Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Poland Property Pack
Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Poland Property Pack
Poland remains one of the most accessible property markets in Central Europe for foreign buyers, though the rules differ significantly depending on whether you come from an EU country or elsewhere.
This guide covers everything you need to know about buying residential property in Poland as a foreigner in January 2026, from legal requirements to mortgages and taxes.
We constantly update this blog post to reflect the latest regulations and market conditions in Poland.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Poland.
Insights
- EU and EEA nationals can buy any residential property in Poland without a permit, including in border zones, which surprises many buyers who read outdated information online.
- Non-EU foreigners buying a house with land in Poland should expect permit processing times of 2 to 4 months, so building this into your timeline is essential.
- Poland's property tax for a typical 60-square-meter apartment runs between 100 and 600 PLN per year, making it one of the lowest recurring costs in Europe.
- Mortgage rates for foreigners in Poland in 2026 typically range from 6% to 8%, following the central bank's December 2025 rate cut to 4%.
- The 2% PCC transfer tax on resale properties is the single largest closing cost for buyers in Poland, often exceeding notary and registration fees combined.
- Private rental income in Poland is taxed at a flat 8.5% on revenue up to 100,000 PLN and 12.5% above that threshold, with no deductions allowed under this lump-sum regime.
- Buying property in Poland does not create any pathway to residency or citizenship, unlike golden visa programs found in Portugal or Greece.
- The Land and Mortgage Register (ksiega wieczysta) is publicly accessible online, allowing foreign buyers to verify ownership and liens before signing anything.
What can I legally buy and truly own as a foreigner in Poland?
What property types can foreigners legally buy in Poland right now?
Foreigners can legally buy apartments, houses, semi-detached homes, townhouses, and parking spaces in Poland, with apartments being by far the most straightforward option for most international buyers.
The main legal condition that affects foreign buyers in Poland is the permit requirement under the 1920 Act on Acquisition of Real Estate by Foreigners, though EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals are fully exempt from this requirement.
For non-EU buyers, purchasing an apartment in a multi-unit building is typically permit-free, but buying a house with land usually triggers the need to apply for a permit from the Ministry of Interior and Administration.
One Poland-specific detail that often confuses buyers is that when you purchase an apartment, you automatically acquire a share in the building's common property and underlying land, but this linked share does not create a separate permit obligation according to official ministry guidance.
Finally, please note that our pack about the property market in Poland is specifically tailored to foreigners.
Can I own land in my own name in Poland right now?
Yes, foreigners can own land in their own name in Poland, but whether you need a permit depends on your nationality and the type of land you are buying.
EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens can purchase any land in Poland without a permit, including agricultural land and properties in border zones, while non-EU nationals typically need ministry approval for land acquisitions.
For non-EU buyers, the permit process involves submitting an application to the Ministry of Interior and Administration, gathering opinions from multiple government bodies, and waiting 2 to 4 months for a decision.
As of 2026, what other key foreign-ownership rules or limits should I know in Poland?
As of January 2026, the most important rule to watch is the distinction between buying an apartment with its standard common-property share versus buying additional separate real estate parcels alongside it, since only the latter may require a permit for non-EU buyers.
Poland does not impose any foreign-ownership quota on apartments or condos, meaning there is no limit on how many units in a building can be owned by foreigners.
Non-EU buyers must register their property acquisition with the relevant authorities, and the notary handling your transaction will typically file the necessary land register applications on your behalf.
There have been no major regulatory changes to foreign ownership rules in Poland announced for 2026, though the permit framework continues to be administered strictly for non-EU land acquisitions.
If you're interested, we go much more into details about the foreign ownership rights in Poland here.
What's the biggest ownership mistake foreigners make in Poland right now?
The biggest mistake foreigners make when buying property in Poland is assuming that any apartment purchase is automatically simple, without checking whether the deal includes separately titled extras like access roads or storage units that could trigger permit requirements.
If you accidentally acquire a separate parcel of real estate without realizing it needs a permit, your purchase could be invalidated, you could face legal complications, or you might be forced to sell the problematic portion.
Other classic pitfalls in Poland include signing a preliminary agreement and paying a deposit before checking the Land and Mortgage Register for existing mortgages, easements, or ownership disputes, and underestimating the time needed for permit processing if you are a non-EU buyer targeting a house.
