Buying Property in Poland

🔍 Can Foreigners Buy Property in Poland?

Short answer: yes. Long answer: yes, but it depends on what you’re buying and where. Citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) can buy most types of property without restriction. If you’re from outside the EEA, you may need a permit from the Ministry of the Interior, especially if you’re eyeing up land or a detached house in the middle of nowhere.

• 🌍 EU/EEA citizens? You’re golden. Apartments, houses, no problem.
• 📜 Non-EU citizens? You might need that magic permit.
• 🚫 Agricultural land is tricky. The government is protective of its cows.

💰 What Will It Cost Me?

Property in Poland is still relatively affordable compared to much of Western Europe – though prices are creeping up, especially in the big cities. Warsaw is the priciest, followed by Kraków, Wrocław, and Gdańsk. Smaller towns and rural areas? Absolute bargains, assuming you’re okay with the occasional wild boar in your garden.

• 🏢 City-centre flat in Warsaw: Expect €3,000–€5,000 per m².
• 🏡 Countryside cottage: Possibly under €50,000. Bring your own plumbing.
• 💸 Don’t forget: agency fees, notary fees, taxes… they all add up.

📝 The Buying Process (Without the Panic)

It’s not that different from other countries – just with more stamps, signatures, and the occasional grumpy official. The whole process usually takes 1–3 months if everything goes smoothly. And by “smoothly”, we mean no bureaucratic black holes.

• 🔍 Step 1: Find a property. Online portals, estate agents, or word of mouth.
• 💼 Step 2: Hire a lawyer. Seriously, get one. Preferably bilingual.
• 🤝 Step 3: Sign a preliminary agreement (umowa przedwstępna) and pay a deposit.
• 🖋️ Step 4: Sign the notarial deed (akt notarialny) in front of a notary.
• 📄 Step 5: Register your new property in the land and mortgage register.

📃 What’s in the Paperwork?

When buying a property in Poland, the paperwork is thick and fast – but it’s all there for good reason. Make sure you get your hands on (and understand) the following:

• 📑 Land registry extract (księga wieczysta) – shows ownership and any debts.
• 🏗️ Property plan and legal status – are you buying what you think you’re buying?
• 💸 Confirmation of no outstanding utility bills or service charges.

👀 Pro tip: Always double-check there are no hidden debts, unpaid taxes, or co-owners who’ve mysteriously disappeared.

👩‍💼 Do I Need a Notary?

Yes, you absolutely do. In Poland, all property sales must go through a notary public, who drafts and signs the final contract. They’re part legal expert, part translator, part magician. They make the sale official and send everything to the land registry office. You pay them, of course. This is Poland, after all – nothing is ever free.

• 🖋️ Notary fees: around 0.5%–2% of the property value.
• 📨 You’ll also pay for the land registry entry and a small court fee.

🏛️ What About Taxes?

Ah, the joy of taxes. If you’re buying on the secondary market (i.e. from a previous owner), you’ll pay a 2% property transfer tax (podatek od czynności cywilnoprawnych). For new builds from developers, VAT is usually included in the price (either 8% or 23%).

• 💰 2% transfer tax = standard for older properties.
• 🏗️ New builds come with VAT, but no transfer tax.
• 📋 Other costs: legal, notary, agent fees… budget around 6–10% on top of the purchase price.

📦 Can I Buy to Let?

Absolutely. Poland’s rental market is booming – particularly in university cities and business hubs. Many foreigners buy apartments to rent out to students, workers, or tourists. Just remember to declare your income and follow the rules (yes, even the boring ones).

• 🏙️ Cities like Kraków and Wrocław are rental goldmines.
• 💼 Long-term lets? Steady income. Short-term? Higher profit, more hassle.
• 🧾 Register as a landlord and pay your taxes like a good citizen.

🚫 Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Buying property in a foreign country can be a dream… or a disaster. Here’s what to watch out for:

• 🔍 Not doing due diligence on the legal status of the property.
• 🧙‍♂️ Trusting a “friend of a friend” to handle legal documents. Spoiler: don’t.
• 📉 Assuming prices will always go up. They might not.

💡 A Few Final Tips for Foreign Buyers

Before you go dreaming of a life in a rustic village with chickens and cherry trees, here are a few practical things to keep in mind:

• 🏦 UK banks don’t finance Polish properties. If you’re hoping to take out a mortgage with your high-street bank back home to fund your Polish dream house—think again. UK-based banks typically don’t offer loans for foreign property purchases, especially outside the UK. This means you’ll need to look at options within Poland.
• 💰 Polish mortgages often require earnings in PLN. Polish banks prefer lending to applicants who earn in złoty (PLN), which means your foreign income might not qualify—or could complicate the application. Some banks may still consider your case, but be prepared for stricter terms, higher deposits, or more paperwork.
• ⚠️ Some expats use personal loans from the UK to buy outright—but this carries risk. Taking out an unsecured loan in the UK and converting it into a property purchase in Poland can seem like a quick solution, especially if you’re buying something inexpensive. But beware—interest rates may be high, the currency exchange can fluctuate, and if anything goes wrong, you’re left juggling debt in one country while owning property in another. It’s definitely not a path for the faint-hearted.

🏁 In short: buying property in Poland is totally doable – it just requires patience, paperwork, and a good translator (or six). But once you’re holding those keys and sipping your morning coffee in your own Polish pad? Worth every signature.

Also read: Property: Buying & Renting