Is IKEA cheaper in Poland or Germany?

Why IKEA prices differ between countries

IKEA's national organisations set their own prices based on local costs, competition, wages, logistics and purchasing power. VAT plays a role too: Poland's standard rate is 23% while Germany's is 19%, which on its own would make Polish prices higher. In practice, lower local costs and different pricing strategies mean that some products are cheaper in Poland and others are cheaper in Germany.

Exchange rates matter as well. Polish prices are set in złoty. When the złoty weakens against the euro, Polish IKEA prices become cheaper in euro terms until IKEA reprices, and when it strengthens, the advantage shrinks. A comparison you did last year may no longer be accurate.

What tends to differ most

Larger furniture items, such as shelving units, wardrobes, sofas and beds, are where absolute price differences are most noticeable, simply because the prices are higher. Smaller accessories and food items can also vary, but the savings per item are small and rarely justify a trip on their own.

Promotions are national. IKEA Family offers, seasonal sales and clearance areas differ by country and by store, so the same product can be discounted on one side of the border and not on the other. Product ranges also differ slightly; not every item or colour is available in every country.

Things to check before you go

Delivery: IKEA online shops generally deliver only within their own country. If you order from IKEA Poland, you will typically need a Polish delivery address or to collect in store. For large furniture, that means transporting it yourself, so check that it fits in your car.

Returns: IKEA's return policies are set nationally. Returning a product bought in Poland to a German store is usually not possible, so you may need to travel back to a Polish store for a return or exchange. Keep your receipt.

Language and assembly: assembly instructions are mostly pictorial, but product information, warranty documents and some labels will be in Polish. Electrical items should be compatible within the EU, as both countries use the same plug and voltage standards.

Payment: paying in złoty with a euro card may involve a foreign transaction fee. If a card terminal offers to charge you in euros instead, the conversion rate offered at the terminal is often worse than your bank's rate, so paying in the local currency is usually cheaper.

Is it worth the trip?

Add up the price difference for everything on your list, then subtract fuel or travel costs, tolls, your time, and the risk of having to travel again for a return. For a single small item, the trip rarely pays off. For a full room of furniture, it might. If you live close to the border, combining an IKEA visit with other errands improves the calculation.

Within the EU there are no customs duties on goods for personal use, so you can bring furniture bought in Poland into Germany without declaring it.

How to compare with Border Buy

Search for the product name exactly as IKEA uses it, for example "IKEA Kallax" or "Billy bookcase", and select Germany and Poland. Switch to EUR to see both prices in the same currency. Because IKEA has many variants of popular products, check that the size and colour in the results are the same before comparing. Then confirm the current price on IKEA's own website for each country.