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Poland. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.
Which visa or residency status changes what I can do in Poland?
Do I need a specific visa to buy property in Poland right now?
You do not need a specific visa to buy property in Poland, and yes, you can legally purchase real estate while on a tourist visa, because the permission to buy is governed by the foreign acquisition permit system rather than your immigration status.
The most common administrative barrier for buyers without local residency is opening a Polish bank account, since some banks require a residence card or PESEL number before they will onboard foreign clients.
You do not strictly need a Polish tax ID (PESEL or NIP) before buying property in Poland, especially for cash purchases, but you will likely need one soon after if you plan to rent out the property, apply for a mortgage, or file taxes.
Foreign buyers in Poland typically need to present a valid passport, proof of funds, and if applicable, their residence card or PESEL number, while the notary will handle the official documentation during the signing.
Does buying property help me get residency and citizenship in Poland in 2026?
As of January 2026, buying property in Poland does not help you get residency or citizenship, because Poland has no golden visa or investor visa program tied to real estate purchases.
To obtain residency in Poland, you need to qualify through recognized channels such as employment, studies, family reunification, or business activity, and property ownership is not treated as a standalone basis for any residence permit.
Citizenship in Poland is typically acquired through long-term legal residence (usually 3 to 10 years depending on circumstances), Polish ancestry, or marriage to a Polish citizen, with property ownership having no direct bearing on the process.
Can I legally rent out property on my visa in Poland right now?
Your visa status does not affect your legal right to rent out property in Poland, because the ability to earn rental income is tied to property ownership and tax compliance rather than immigration category.
You do not need to live in Poland to rent out your property, and many foreign owners manage their rentals from abroad using local property management companies to handle tenants, maintenance, and paperwork.
The most important thing for foreign landlords in Poland is understanding the tax obligation: private rental income is commonly taxed at a flat 8.5% on revenue up to 100,000 PLN and 12.5% above that, and you will need to file annual tax returns or work with a local accountant.
We cover everything there is to know about buying and renting out in Poland here.
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Don't base significant investment decisions on outdated data. Get updated and accurate information with our guide.
How does the buying process actually work step-by-step in Poland?
What are the exact steps to buy property in Poland right now?
The standard sequence to buy property in Poland involves agreeing on price with the seller, checking the Land and Mortgage Register, signing a preliminary agreement with a deposit (usually 5% to 10%), arranging financing if needed, signing the final notarial deed, and registering the new ownership.
You generally need to be physically present for the notarial signing in Poland, though it is possible to act through a properly drafted power of attorney if you cannot attend in person.
The step that makes the deal legally binding in Poland is signing the final notarial deed (akt notarialny), because ownership transfer only becomes valid when executed in this specific legal form and subsequently registered.
The typical end-to-end timeline from accepted offer to final registration in Poland ranges from 4 to 12 weeks for straightforward apartment purchases, though deals involving permits for non-EU buyers or mortgage financing can take 3 to 5 months.
We have a document entirely dedicated to the whole buying process our pack about properties in Poland.
Is it mandatory to get a lawyer or a notary to buy a property in Poland right now?
A notary is effectively mandatory for any property purchase in Poland because the law requires the transfer of real estate to be executed as a notarial deed and registered in the Land and Mortgage Register.
The key difference between a notary and a lawyer in Poland is that the notary is a neutral public official who formalizes the transaction and ensures legal compliance, while a lawyer advocates specifically for your interests and can review contracts, negotiate terms, and flag risks before you sign.
One essential item to include in your lawyer's engagement scope is a thorough review of the Land and Mortgage Register to confirm ownership, check for mortgages or liens, and verify that no third-party claims exist against the property.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Poland versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
What checks should I run so I don't buy a problem property in Poland?
How do I verify title and ownership history in Poland right now?
The official registry you should use to verify title and ownership history in Poland is the Land and Mortgage Register (ksiega wieczysta), which is maintained by the courts and accessible online through the Ministry of Justice portal.
The key document you should request is the full extract from the Land and Mortgage Register (odpis z ksiegi wieczystej), which shows the current owner, legal basis of ownership, and any encumbrances or claims.
Buyers in Poland commonly review at least 10 to 20 years of ownership history to ensure there are no gaps, disputed inheritances, or irregular transfers that could create problems later.
