As demand for purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) continues to grow across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), ASK4 has been engaging directly with local stakeholders to better understand the unique opportunities and challenges in these markets.
In May and June, Susanna Graziano, ASK4’s Head of Business Development, participated in BONARD’s recent Property Tours in Warsaw, Kraków and Prague. As the official partner of the tours, we were proud to join a series of visits that brought together developers, investors, and operators to explore high-performing assets, emerging schemes, and regional trends shaping the future of student living in CEE.
Poland: High demand, undersupply and a maturing market
The Poland tour included visits to Warsaw and Kraków—two cities seeing sustained growth in student numbers and PBSA interest. Some of the key takeaways from the tours were:
- Supply remains low: Only 1 in 10 students has access to purpose-built accommodation, highlighting significant development potential.
- Occupancy is strong: Occupancy rates of 98% - 100% show that well-located, high-quality schemes lease up quickly and perform reliably.
- Demand is evolving: With international student numbers increasing steadily (7.2% year-on-year), and domestic students increasingly open to modern, community-oriented housing, expectations are changing.
- Diversification is emerging: Investors are exploring flex living and mixed-use residential models that reduce dependency on academic cycles.
Following the tours, Susanna commented:
“Polish PBSA is becoming more sophisticated. Developers are thinking not just about beds, but about long-term value, lifestyle, and operational resilience.”
Standout projects from the tour included:
- Milestone Kraków: a renovation that carefully balances heritage and modern comfort.
- Basecamp by Xior: demonstrating strong amenity-led design and brand positioning.
- 1AM (Warsaw & Kraków): high delivery standards and speed to market.
- Zeitraum: operational efficiency and resident satisfaction on show.
- Noli Studios: showcasing flexible living aligned with shifting tenant behaviours.
Prague: High occupancy, global appeal, and long-term potential
In Prague, the tour focused on both student housing and BTR assets in a market with similar challenges; undersupply, rising student demand, and regulatory hurdles.
Susanna’s main observations from the tour were that:
- Occupancy remains high, with schemes reporting 97–99%.
- International student numbers are growing, with over 55,000 studying in the country in recent years.
- Developers are increasingly exploring PBSA and co-living as viable models, but slow permitting processes are affecting speed to market.
For local developers and investors, this means clear opportunities, but also the need for trusted, proven partners who understand student needs, operational complexity, and the importance of connectivity.
Why ASK4 is engaging with the CEE market
ASK4 specialises in providing manged Internet and smart building services across multiple European markets, designed specifically for student housing and BTR environments. With extensive experience supporting both new developments and complex refurbishments, we offer flexible models for long-term partnerships or operator-led delivery, ensuring seamless connectivity, performance and resident satisfaction.
By participating in tours like BONARD’s, we’re not just sharing knowledge, it’s about what we learn. These type of events enable us to actively listen, engage with local markets, better understand the challenges and opportunities and how we can support developers and operators in CEE countries. This in turn allows us to create solutions that meet student expectations, streamline operational burdens and add value to leasing propositions.
Stay updated with ASK4
We’re keen to speak with developers, investors and operators shaping the future of PBSA in CEE.
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👉 Learn more about BONARD's upcoming tours
👇 Want to explore how ASK4 can support your development or portfolio? Book a meeting with Susanna to talk about your next project
