Shared flat or private studio for Erasmus Student in Poland? Our 2025/26 guide helps Erasmus and international students weigh the pros, cons, and costs. So, you've decided to study in Poland - congratulations! Around 100,000 international students choose this beautiful country every year for their Erasmus program or full-time studies. As you prepare for this exciting adventure, one of the biggest decisions you'll make is where to live. The rental process can seem tricky, even for locals, but don’t worry! This guide will make finding your perfect student flat in Poland much easier.
Your two main options will likely be a shared flat or a private studio. Both have their unique perks and downsides, and the right choice depends on your personality, budget, and what you want from your study abroad experience. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about shared flats and private studios to help you find your new home away from home.
What is a Room in Shared Flat?
A room in shared flat is an apartment where you rent a private bedroom but share common areas like the kitchen, bathroom, and living room with other tenants. These tenants are often other students, which can create a built-in social circle. This is a very common and popular setup for international students.
What is a Private Studio or Studio Flat?
A private studio or Studio Flat, is a self-contained, single-room apartment. It combines your living, sleeping, and cooking areas into one open-plan space, with a separate bathroom. You get the entire place to yourself, offering complete privacy and independence. It’s a compact, efficient living solution perfect for one person.
Room in Shared Flat: Advantages and Disadvantages
Living with others can be a fantastic part of the student experience, but it’s not for everyone. Let’s look at the pros and cons to see if a shared flat is right for you.
Advantages
More Affordable: This is often the biggest draw. Splitting the rent and utility bills with flatmates makes shared accommodation the most budget-friendly option.
Built-in Social Life: Moving to a new country can be lonely at first. Your flatmates can become your first friends, study partners, and guides to the city.
Larger Living Space: While your bedroom is private, you get to enjoy larger common areas like a full-sized kitchen and a living room-luxuries that might be unaffordable on your own.
Shared Responsibilities: Splitting chores like cleaning and taking out the trash can make daily life a little easier.
Disadvantages
Less Privacy: Sharing your space means you’ll have less privacy than you would have in a studio flat.
The need to find compromises: Different lifestyles, cleaning habits, or personalities can sometimes lead to disagreements with flatmates. Finding a compromise is a solution.
Shared Bathroom Schedule: Coordinating bathroom time in the morning can be a hassle, especially if multiple people have early classes.
Less Control Over Your Environment: Dealing with a messy kitchen or more noise than you’d prefer.
Private Studio/Studio Flat: Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
Complete Privacy and Freedom: Studio Flat is your personal sanctuary. You can decorate it however you like, keep it as clean (or messy) as you want, and come and go without disturbing anyone.
Quiet and Personal Space: If you value a quiet environment for studying and relaxing, a studio is ideal. You have full control over the noise level and social atmosphere.
No Flatmate Drama: Living alone means you avoid any potential conflicts over chores, guests, or noise. The space is entirely yours to manage.
Independence: Managing your own studio from paying bills to keeping it clean - is a great way to build life skills and enjoy full independence.
Disadvantages
More Expensive: A studio is almost always more expensive than renting a room in a shared flat. You are responsible for the full rent and all utility costs.
Can Be Isolating: Without built-in flatmates, it might take more effort to build a social network. If you’re naturally shy, you’ll need to be proactive about meeting people.
Smaller Space: Studios are compact. Your living, sleeping, and cooking areas will all be in one space.
Full Responsibility: All chores, bills, and communications with the landlord are entirely up to you. There’s no one to share the load with if something goes wrong.
Cost Comparison: Shared Flat or Private Studio for Erasmus Student?
Poland is known for being a very affordable destination for international students. However, rent prices can vary significantly depending on the city. Major academic hubs like Warsaw, Kraków, and Wrocław are more expensive than smaller cities like Łódź or Poznań. Here’s a general idea of what you can expect to pay per month (excluding utilities).
Room in a Shared Flat: €200 - €400
Private Studio (kawalerka): €400 - €650+
As you can see, renting a room is significantly cheaper. For a student on a tight budget, sharing a flat can free up hundreds of euros each month for travel, hobbies, and social activities. A studio offers more comfort and privacy, but at a premium price. Shared Flat or Private Studio for Erasmus Student choose your best:
Krakow
Warsaw
Poznan
Wroclaw
Find Your Home Away from Home
Shared flat or private studio for Erasmus Student in Poland:
Choose a shared flat if:
You are on a tight budget.
You are sociable and want to meet new people easily.
You don’t mind a bit of compromise and coordination.
Choose a private studio if:
You value privacy and quiet time above all else.
You have a larger budget.
You are independent and prefer to have your own space.
Navigating the process of finding student accommodation in Poland can seem difficult, but with the right information, it can be a smooth experience. You may still thinking Shared Flat or Private Studio for Erasmus Student? Whether you choose the lively atmosphere of a shared flat or the peaceful solitude of a studio, you’re about to embark on an incredible journey. If you want to find more tips about renting in Poland read our article: 5 Best Tips for Renting in Poland as a Erasmus Student
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About the author
Book lover, travel enthusiast, and a fan of all things calm and peaceful. I enjoy helping Erasmus students find their perfect place to stay and feel at home in a new city. Sharing tips, stories, and advice to make your student life easier and more enjoyable!
