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
In Poland, foreigners can buy residential property, but whether you need a permit depends on your nationality and whether the purchase includes land.
EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens enjoy nearly the same rights as Polish nationals, while non-EU buyers face extra steps when purchasing houses or land plots.
We constantly update this blog post to reflect the latest rules and market conditions for foreign buyers 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.
Do foreigners have the same rights as locals in Poland right now?
Can foreigners legally buy residential property in Poland in 2026?
As of early 2026, foreigners can legally buy residential property in Poland, though some nationalities need a permit from the Ministry of Interior and Administration (MSWiA) depending on the type of property and whether it includes land.
Foreigners from EU, EEA countries, and Switzerland can purchase apartments, houses, and most residential properties freely without any special permits, much like Polish citizens.
Non-EU citizens can freely buy apartments in multi-unit buildings (condominiums) without permits, but purchasing a standalone house with its own land plot typically requires ministry approval.
The permit process for non-EU buyers usually takes 2 to 4 months and involves submitting documents showing your ties to Poland and the purpose of the purchase.
We cover all these things in length in our pack about the property market in Poland.
Do foreigners have the exact same ownership rights as locals in Poland in 2026?
As of early 2026, foreigners who legally acquire property in Poland enjoy nearly identical ownership rights as Polish citizens, including full title registration, the ability to sell, mortgage, rent, and inherit the property.
The main difference is at the acquisition stage: some foreigners face an extra "gatekeeping" step through the MSWiA permit requirement, which Polish citizens never need to deal with.
Once you own the property, Polish law protects your ownership equally regardless of nationality, and your rights are publicly recorded in the Land and Mortgage Register (ksiega wieczysta) for anyone to verify.
Are there any foreigner-only restrictions in Poland in 2026?
As of early 2026, the primary foreigner-only restriction in Poland is the permit requirement under the Act of 24 March 1920, which applies mainly to non-EU nationals buying properties that include land.
The most impactful restriction is the need for MSWiA approval when purchasing a house with a garden, a standalone building, or any property with its own land plot, as this can add months to your timeline.
The official rationale behind these restrictions is national security, public order, and protection of strategic interests, with the ministry assessing whether each acquisition aligns with the State's interest.
The most common legal approach for non-EU foreigners is simply buying an apartment in a multi-unit building, which generally does not require a permit because it involves a share of common property rather than separate land ownership.
Can foreigners buy property freely anywhere in Poland, or only specific areas in 2026?
As of early 2026, foreigners can generally buy property throughout Poland, but the permit framework explicitly includes security reviews for purchases in sensitive locations like border areas or strategically important zones.
Border zones and areas deemed strategically sensitive may face stricter scrutiny during the permit process, with the Ministry of National Defence sometimes providing input on applications.
These geographic restrictions exist because Polish law aims to protect national defense interests and public order, particularly in regions close to international borders.
Foreign buyers most commonly and freely purchase property in major cities like Warsaw (districts such as Mokotow, Srodmiescie, Zoliborz, Wilanow), Krakow (Stare Miasto, Kazimierz, Podgorze), Wroclaw (Krzyki, Nadodrze), and Gdansk (Oliwa, Wrzeszcz), where apartment purchases rarely face complications.
Can foreigners own property 100% under their own name in Poland in 2026?
As of early 2026, foreigners can absolutely hold property 100% under their own name in Poland, with full ownership recorded in the public Land and Mortgage Register.
All property types, including apartments and houses (once any required permit is obtained), can be registered fully in a foreign buyer's name without needing a local partner or nominee.
To register property in your name, you will need a valid passport, a Polish tax identification number (PESEL or NIP), and the transaction must be completed through a notarial deed, which is then submitted to the local land register court.
Is freehold ownership possible for foreigners in Poland right now in 2026?
As of early 2026, freehold (full ownership) is possible for foreigners in Poland, provided your acquisition complies with the foreigners' property rules and you obtain any required permits.