One clear red flag that should stop or pause your purchase in Poland is discovering unresolved claims, pending court cases, or discrepancies between the registered owner and the person trying to sell you the property.
You will find here the list of classic mistakes people make when buying a property in Poland.
How do I confirm there are no liens in Poland right now?
The standard way to confirm there are no liens or encumbrances on a property in Poland is to check Section IV of the Land and Mortgage Register, which specifically records mortgages and other charges against the real estate.
The most common type of lien buyers should specifically ask about in Poland is an existing mortgage (hipoteka), since many resale properties still carry bank financing that must be cleared at or before closing.
The best written proof of lien status in Poland is a current extract from the Land and Mortgage Register obtained directly from the court or through the official online portal, which shows all registered encumbrances as of the date of issue.
How do I check zoning and permitted use in Poland right now?
The authority you should use to check zoning and permitted use in Poland is the local municipality (gmina), which maintains the spatial development plan or issues individual development decisions for areas without a plan.
The document that confirms zoning classification in Poland is either the local spatial development plan (miejscowy plan zagospodarowania przestrzennego, or MPZP) or, if no plan exists, a decision on development conditions (decyzja o warunkach zabudowy, or WZ).
A common zoning pitfall foreign buyers miss in Poland is purchasing a property intending to renovate or expand it, only to discover that the local plan or WZ decision does not permit the changes they had in mind.
Buying real estate in Poland can be risky
An increasing number of foreign investors are showing interest. However, 90% of them will make mistakes. Avoid the pitfalls with our comprehensive guide.
Can I get a mortgage as a foreigner in Poland, and on what terms?
Do banks lend to foreigners for homes in Poland in 2026?
As of January 2026, yes, Polish banks do lend to foreigners for home purchases, though approval is significantly easier if you have a residence card and stable income earned within Poland.
Foreign borrowers in Poland typically see loan-to-value ratios ranging from 50% to 80%, with the lower end of the range more common for non-residents or those with income from abroad.
The single most important eligibility factor for foreigners seeking a mortgage in Poland is having documented local income, since banks strongly prefer borrowers who earn and pay taxes in Poland.
You can also read our latest update about mortgage and interest rates in Poland.
Which banks are most foreigner-friendly in Poland in 2026?
As of January 2026, the banks most commonly cited as foreigner-friendly for mortgages in Poland include Santander Bank Polska, mBank, and PKO Bank Polski, all of which have experience handling foreign documentation and offer English-language support.
The feature that makes these banks more accessible for foreigners is their explicit acceptance of residence card holders with local income and their willingness to work with translated documents and international credit histories.
These banks generally require some form of local residency or work permit to lend, meaning pure non-residents buying from abroad face much stricter conditions, higher down payments, or outright rejection.
We actually have a specific document about how to get a mortgage as a foreigner in our pack covering real estate in Poland.
What mortgage rates are foreigners offered in Poland in 2026?
As of January 2026, foreigners in Poland can expect mortgage interest rates in the range of 6% to 8% APR, with most offers clustering around 6.5% to 7.5% depending on the loan structure, down payment, and borrower profile.
Variable-rate mortgages tied to Poland's WIBOR reference rate are more common and typically start lower, while fixed-rate options are less widely available and usually carry a premium of 0.5% to 1.5% above variable rates.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Poland compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
What will taxes, fees, and ongoing costs look like in Poland?
What are the total closing costs as a percent in Poland in 2026?
The typical total closing cost when buying property in Poland in 2026 runs between 3% and 7% of the purchase price for resale properties, and between 2% and 6% for new-build purchases from developers.
This range covers most standard transactions, though the exact percentage depends on whether you pay agency commission separately and whether you are financing with a mortgage.
The specific fee categories that make up closing costs in Poland include the 2% PCC transfer tax (on resale), notary fees, court registration fees, and if applicable, mortgage-related costs like valuation and mortgage entry fees.
The single largest contributor to closing costs in Poland is usually the 2% PCC (civil law transaction tax) on resale purchases, which alone accounts for roughly half of the total in many deals.
If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in Poland.
What annual property tax should I budget in Poland in 2026?
As of January 2026, a typical owner-occupied apartment in Poland should budget between 100 and 600 PLN per year (roughly 25 to 150 USD or 23 to 140 EUR) for annual property tax, with houses and larger properties falling at the higher end.
