Warsaw is the biggest migration magnet in the country
For years, Warsaw has remained the strongest migration magnet in Poland, attracting young, ambitious and mobile residents from all over the country. This concentration of talent and capital shapes the future of the real estate market, both in the capital and in the regions, creating challenges that require a common strategy for the coming years.
Poland is experiencing one of the largest waves of internal migration in recent years. It appears that its direction remains unchanged. The most common choice is Warsaw, which attracts mainly residents from the eastern provinces (Podlaskie, Lubelskie, Podkarpackie). People from larger regional centres such as Kraków, Wrocław, Poznań and Gdańsk are also moving to the capital.
High salaries, business concentration, education and career opportunities mean that many young people decide to stay here permanently. This drives housing demand, which, despite rising prices, remains exceptionally strong.
As a result, the capital remains the market with the highest transaction liquidity, and the peripheral districts, i.e. Białołęka, Bemowo, Ursus, Wawer and Wilanów, are becoming key areas of expansion. The influx of migrants also means an increase in demand for rentals and growing interest from institutional investors, particularly in the medium-term rental and first-time buyer segments.
At the same time, cities on the so-called eastern wall are struggling with depopulation and the weakening of local markets, which points to the need for a new approach to housing policy and balancing regional development.
All this raises one of the most important strategic questions of the coming decade: will Warsaw remain the only dominant centre in the country, or will a second development pole emerge?
Polish Real Estate Forum 2026 in Sopot will bring together businesses, local governments and investors to discuss the future of Polish cities and the direction of residential investment.