Freehold ownership means you own both the building and the land outright with no time limit, while leasehold (or in Poland's case, perpetual usufruct) means you have a long-term right to use land that technically belongs to the State or municipality.
Some older properties, especially those on former state land, may involve perpetual usufruct rather than freehold, so foreign buyers should always check the land register to confirm whether they are buying full ownership or a time-limited right.
Can foreigners buy land in Poland in 2026?
As of early 2026, foreigners can buy land in Poland, but land purchases are where restrictions apply most strictly, especially for non-EU citizens and for agricultural or forest land.
EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens can purchase most types of land freely, including residential building plots, while non-EU citizens typically need an MSWiA permit for any land acquisition, and agricultural land faces additional restrictions regardless of nationality.
When direct land ownership is restricted, the most common legal structure foreigners use is purchasing an apartment (which includes only a share of common property) or, in some cases, establishing a Polish company, though company ownership can also trigger permit requirements if controlled by foreigners.
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.
Does my nationality or residency status change anything in Poland?
Does my nationality change what I can buy in Poland right now in 2026?
As of early 2026, your nationality is the single biggest factor determining whether you need a permit to buy property in Poland, with EU/EEA/Swiss citizens enjoying nearly unrestricted access while non-EU nationals face additional requirements.
No specific nationalities face outright bans on property purchases in Poland, but citizens from countries outside the EEA and Switzerland must go through the MSWiA permit process for houses and land.
EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens benefit from Poland's EU accession treaties, which effectively grant them the same property rights as Polish nationals for most residential and commercial purchases.
Do EU/US/UK citizens get easier property access in Poland?
EU citizens (plus those from Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland) enjoy the easiest property access in Poland, with virtually no restrictions on buying apartments, houses, or most types of land.
EU citizens specifically benefit from full freedom to purchase residential and commercial properties without permits, and they can buy agricultural land under the same conditions as Polish citizens after Poland's post-accession transition periods ended.
US and UK citizens (post-Brexit) are classified as non-EEA nationals, meaning they can buy apartments freely but need MSWiA permits for houses with land, so they should not assume "EU-like" treatment by default.
If you're American, we have a dedicated blog article about US citizens buying property in Poland.
Can I buy property in Poland without local residency?
Yes, foreigners can legally buy property in Poland without being a resident, as property ownership is not tied to residency status, though being a non-resident makes banking and paperwork more complicated.
Residents benefit from easier mortgage access and simpler documentation, while non-residents must provide additional proof of income, often face higher down payment requirements, and may need to arrange for powers of attorney if they cannot be present for all steps.
Tourist-visa holders or non-residents must still obtain a Polish tax identification number (PESEL or NIP), provide certified translations of foreign documents, and complete the transaction through a Polish notary, which can all be done without local residency.
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.
What are the biggest legal grey areas for foreigners in Poland?
What are the biggest legal grey zones for foreigners in Poland in 2026?
As of early 2026, the three biggest legal grey zones for foreign buyers in Poland are: confusion between freehold and perpetual usufruct ownership, discrepancies between what the seller promises and what the land register shows, and hidden permit requirements when a purchase "includes land."
The single most risky grey zone is buying a property that looks like "a nice house" but is actually classified as land acquisition, which triggers permit requirements that the buyer did not anticipate and can void the transaction.
The best precaution is to pull the Land and Mortgage Register (ksiega wieczysta) yourself before making any offer, verify exactly what type of title you are buying, and consult a lawyer early if the deal includes any separate land component.
We have built our property pack about Poland with the intention to clarify all these things.
Can foreigners safely buy property using a local nominee in Poland?
Nominee arrangements in Poland are legally risky and generally not recommended, because if the nominee is the legal owner on paper, you have no direct claim to the property and are exposed to their personal risks.
Using a local nominee who is not a spouse carries major dangers including the nominee's divorce, death, creditor claims, bankruptcy, or simply a change of heart, any of which could result in you losing your investment entirely.
