Can International Students Study for Free in Poland?

Yes, international students can study for free in Poland under certain conditions. For example, if you have a Polish Card (Karta Polaka), permanent residency in Poland, refugee status, or citizenship of an EU country, you are eligible to study Polish-taught programs at public universities without paying tuition fees. Additionally, you can apply for scholarships from NAWA, the Erasmus+ program, or university-specific grants.

What Scholarships Are Available for International Students in Poland?

International students in Poland can apply for the following scholarships:- NAWA Programs: Stefan Banach Scholarship Program, Poland My First Choice, General Anders Scholarship, and POLONISTA.- Erasmus+: Exchange programs at Polish universities.- University Scholarships: Vistula Merit Scholarship, academic scholarships for high GPAs, sports scholarships, and need-based scholarships.- University Engagement Scholarships: Tuition discounts for active participation in student clubs and university events.

Are Entrance Exams Required for Tuition-Free Programs?

For most humanities and social sciences programs, entrance exams are not required — you just need to submit the required documents, a good diploma, and a valid language certificate. However, for some technical, medical, and creative programs (like design or architecture), entrance exams or interviews may be necessary.

What Level of Language Proficiency Is Required to Study in Poland?

To study in Polish-taught programs, you need at least a B2 level of Polish, and some programs may require C1. For English-taught programs, universities typically ask for IELTS scores of 6.0 or higher or TOEFL scores of 79 or above. Some universities also accept their own internal language tests.

Can You Work While Studying in Poland?

Yes, international students in Poland are allowed to work legally. Unlike many EU countries, there are no official limits on working hours for students. You can work full-time during holidays and part-time during the academic year.

How Much Does It Cost to Live in Poland as a Student?

The average monthly cost of living in Poland ranges from €400 to €600, including housing, food, and transportation. Expenses tend to be higher in large cities like Warsaw, Kraków, and Wrocław, and lower in smaller cities such as Lublin or Szczecin.

Is It Possible to Study for Free in English?

Yes, some scholarship programs — such as Poland My First Choice and the Vistula Merit Scholarship — offer full tuition coverage for programs taught in English. However, you must go through a competitive selection process and meet all the academic and language requirements.

Tuition-Free Universities in Poland

Poland is one of the most popular destinations in Europe for international students thanks to its high-quality education and relatively low tuition fees. However, many applicants ask: Is it possible to study in Poland for free? The answer is yes! Poland offers a variety of opportunities for tuition-free education, especially for international students.

✔️ You can study for free in Poland through:

Government-funded scholarship programs, such as NAWA and Erasmus+
Bilateral agreements between Poland and other countries
Merit-based scholarships offered directly by universities
The Polish Card (Karta Polaka) program, which gives the same educational rights as Polish citizens

Tuition-Free Study Programs in Poland

The Polish government and universities offer a wide range of programs that fully or partially cover tuition fees. Here are the most popular ones:

✔️ NAWA Government Scholarships

The Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) runs several programs for international students:

Stefan Banach Scholarship Program — designed for Master's degree students from developing countries.

- Full coverage of tuition fees at public universities.- A monthly scholarship of approximately 1500 PLN.- Requirements: Bachelor's degree and language proficiency (Polish or English at a B2 level).

Poland My First Choice — aimed at students from EU countries and several partner nations.

- Two-year Master's degree programs.- Scholarships for the entire study period.

General Anders Scholarship Program — for students with Polish heritage.

- Tuition-free studies at the Bachelor's or Master's level.- Additional preparation courses for the Polish language.

POLONISTA Program — focuses on promoting Polish philology among international students.

- Grants for study programs related to Polish culture and language.

✔️ Erasmus+ and Other International Programs

The Erasmus+ Program allows students from EU countries and partner nations to study at Polish universities through exchange programs. It covers not only tuition fees but also part of the living expenses.In addition to Erasmus+, there are bilateral cooperation programs with specific countries, such as the USA, Australia, Turkey, Kazakhstan, and others.

✔️ University Scholarships

Many Polish universities offer their own grants and scholarships that can fully cover tuition costs:

All universities — both private and public institutions provide scholarships for students with high academic performance and active participation in university life.
Technical universities — offer scholarships for winners of scientific competitions, inter-university projects, and contests.
Vistula University in Warsaw offers a unique scholarship program called Vistula Merit Scholarship, which is targeted at students with excellent academic achievements. This scholarship covers 100% of tuition fees.

Tuition-Free Public Universities in Poland

Some public universities in Poland offer tuition-free education in Polish for EU citizens, holders of the Polish Card (Karta Polaka), and individuals with permanent residency. Here are some of the most popular public universities:

University of Warsaw — the largest and one of the oldest universities in Poland.
Jagiellonian University in Kraków — one of the most prestigious universities in Europe.
University of Wrocław — well-known for its humanities and scientific programs.
Technical Universities (Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław) — specializing in technical and engineering fields.