Poland's annual property tax is assessed based on the size of the property in square meters, with rates set by each municipality within national maximum ceilings published yearly by the Ministry of Finance.
How is rental income taxed for foreigners in Poland in 2026?
As of January 2026, the typical effective tax rate on rental income for foreigners in Poland is 8.5% on gross revenue up to 100,000 PLN per year, and 12.5% on any revenue above that threshold, under the standard lump-sum regime.
Foreign property owners in Poland must register for tax purposes, file an annual tax return reporting their rental income, and pay the lump-sum tax directly to the Polish tax authorities, regardless of whether they live in the country.
What insurance is common and how much in Poland in 2026?
As of January 2026, a typical annual home insurance premium in Poland ranges from 200 to 600 PLN (roughly 50 to 150 USD or 46 to 140 EUR) for apartments, and from 400 to 1,500 PLN (100 to 375 USD or 92 to 350 EUR) for houses.
The most common type of property insurance in Poland is a combined building and fixtures policy, which covers structural damage from fire, flood, and other hazards, with optional contents coverage available.
The biggest factor that drives insurance premiums higher or lower in Poland is the property's location and exposure to flood risk, followed by the construction type and the value of the coverage limits you choose.
Get the full checklist for your due diligence in Poland
Don't repeat the same mistakes others have made before you. Make sure everything is in order before signing your sales contract.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Poland, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can ... and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why it's authoritative | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| Polish ELI: 1920 Act on Foreign Acquisition | Official government portal for Polish legal texts and consolidated acts. | We used it to anchor the legal definition of "foreigner" and the permit structure. We cross-checked practical interpretations against ministry guidance. |
| MSWiA Ministry FAQ | The competent ministry explaining how foreign acquisition rules work in practice. | We used it for real-life details on border zones, land shares, and permit timelines. We treated it as primary operational guidance. |
| Monitor Polski: 2026 Tax Rate Ceilings | Official publication record for 2026 maximum local property tax rates. | We used it to provide upper bounds for annual property tax budgeting. We translated per-square-meter ceilings into practical ranges. |
| Ministry of Justice: Land Register Guide | Official government explainer for Poland's land and mortgage register system. | We used it to explain how buyers verify title, mortgages, and easements. We described what can be checked online without a login. |
| Official eKW Portal | The actual state system where you view a property's Land and Mortgage Register. | We used it to give concrete instructions for title checks. We also used it for lien and mortgage verification steps. |
| EU e-Justice Portal: Poland Land Registers | EU-level reference describing Poland's land register and its contents. | We used it to validate what the register records cover and how public access works. We cross-checked with Polish Ministry of Justice pages. |
| Ministry of Finance: PCC Tax Guide | Official tax administration explainer for property purchase taxes. | We used it to describe PCC handling at the notary and filing requirements. We used it to support our closing-cost calculations. |
| Ministry of Finance Eureka: Rental Tax Rates | Finance ministry guidance platform stating current rates and thresholds. | We used it to provide the 8.5% and 12.5% rates and the 100,000 PLN threshold. We triangulated with PwC to confirm stability. |
| PwC Tax Summaries: Poland | Top-tier tax firm with curated, regularly updated country references. | We used it to cross-check rental income treatment and non-resident considerations. We used it as secondary confirmation to official guidance. |
| Gov.pl: PESEL for Foreigners | Official government service guide for personal identification numbers. | We used it to explain the ID number path foreigners follow when living in Poland. We clarified what is needed before mortgages and tax filings. |
| Santander Bank Polska | Major Polish bank describing acceptance criteria for foreign nationals. | We used it as a conservative indicator of foreigner-friendly underwriting. We combined it with market-wide commentary to avoid overgeneralizing. |
| Reuters: NBP Rate Decision (Dec 2025) | Global wire service reporting dated central bank decisions and context. | We used it to anchor the interest rate environment for January 2026. We converted that into a practical mortgage rate estimate range. |
| Global Property Guide: Poland Mortgages | Cross-country property data publisher citing central bank series. | We used it to triangulate the direction and level of average mortgage costs. We used it as secondary support, not primary authority. |
| DLA Piper REALWORLD: Poland | Global law firm's country guide summarizing transactional requirements. | We used it to validate the notarial deed and land register entry process. We used it as a cross-check against official guidance. |
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Poland. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.