Buying through a local Polish spouse offers more protection under matrimonial property rules, but this depends heavily on how the marriage contract is structured and does not eliminate all risks.
Buying through a locally registered Polish company is possible, but the foreigners' acquisition rules can extend to companies controlled by foreigners, so a Polish company is not automatically a permit bypass and should be structured with legal advice.
What happens if a foreigner dies owning property in Poland?
When a foreigner dies owning property in Poland, the inheritance process is governed by whichever law applies under cross-border succession rules, often the EU Succession Regulation (650/2012) for EU-connected cases, which determines which country's law applies and how documents are recognized.
Foreign heirs must obtain formal inheritance documentation (such as a European Certificate of Succession or a court/notary confirmation) and then submit it to the Polish land register court to have ownership transferred into their names.
Once properly registered as owners, foreign heirs can resell the property like any other owner, though they may face the same permit requirements as other foreigners if they want to keep land they inherited.
The most common complication is delays caused by heirs living abroad, documents needing legalization or apostille, and translations into Polish, so having a clear will and appointing a Polish representative can significantly speed things up.
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.
Can foreigners realistically get a mortgage in Poland in 2026?
Do banks give mortgages to foreigners in Poland in 2026?
As of early 2026, Polish banks do offer mortgages to foreigners, but approval is strongly case-by-case, with typical loan amounts ranging from 200,000 PLN to 1,500,000 PLN (roughly 50,000 to 375,000 EUR or 55,000 to 420,000 USD) depending on the borrower's profile and property value.
Banks typically require foreign mortgage applicants to have provable and stable income (preferably with Polish tax history), a valid residence permit or EU registration, a PESEL number, clean source-of-funds documentation, and a property with clear title in the land register.
You can also read our latest update about mortgage and interest rates in Poland.
Are mortgage approvals harder for non-residents in Poland in 2026?
As of early 2026, mortgage approval is meaningfully harder for non-residents compared to residents, with some banks declining non-resident applications outright while others require significantly more documentation and offer less favorable terms.
Non-residents typically face loan-to-value ratios of 60% to 70% (meaning a 30% to 40% down payment of perhaps 100,000 to 200,000 PLN, or 25,000 to 50,000 EUR, or 28,000 to 56,000 USD on a mid-range apartment), compared to 80% to 90% LTV for residents with stable Polish income.
Non-residents must usually provide income verification from their home country with certified translations, extended bank statements (often 12 months versus 6 for residents), and may need to open a Polish bank account and arrange a local representative for communication.
We have a whole document dedicated to mortgages for foreigners in our Poland real estate pack.
Get fresh and reliable information about the market in Poland
Don't base significant investment decisions on outdated data. Get updated and accurate information with our guide.
Are foreigners protected by the law in Poland during disputes?
Are foreigners legally protected like locals in Poland right now?
Foreigners in Poland receive the same formal legal protections as Polish citizens in property matters, with the Polish Constitution guaranteeing equality before the law and equal treatment by public authorities.
Both foreigners and locals share equal rights to sue in Polish courts, register ownership in the land register, enforce contracts, and seek damages for fraud or breach of contract.
The main practical gap foreigners face is not legal discrimination but real-world friction: court proceedings and notarial documents are in Polish, cases can take years, and proving your case depends heavily on having proper paperwork.
The most important legal safeguard a foreigner should put in place is ensuring the transaction is completed through a proper notarial deed with all rights clearly recorded in the Land and Mortgage Register, because Poland's system rewards formality with strong protection.
Do courts treat foreigners fairly in property disputes in Poland right now?
Polish courts treat foreigners with formal impartiality in property disputes, applying the same civil code and procedural rules regardless of the parties' nationalities.
A typical property dispute in Polish courts can take 1 to 3 years to resolve and cost between 15,000 and 80,000 PLN (roughly 3,700 to 20,000 EUR or 4,200 to 22,000 USD) in legal fees, court costs, and expert opinions, depending on complexity.
The most common property disputes foreigners bring to court involve seller misrepresentation, undisclosed defects, boundary disputes, or problems with property management in apartment buildings.
Foreigners can also use alternative dispute resolution such as mediation (increasingly encouraged by Polish courts) or arbitration if the contract includes an arbitration clause, which can be faster and more flexible than traditional litigation.
We cover all these things in our list of risks and pitfalls people face when buying property in Poland.
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 do foreigners say after buying in Poland in 2026?
Do foreigners feel treated differently during buying in Poland right now?
Based on market surveys and buyer feedback, roughly 30% to 40% of foreign buyers in Poland report feeling treated somewhat differently during the purchase process, mainly due to language barriers and extra documentation requirements.
The most commonly reported way foreigners feel treated differently is receiving less English-language support from notaries, banks, and local officials, which can make the process feel more bureaucratic and slower than expected.
On the positive side, many foreigners report that the formality of Poland's system (mandatory notarial deeds, public land register, clear procedures) actually gives them more confidence and protection than they expected, especially compared to countries with less transparent systems.
Find more real-life feedbacks in our our pack covering the property buying process in Poland.
Do foreigners overpay compared to locals in Poland in 2026?
As of early 2026, foreign amateur buyers in Poland are at risk of overpaying by roughly 2% to 7% compared to locals, which on a 700,000 PLN apartment (about 175,000 EUR or 195,000 USD) could mean paying 14,000 to 49,000 PLN (3,500 to 12,000 EUR or 3,900 to 14,000 USD) more than necessary.
The main reason foreigners pay more in Poland is information asymmetry: locals can quickly benchmark prices across Polish-language portals like Otodom and negotiate confidently, while foreigners often rely on English-language marketing, international agents, or curated listings that hide what similar properties actually sell for.
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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 |
|---|---|---|
| Poland Ministry of Interior (MSWiA) | Official government body responsible for foreigner property permits. | We used it to anchor which laws govern foreign ownership in Poland. We cross-checked details against the law's official text and practical MSWiA guidance. |
| National Bank of Poland (NBP) | Poland's central bank publishing systematic housing market data. | We used it to frame the housing market context around early 2026. We relied on their transaction data to avoid agent hearsay when discussing prices. |
| European e-Justice Portal | EU portal summarizing how Poland's land register works. | We used it to explain what the register contains in plain language. We treated it as an independent cross-check to Polish government sources. |
| Ministry of Justice (Poland) | Official portal for land and mortgage register access. | We used it to explain how buyers verify ownership and mortgages before buying. We treat this as the buyer's main due diligence tool in Poland. |
| Constitutional Tribunal of Poland | Official institution publishing the constitutional text in English. | We used it to ground the principle of equal treatment for foreigners in disputes. We treat it as the top-level legal backdrop for property rights. |
| ISAP (Polish Legal Database) | Official database for acts published in Poland's Journal of Laws. | We used it as the source of truth that the key 1920 Act exists. We triangulated its meaning using MSWiA guidance and legal commentary. |
| EUR-Lex (EU Succession Regulation) | Official EU law text governing cross-border inheritance. | We used it to explain what happens when a foreign owner dies. We kept it practical by focusing on which law applies and paperwork requirements. |
| Norton Rose Fulbright | Top-tier international law firm explaining Polish property concepts. | We used it to explain perpetual usufruct in plain terms. We cross-checked it against land register explanations to ensure accuracy. |
| Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF) | Regulator supervising Poland's financial market and banking. | We used it to explain why mortgage lending is strict for foreigners. We translated their standards into what banks typically ask of foreign applicants. |
| Global Property Guide | Independent research platform tracking housing markets globally. | We used it to cross-check NBP price data and rental yield estimates. We referenced their Q3 2025 analysis for recent market trends. |
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.