If you hold a Polish Card (Karta Polaka) or EU citizenship, you are eligible to study in Polish-taught programs for free.

Tuition-Free Public Universities in Poland

Scholarships Available for All Students

Even if you did not win a government scholarship or secure a spot in an international program, there are plenty of ways to receive financial support during your studies in Poland. These scholarships are available to all students — both Polish citizens and internationals — if certain conditions are met

✔️ Academic Scholarship (for High Academic Performance)

Almost every public and private university in Poland awards scholarships to top-performing students who demonstrate high academic achievements during a semester or academic year. To qualify for this scholarship, a student typically needs to maintain a GPA of 4.0–4.5 or higher (on a 5-point scale, requirements may vary by university) and sometimes participate in scientific or research activities. The scholarship amount ranges from 600 to 1500 PLN per month, depending on the university and the student's achievements.

✔️ University Engagement Scholarship

If you are actively involved in student clubs, organize events, or represent the university in competitions, you may qualify for additional financial support. Universities encourage students who participate in student government, organize scientific conferences, or engage in university projects. For example, at Lazarski University, active students can receive up to a 30% discount on tuition fees.

✔️ Sports Scholarship

Are you an athlete with notable achievements? Polish universities highly value talented athletes and provide them with additional financial support. To apply, you must submit diplomas, certificates, or awards from regional or international competitions. Sports scholarships can reach up to 1000 PLN per month, and recipients often get the opportunity to represent the university at sports events with full support (equipment, travel, etc.).

✔️ Social Scholarship (Need-Based Support)

If you come from a low-income family or face challenging life situations, you can apply for social assistance from the university. This type of scholarship is also available to international students studying for free (e.g., holders of the Polish Card, permanent residents, refugees, etc.). To apply, you must provide documents proving that your family's income is below the minimum subsistence level. The average amount of social support ranges from 600 to 900 PLN per month, and there is also the possibility of one-time emergency assistance (zapomoga) in case of illness, loss of income, or other unforeseen situations.

How to Apply to a Tuition-Free University in Poland

Studying at a tuition-free university in Poland is a real opportunity for international students to receive high-quality European education without significant financial costs. In this section, we will go through the main steps you need to follow to become a student at one of the top Polish universities for free.

✔️ Step 1. Choose a Program and a University

The first thing you need to do is select your study program and university. Keep in mind that tuition-free education is mostly available at public universities for programs taught in Polish. For international students from the EU, holders of the Polish Card (Karta Polaka), individuals with permanent residency, or refugee status, education at these universities is free of charge.

If you do not belong to these categories, consider applying for NAWA scholarship programs:

Stefan Banach Scholarship Program — Master's degree for students from developing countries.
Poland My First Choice — Master's degree for EU citizens and partner countries.
General Anders Scholarship Program — Bachelor's and Master's studies for holders of the Polish Card.
POLONISTA Program — for students interested in Polish philology and language studies.

✔️ Step 2. Prepare the Required Documents

To apply for a tuition-free program or participate in a scholarship competition, you need to collect the following documents:

High school diploma or Bachelor's degree with an apostille or legalization, if required by your home country.
Language proficiency certificate (Polish or English). Typically, this is B2 or higher. For Polish-taught programs, C1 or completion of a preparatory course is often required.
Motivation letter — a crucial part of your application, where you explain why you want to study in Poland and why you chose the specific program.
Recommendation letters (if required by the program).
Copy of your passport — it must be valid for at least 18 months from the date of application.
Medical certificate confirming your health status (sometimes required by the university).

✔️ Step 3. Submit Your Application to the University

Most Polish universities use online platforms for submitting applications. The typical process looks like this:

1️⃣ Register on the university’s website and create a personal account.
2️⃣ Upload all required documents in digital format.
3️⃣ Pay the application fee (if applicable). In some cases, NAWA scholarship applicants are exempt from this fee.
4️⃣ Wait for document verification and an invitation for an interview (if required).

Important: Applications for NAWA scholarship programs must be submitted through the official NAWA website, and then confirmed by the chosen university.

✔️ Step 4. Entrance Exams (if required)

Some study programs may require entrance exams or interviews, especially for creative fields like design, architecture, or medical studies. However, for most humanities and social sciences, no entrance exams are needed — a solid diploma and valid language certificate are usually sufficient.

✔️ Step 5. Receive an Acceptance Letter and Apply for a Visa

Once you successfully pass the admission process, you will receive an Acceptance Letter. This document is necessary for applying for a national type D student visa, which allows you to stay in Poland for the full duration of your studies.

Frequently Asked Questions