Warsaw: living between Żoliborz Mokotów and Praga

Śródmieście, the centre, offers short distances to offices, culture and the rebuilt Old Town, but little space for removal vans and paid parking. To the north lies Żoliborz with lots of green space and a connection to metro line M1; to the south Mokotów with residential areas and the Służewiec office district, as well as Ursynów at the southern end of the M1. Wola, west of the centre, has changed considerably with new office towers and housing projects.

On the right bank of the Vistula lie Praga-Północ with many older buildings and Praga-Południe, both served by metro line M2; Bemowo in the west has also been connected to the M2 for a few years. Wilanów in the south, with its palace, is popular with families but has no metro. When looking for a flat, it is advisable to contact estate agents early, as sought-after offers are taken quickly.

We do not quote specific rents because they vary greatly depending on the district, year of construction and fittings; compare current listings in złoty. As the capital, Warsaw is home to the government, ministries and the Warsaw Stock Exchange (GPW), plus banks, consultancies, IT companies and the EU agency Frontex. Many international companies have their Polish headquarters here.

The best-known universities include the University of Warsaw, the Warsaw University of Technology (Politechnika Warszawska) and the SGH Warsaw School of Economics. In everyday life, the network of metro, trams and buses counts, as do parks such as Łazienki Park. Coming from Berlin, you can reach the city via the A2 or directly by train.

The cost depends on the size of the flat and the distance. Smaller one-room flats move from €359. Somewhat larger two-room flats start from €579. For 3 rooms we calculate from €915, for 4 rooms from €1,279. For a house or villa we always prepare an individual quote. For long-distance moves there is also a price per kilometre from €4.20. Book a free survey now for a concrete quote.

For an exact price, the moving volume, the number of kilometres (from €4.20/km) and the floor and lift play an important role. We also take into account whether a parking restriction zone has to be set up. On request we also take care of furniture assembly or a part load.

We are based in Berlin and offer long-distance moves throughout Germany and abroad, for example via the A2 to Warsaw. You can find more information under Long-distance moves; the locations overview shows which destinations have their own page.

In Warsaw, the Zarząd Dróg Miejskich (ZDM) manages the municipal roads and parking. For the Strefa Płatnego Parkowania Niestrzeżonego (SPPN, the unguarded paid parking zone), the ZDM gives the following rules: charges apply Monday to Friday from 8 am to 8 pm, except on 2 May and on 24 and 31 December. The first hour costs 4.50 złoty, the second 5.40 złoty and the third 6.40 złoty; payment is by app, SMS or machine. Note that this information only applies to the municipal zone.

For traffic-calmed areas of the city centre, the ZDM issues identifiers. The zone around parts of Bracka, Chmielna, Szpitalna, Złota and Zgoda streets is closed to traffic. The NC identifier is issued, among others, to residents of properties that can only be reached from within the zone. You submit applications at ul. Chmielna 120 (Mon–Fri 7:30 am–3:30 pm) or by email to [email protected]. According to the ZDM, processing takes no more than 30 days. The identifier does not exempt you from traffic signs. For the Royal Route (Trakt Królewski) and for lorries, the ZDM lists separate identifiers (TK as well as C-5/C-10 and C-16), whose requirements you can read on zdm.waw.pl.

For the route from Berlin, read our guide Long-distance move to Poland. The International move page shows which services we offer on the route.

Anyone moving to Warsaw must register. According to gov.pl, EU and EFTA citizens have until the 30th day after moving in at the latest, citizens of other countries until the fourth day. You register with the municipal office (urząd gminy) of your place of residence. According to gov.pl, online registration is possible for EU citizens; non-EU citizens must appear in person. The procedure is free of charge; a certificate of temporary residence costs 17 złoty. You should bring the registration form, passport or identity card and proof of your right to live there, for example the tenancy agreement.

On the route, the e-TOLL system applies to heavy vehicles in Poland on the toll sections of the road authority GDDKiA. According to etoll.gov.pl, users register via an online customer account, activate an approved tracking device and choose a payment method. We sort this out before departure so that nothing is left open on the route. On customs: according to zoll.de, private individuals may bring goods from an EU country duty-free. The removal goods procedure (Übersiedlungsgut) applies to moves from non-EU countries.

How we structure a move to Poland is set out in the checklist for emigrating to Poland. We record the floor, lift and access of the Warsaw address during the survey and agree the loading route with you so that nothing is left open on moving day.