At Future of Real Estate 2026 in Warsaw, one observation kept resurfacing across the panel discussion on senior living: Polish senior living today sits where Polish PRS sat in 2017. The demographic case is undeniable. The capital case is compelling. And the structural answer — operators, regulation, tax — is where the real value will be created. For institutional investors looking at CEE, the question is no longer whether to enter the Polish senior living market. It is when, and through which structure, writes Piotr Zając, Managing Partner at Accace Poland, in an opinion piece for Property Forum.

In a video interview recorded at Future of Real Estate 2026 in Warsaw, Piotr Zając, Managing Partner at Accace Poland, discusses the key trends shaping Poland's real estate market. He explains why investors are increasingly focusing on quality assets, highlights the growing appeal of senior living and other alternative sectors, and shares his view on how regulations are influencing investment decisions.

European investors are shifting capital from traditional commercial real estate to operational sectors, with purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) emerging as the most sought-after segment for the first time, according to Savills' investor sentiment survey.

Residential investment sectors are gaining traction across Europe, with the volume of capital targeting student accommodation, the private rented sector and purpose-built age-targeted housing continuing to rise, according to Knight Frank’s European Residential Investment Survey 2022.

The senior living aspect of the European healthcare market continues to attract new capital according to the “European Healthcare - A Growth Market” just released by Colliers. Strong demographic demand and limited supply of customer options are the drivers of the capital to this sector.

Hochtief Polska has signed a contract for the execution of the nursing home Residence Saint Jadwiga at Pulaskiego/Traugutta in Wroclaw. The project is being carried out for Orpea Polska sp. z o.o. The construction works start in the near future and will take about 19 months.

Co-living has become a buzzword on the real estate market, but sharing living space, interests and values can benefit not only young people, corporate professionals or students. Cushman & Wakefield’s latest insight report “Co-living – a new era for the real estate investment market in Poland” explores senior housing. Forecasts by the Polish Central Statistical Office (GUS) indicate that by 2050 the number of Polish people aged 60 and over will have risen by approximately 52%. Co-living therefore represents both an opportunity for retirees to enjoy a new lifestyle and a trend that has a strong growth potential.

According to Savills, more than €700 million has been invested in the senior living sector across the UK and Europe since the beginning of the year, which is the highest level ever recorded. In Poland, the market in this sector is on an early stage of development but has great potential.