Poland Property Buying Guide for Non-Resident Buyers

Under the 1920 Act on acquisition of real estate by foreigners, a person from outside the EEA or Switzerland generally needs the consent of the Minister of Interior to buy real estate in Poland. There are important exceptions: a separate residential unit (apartment) is exempt, as is a purchase by a foreigner who has lived in Poland for at least five years on a permanent or EU long-term residence permit, and a few other cases. In practice, apartments are freely available, while a house with its plot, or land, usually needs consent. The permit is valid for two years and processing often takes a few months, though that is based on commercial guides rather than official data.

Proposals to widen government review of foreign purchases have been discussed; I could not verify their status, so ask a notary whether anything changed after this page was updated.

1. Check the Land and Mortgage Register (księga wieczysta). It lists the owner, mortgages, easements and the legal status of the property. You can read it online with the register number.
2. Preliminary agreement. A reservation or preliminary contract, with a deposit commonly 5 to 10 percent, may be written privately or in notarial form, which gives stronger enforcement.
3. Gather documents. Energy certificate, utility clearances, building manager's statement, and for a cooperative flat the cooperative's title.
4. Notarial deed. The sale must be signed in front of a notary, who also collects the tax and files the register change.
5. Pay the tax and the notary. Both are due at the signing.
6. Register. The court enters you as owner in the register; the notary submits the application.

Allow six to twelve weeks from deposit to completion, longer if a permit or a mortgage is involved.

Poland's buying costs are relatively modest. The big difference is between resale and new-build purchases.

• Perpetual usufruct. In many cities, land under blocks is owned by the municipality and used for 99 years or more. You pay an annual fee, and the right can be converted into ownership under rules that vary by city.
• Cooperative rights. Some apartments carry a cooperative ownership right rather than full title. These can usually be converted into ownership, but ask.
• Developer purchases. The Developer Guarantee Fund protects deposits in closed escrow arrangements; open escrow gives less protection. Ask which one applies.
• Building maintenance. Block managers keep a renovation fund; arrears may influence you as the new owner.
• Short lets. Some cities and buildings restrict them, so check the community rules before paying a premium.

Buying property in Poland does not grant residence. Non-EU nationals need a work, business, study or family permit, and EU citizens register their stay after three months. A five-year stay on a permit can open the door to permanent residence and the permit exemption for houses. Poland has no golden visa. Plan any move around employment or a business basis, and use the property as an asset.

Polish banks lend mainly in złoty to residents with local income. Non-residents may find it hard to obtain a loan, and foreign-currency lending is rare. Lenders require a valuation, a notarial deed and insurance. See the Poland financing guide and test costs with the mortgage calculator.

• Signing a private reservation that does not oblige the seller to proceed
• Ignoring a mortgage entered in section IV of the register
• Buying a house as a non-EEA citizen without checking the consent requirement
• Not asking for a tax clearance from the seller if the flat was inherited recently
• Believing agents' claims about "investment return" without data; look at commercial units and apartments with local rent numbers

To check price ranges before you begin, see the Poland country page and budget homes.