Increase in the minimum housing rate and regulation of accommodation in Ciechanów and Tarnów – specified changes are foreseen in the draft regulation prepared in the MON. The fresh rules, which are to enter into force in October, will, among others, offset the differences in the payment of these charges in various uniform services.
Under the Act on the accommodation of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland, all professional soldier is entitled to accommodation. It may, for example, live in a housing unit owned by the Military Property Agency, boarding home or boarding home or receive a residential benefit, i.e. a monthly financial allowance for those who rent an flat on their own or pay off a residential loan. The amount of the benefit is calculated as the product of the basic rate (PLN 300) and the ratio of the benefit dependent on the garrison in which the soldier serves (from 2.1 to 6,0). In practice, the benefit is presently between PLN 630 and PLN 1800.
Balance the difference
Soon, however, the minimum amount is expected to increase. The reason for the change is the request to bridge the gap in the lower limit of housing provision between the military and another uniformed services. In the second half of August, a draft government was sent to the Sejm, which assumes that the ratio of housing benefits (location multiplier) for officers (e.g. Police, Border Guard, State Fire Service or interior safety Agency) will be between PLN 3 (900) and PLN 6 (1800).
In consequence to this, a draft regulation was created in the MON to increase the minimum benefit rate from 2.1 to 3. – erstwhile the rules are changed, the basic rate will stay unchanged, while the benefit ratio will be between 3 and 6. In practice, the lowest benefit will be based on a akin PLN 900 level, as in the case of officers,” says Jakub Szczepański, the press spokesperson of the Military Property Agency. As he stresses, this will solve the problem of the unequal treatment of professional and uniformed soldiers from another services.
Soldiers will benefit from the changes from 47 garrisons, in which presently the housing benefit rate is lower than 3. More will be given to professional soldiers from Black, Inowrocław and Brodnica (an increase from 2.4 to 3, i.e. from 720 to 900 zł) and those who service in Hrubieszów, Giżyck and Lidzbark Warmiński (an increase from 2.7 to 3, i.e. from 810 to 900 zł).
Benefits to fresh garrisons
However, this is not the only amendment to the draft regulation. The proposed amendment besides results from the creation of this year two fresh garrisons: Ciechanów and Tarnów. In the first one, Command 5 of the Territorial Defence Brigade is stationed today, and the 1st Legion Infantry Division is formed. In Tarnów, in turn, its office are 113th Battalion of the Light Infantry 11th Małopolska Territorial Defence Brigade.
According to the proposals, the coefficient for Ciechanów garrison will be 3.3 (the amount of the benefit will be 990 PLN) and in the case of Tarnowa 4.3 (1290 PLN). The proposed coefficients are akin to those in force in the garrisons of Przasnysz and Kraków, which previously belonged to Ciechanów and Tarnów. “The soldiers in these towns have not changed their place of service, so taking specified a solution will keep their right to receive a benefit in the amount to date,” explains AMW’s spokesman.
As estimated by the representatives of the MON, the changes will include over 36,000 professional soldiers from the 47 present garrisons and about 674 soldiers who will begin to service in the fresh garrisons. According to MON's plans, the fresh regulations are due to enter into force in October.
Housing benefits are increasingly popular in the army, and the number of professional soldiers utilizing them is steadily increasing. In 2022 75,744 benefits were paid on average per month, in 2023 – 85,795, in 2024 – 100,744, and in April 2025, 108,400 soldiers were paid. The average benefit in April of that year amounted to over PLN 1000.
Last increases in housing benefits occurred in January 2025. Higher rates were then introduced in 75 out of all 106 garrisons.
