat, are facing massive financial pressure, especially due to the slow pace of thermal modernization. Poor building insulation is another major issue, as residents are stuck with heating costs even for heat that escapes into poorly insulated buildings.
In light of these challenges, Błeszyński believes it’s time for a shift in attitude. “Poles need to change their behavior. Energy is expensive, and we must start saving it every day,” he urged.
As the costs pile up, it’s clear that the new year will bring even more strain to Polish households, as inflation continues to push rent and utility prices to new heights.
