How much does it cost to study in Poland in 2026?

Tuition fees for non-EU students range from EUR 2,000 to EUR 6,000 per year for standard degrees. MBA programs cost EUR 8,000-12,000. Doctoral programs are tuition-free. Monthly living costs range from 2,500 PLN in Łódź to 4,500 PLN in Warsaw.

What is the NAWA Banach Scholarship?

The Banach Programme is NAWA's premier fully-funded scholarship for Master's students from developing countries. It covers full tuition, monthly living stipend, and relocation support. The 2026 deadline is May 8 at 15:00 CET.

Can international students work in Poland?

Yes. Full-time students have unlimited working hours with no separate work permit required. Students under 26 on Umowa Zlecenie contracts pay zero income tax (up to PLN 85,528/year) and zero social security — gross pay equals net take-home pay. The 2026 minimum wage is PLN 30.50/hour.

What is the SYRENA system for diploma recognition?

SYRENA is NAWA's digital platform for foreign diploma recognition (nostrification), mandatory since July 2025. Processing takes 30-60 days. Conditional admission is no longer accepted — the final digital certificate is required at enrollment.

What are long-cycle degrees in Poland?

Long-cycle degrees are integrated 4.5-6 year programs (300-360 ECTS) that combine Bachelor's and Master's into one curriculum. They are mandatory for Medicine, Dentistry, Law, Pharmacy, and several other regulated professions. Graduates receive the title Magister, Lekarz, or Lekarz dentysta.

Scholarship Hub

Six routes to fully funded study.

Poland's national scholarship architecture is built around NAWA, the National Agency for Academic Exchange. Below, the six programs that matter most for the 2026 cycle.

SYRENA Digital Nostrification Required

Since July 1, 2025, all diploma recognition is processed through the SYRENA digital system. Conditional admission is no longer accepted — you must hold the final nostrification certificate at enrollment. Processing takes 30–60 days with a strict 14-day correction window.

Read the SYRENA guide

Banach Programme Deadline

Applications for the 2026 intake must be finalized by May 8, 2026 at 15:00 CET. The NAWA portal closes automatically — late submissions are not accepted. B2 English proficiency is standard, but B1 is acceptable if you enroll in the optional preparatory Polish language course.

Flagship

NAWA

May 8, 2026

Banach Programme

Engineering · Technical · Agricultural · Exact sciences

Master's applicants from developing & Eastern Partnership countries (e.g., India, Nigeria, Vietnam)

What you get

·Full tuition waiver
·Monthly living stipend
·B1 accepted with preparatory Polish language year
·Relocation support

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NAWA

March 15, 2026

Gen. Anders Programme

All disciplines

International students of documented Polish origin (diaspora)

What you get

·Bachelor's or Master's level
·Full tuition waiver
·Monthly stipend
·Polish language preparation

NAWA

Rolling

Poland My First Choice

Top-ranked Master's programs

High-achieving applicants from selected global regions

What you get

·Tuition coverage
·Monthly grant
·Top IDUB universities
·Career mentoring

NAWA

June 30, 2026

Polonista NAWA

Polish language, literature, history, culture

Researchers and students of Polish studies abroad

What you get

·Stipend 2,000 PLN/month for students
·3,300 PLN/month for PhD candidates
·Research access
·Library privileges

V4 Fund

March 15, 2026

Visegrad Scholarship

All disciplines

Master's and post-Master's from V4 / Eastern Partnership / Western Balkans

What you get

·€3,500 per semester
·€2,000 to host institution
·Up to 2 semesters
·EU mobility

University-funded

Varies (typically May–June)

Doctoral School Stipend

All research areas

Every admitted PhD candidate

What you get

·Tuition-free
·Universal monthly stipend
·4-year coverage
·Research budget

Read full briefing