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Practical info

Entering Poland and legalization of your stay

Studying abroad is an exciting and life-changing experience. However, there are several practical steps you still need to complete before your trip so that you are well-prepared and ready to begin your adventure in Poland. Please carefully check the regulations regarding to entering Poland from your country and legalisation of your stay. For all questions and visa letters please contact ces.studentservices@uj.edu.pl

Housing

Halls of Residence

The dorms that are usually available for our students are the following:

  • Nawojka: ul. Reymonta 11, phone/fax +48 (12) 37-81-100 (12) 37-81-300, nawojka@hotele.studenckie.pl
  • Żaczek: Al. 3 Maja 5, tel. +48(12) 62-21-100, fax +48 (12) 62-21-300, zaczek@hotele.studenckie.pl
  • Piast: ul. Piastowska 4, tel. +48 (12) 62-23-100, piast@hotele.studenckie.pl
  • Bydgoska: ul. Bydgoska 19, Tel. +48 (12) 638-77-89, bydgoska@hotelestudenckie.pl

Dormitories are offering double rooms only.

Take a look at our Housing Photo Gallery: https://ces.uj.edu.pl/-housingphotogallery

Private Off-Campus Housing

Although the Jagiellonian University is able to offer all international students places in the halls of residence, many of our postgraduate students choose to rent private flats while studying in Krakow. It is very easy to find flats in every size, in every area of Krakow, and at a broad range of prices.

Pluses and Minuses of Private Flats

On the one hand, living in a private flat allows students to control their environment to a greater extent than they could in the halls of residence – do their laundry whenever they can, cook meals in a well-equipped kitchen or invite guests over.

On the other hand, obtaining a residency permit may be slightly more difficult when living in a private flat. Private flats are much more expensive than the halls of residence. If there is a dispute about payment, damage or noise levels in a private flat, the tenant will be personally responsible for resolving it.

How to Look for a Flat?

Online ads: the most popular website for flat searching is Gumtree, where there are numerous offers of rooms to rent in shared apartments, people looking for roommates, flat owners looking for tenants without having to pay the real estate agencies etc.

Other websites are:

http://dom.gratka.pl/mieszkania-do-wynajecia/lista/malopolskie,krakow.html

https://ofertymieszkan.pl/szukaj/11329456

https://www.olx.pl/nieruchomosci/mieszkania/krakow/

http://laborooms.com/

Many of the ads are posted by private individuals, but real estate agencies also use this means to attract more clients.

Current students or alumni: some of the students from previous years have remained in Krakow and are happy to invite new students to split the cost of a flat with them. Some of the newly arrived students may already have a flat but will need a roommate. We will be happy to get the students in touch with each other about the flats – their requests can be posted on the bulletin board at the Institute of European Studies or forwarded to other interested students.

Facebook groups, Erasmus Facebook groups:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/527336080659504/?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/groups/krakowrooms/?ref=br_rs

https://www.facebook.com/groups/FINDYOURFLATINKRAKOW/?ref=br_rs

https://www.facebook.com/groups/44212006407/?ref=br_rs

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1456493581096205/?ref=br_rs

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1723180554581951/?ref=br_rs

https://www.facebook.com/groups/142442509694891/?ref=br_rs

Real Estate Agencies: there are numerous real estate agencies in Krakow that will help foreigners that are searching for a private flat. It is the agency’s duty to provide information on available flats for rent/lease, to set up appointments and to assist in negotiations with the owner of the property. Going through a real estate agency means that both the landlord and the tenant will have to pay up to one month’s rent in commission to the agency.

Student Life

Krakow is one of the most exciting and fun cities in Europe. It is a great city for young people, who may enjoy its charming cafes, unique movie theaters, intriguing museums, and lively nightlife. Student life revolves around the Rynek, the main square in the centre of the city, and Kazimierz, the old Jewish district. We highly encourage our students to take advantage of all that there is to discover.

Here is a selection of websites that can introduce you to the wide range of activities and events Krakow has to offer:

Magiczny Kraków (Official city website),

Karnet (Reliable guide to museums, galleries, concerts, and other cultural events),

Cracow Life (City guide and listings),

Krakow Post (Local English-language newspaper),

Lonely Planet Guide to Krakow.

Getting around

Jak Dojade (A very useful website for navigating the public transportation in Krakow),

MPK (Local public transport),

PKP (National Train Service),

Balice Airport (Krakow's International Airport).

Other

Health and Safety

There is nothing more important than your safety and well-being while abroad. That's why we've compiled these lists of requirements, recommendations, and tips that can help you stay your most healthy and safe. While an issue is unlikely to arise, should an unpleasant situation surface, our staff is available and able to be reached by phone 24 hours a day.

Health Insurance

Students are required to have health and accident coverage for the whole of their stay. When applying for a student visa, students are expected to have health insurance from their home country. Medical, accident and life insurance are the responsibility of the student at the Jagiellonian University. The staff at the Institute of European Studies will be happy to advise and assist our students with any aspect of medical care, but responsibility for registering for, purchasing and maintaining appropriate insurance remains with the student. The Jagiellonian University cannot assume responsibility or liability for any medical needs not covered by the student's existing coverage.

It is also possible, although not as likely to be necessary, to purchase a wide variety of additional insurance plans from private companies in Poland.

Health and well-being

If you get sick while in Krakow, there are plenty of English-speaking doctors and clinics around town. Our staff is also available to make appointments and accompany students to their visit, in case of any linguistic concerns or just for support.

Safety Tips

Poland is a 27th safest country in the world according to the (Worlds Safest Countries), although the Institute of European Studies recommends the following safety precautions when travelling in a new and foreign country:

  • Use common sense
  • Make photocopies of your credit and debit cards as well as your passport and ID’s
  • Watch your pocketbooks and backpacks. Do not leave any belongings unattended
  • Close the doors to your dorm rooms and apartments

Student Conduct

It is necessary to highlight the student conduct code at the Institute of European Studies, which is sternly upheld. None of the below mentioned examples of misconduct will be tolerated and may result in disciplinary action:

  • Violation of law
  • Abuse of alcohol, and use or abuse of illegal drugs
  • Academic misconduct, including plagiarism and cheating
  • Assault or Sexual Assault
  • Vandalism of public property or disruption of peace in the community
  • Acts of discrimination on basis of gender, race, religion or sexual orientation

Be prepared in case of emergency

In case of emergency, our dedicated staff is available by phone 24/7. The following is a list of important phone numbers that you should have saved in your cellphone for the duration of your stay:

INSTITUTE OF EUROPEAN STUDIES (Administration Office)

Reymonta 4, 30-059 Kraków, Poland

Phone: (+48) 12 663 27 80

Emergency Number(s): (+48) 507-006-572, (+48) 506-006-661

Medical emergency: 999

Fire brigade: 998

Police: 997

European emergency number: 112

Many callers use 999 (officially for medical emergencies) as a general number for all types of emergencies. 998 will reach the Fire Brigade and 997 reaches the national Police.

Municipal Police of Krakow 986, is a separate institution working alongside the National Police.

Another useful number is 992 for emergencies related to gas pipes and installations.

The main number for the Jagiellonian University is +48 12 422 1033.