Poland Immigrant Info

Buying Property in Poland as a Foreigner

Can foreigners buy land or flats? When you need a permit, taxes, notaries, and the steps of a Polish property purchase.

Updated 2026-01-20 · 1 min read

Buying Property in Poland as a Foreigner
On this page
  1. Who needs a permit
  2. Steps
  3. