Buy Property in Poland: Prices, Cities and Rules for Foreign Buyers

Apartments dominate with 6,510 listings, followed by houses (3,691), land (2,434) and commercial property (2,269).

• Apartments in Poland: the default choice for city investors and expats, including new developer schemes.
• Houses in Poland: common around the big cities and on the coast; non-EEA buyers need permission to buy these (see below).
• Land in Poland: building plots and agricultural land. Check zoning carefully, and note that agricultural land has its own restrictions.
• Commercial property in Poland: offices, retail units and mixed-use buildings.

If budget is the priority, start with cheap property in Poland or properties under €100,000.

Yes, with one important distinction.

• EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can buy on the same terms as Poles, with a few rules around agricultural and forest land.
• Non-EEA citizens can buy an apartment (a separate residential unit) without permission. Buying a house, a plot of land or shares in a company that owns real estate normally requires a permit from the Ministry of Interior and Administration. Permits are usually granted where the buyer has links to Poland, but the process takes time.

Laws change, so confirm the current position with a Polish lawyer before signing a reservation agreement.

1. Set your budget and get a PESEL or tax number. A Polish tax identification number (NIP) is useful for the purchase, rent and utilities.
2. Search and view. Check the land and mortgage register (księga wieczysta) number of any property you like.
3. Hire an independent lawyer. They review the register, check for mortgages or third-party rights, and verify the seller's title.
4. Sign a reservation or preliminary agreement. This is often a notarial preliminary agreement with a deposit, typically 5 to 10% of the price.
5. Obtain a permit if required. Non-EEA buyers of houses or land apply for the ministry permit before the final deed.
6. Sign the final deed before a notary. The notary collects the civil-law transactions tax and files the register entry.
7. Register ownership. The court updates the register; keep the notary's copies for utilities and insurance.

On new-build flats, check whether the developer uses an escrow account. Polish developer rules require buyer funds to be protected.

All figures are approximate and should be verified locally for your case.

Polish banks lend to foreigners who earn income in Poland or hold a residence card, usually up to 80% of the property value, with 20% down. Non-resident buyers without Polish income find it much harder and often rely on cash, equity from another property, or a loan from a bank in their home country. Zloty mortgage rates move with the National Bank of Poland, so test different scenarios in our mortgage calculator and read the full Poland financing guide.

Listings are quoted in zloty and US dollars, so currency moves matter. The euro values on this site are converted for comparison.

Buying a property in Poland does not by itself grant residency or a visa, and Poland has no golden visa. EU citizens can live in Poland freely. Non-EU buyers can stay up to 90 days in any 180 days as visitors from Schengen-visa-free countries, and need a separate work, business or family-based permit for a longer stay. A Polish lawyer or immigration adviser can map the options, and our Poland buying guide lists the key professionals to use.

Advantages

• Lower purchase prices than Western Europe, with cities that keep growing.
• Transparent land register and notarial system.
• Strong tenant demand from students, young professionals and relocating companies.
• Low annual property taxes.

Drawbacks

• Permit requirement for non-EEA buyers of houses and land.
• Mortgages are difficult without local income.
• Bureaucracy and Polish-language documents mean you need a translator and lawyer.
• Local-currency exposure.

Shortlist two or three cities, then browse listings and compare against local data in our Poland market analysis. If you want help with a purchase, contact our team or use the property valuation tool to sanity-check an asking price.