2026-08-03-莱坊-Student_Housing_in_Poland_h1_2026_5页_210kb

Summary of Student Housing in Poland (Q2 2026)

Core Content

Poland's Private Bed and Breakfast Student Accommodation (PBSA) sector is experiencing robust growth, driven by a structural undersupply of student housing and a rising student population. The market continues to attract development and investment due to high occupancy rates and strong demand fundamentals.

Supply Overview

• Total PBSA Beds: As of H1 2026, Poland has approximately 17,900 PBSA beds, a 24% increase compared to the same period in 2025.
• New Deliveries: Nine new private student residences were completed in the last 12 months, primarily in major academic centres.
• Future Growth: Around 3,900 additional PBSA beds are expected to be delivered by the start of the 2027/2028 academic year.
• Public Dormitories: Public dormitory capacity is declining due to ongoing refurbishment projects that reduce room density.
• Total Student Beds: The total number of student accommodation beds in Poland is approximately 110,300, including both public and private schemes.
• Market Share: Private student accommodation accounts for 16% of total beds, with its share increasing steadily.
• Regional Distribution:
  • Kraków: 5,150 beds (29% of national stock)
  • Warsaw: 3,400 beds (19% of national stock)
  • Tricity: Expected to more than double to over 2,600 beds by 2028
  • Wrocław: Supply is projected to remain stable over the next two years
  • Poznań: Supply is expected to remain stable as well

Major Operators

The PBSA market in Poland is dominated by two major operators:

• Student Depot: ~4,600 beds (26% of market share)
• Xior Student Housing: ~4,000 beds (22% of market share)

Other notable players include:

• Milestone (11%)
• SHED Living (10%)
• Zeitraum Student Housing (5%)
• StudentSpace (7%)
• Start Park (3%)
• Collegia (3%)
• Reside Etudes (1%)

Additionally, numerous local providers operate standalone assets, collectively accounting for ~12% of the PBSA stock.

Key Academic Centres

• Warsaw: ~260,000 students
• Kraków: ~136,000 students
• Wrocław: ~132,000 students
• Poznań: ~126,000 students
• Tricity, Łódź, Lublin: ~60,000 students combined

Major universities include:

• University of Warsaw (~39,900 students)
• Jagiellonian University in Kraków (~33,400 students)
• Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań (~29,300 students)

Demand Trends

• Total Students: Exceeds 1.32 million, with a year-on-year increase of ~43,000.
• Domestic Students: 92% of the student population, increased by 4% year-on-year to over 1.2 million.
• International Students: ~102,000, a 6% decline from the previous year, but still the fourth-highest level in the last decade.
  • Ukraine: 46% of international students
  • Belarus: 11%
  • Turkey: 5%
  • EU (Erasmus+): Significant share
• Regional Focus: One-third of international students are in the Mazowieckie region.
• Supply vs. Demand: Student growth is outpacing supply, further widening the gap.

PBSA Bed Provision Rate

• National Provision Rate: 8.3%, meaning one bed per 11.9 students.
• Major Cities:
  • Warsaw: 1 bed per 77 students
  • Poznań: 1 bed per 96 students
  • Kraków: 1 bed per 27 students (most favorable)
• Forecast: Provision rates are expected to remain below 4% in most major cities, indicating a persistent supply-demand imbalance.

Occupancy Rate

• Average Occupancy: ~97%
• Demand: High demand in major academic centres often requires booking several months in advance.
• Supporting Factors:
  • Large international student population
  • Superior accommodation standards compared to public dorms
  • On-site amenities
  • Transparent leasing and all-inclusive rents

Rental Rates

Rental prices vary by location, asset quality, and amenities:

Additional fees may apply for services like parking and upgraded room specifications.

Investment Market

• Market Stage: Early stage of development, with limited investment transactions.
• Transaction Volumes:
  • 2022: EUR 108 million (peak)
  • 2025: EUR 87 million
  • H1 2026: No transactions recorded
• Largest Transaction: Xior's EUR 108 million acquisition in 2022, including three Basecamp assets in Łódź and Katowice (1,850 beds).
• Investment Activity: Xior remains the most active investor in the sector.
• Investment Case: Strong demand, high occupancy, and limited supply make the PBSA sector an attractive investment opportunity.

Contact Information

• Charles Taylor (CEO, Acting Head of Capital Markets): +48 722 202 030 | charles.taylor@pl.knightfrank.com
• Dorota Lachowska (Head of Research): +48 601 518 654 | dorota.lachowska@pl.knightfrank.com
• Małgorzata Krzystek (Head of Valuation & Advisory): +48 508 502 993 | malgorzata.krzystek@pl.knightfrank.com
• Krzysztof Cipiur (Director, Private Wealth): +48 695 662 756 | krzysztof.cipiur@pl.knightfrank.com
• Sylwia Jankowska (Investment Broker, Living & Hospitality): +48 697 037 969 | sylwia.jankowska@pl.knightfrank.com

Disclaimer

This report is for general information only and not to be relied upon in any way. Knight Frank cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage resulting from its use. Reproduction is not allowed without prior written permission.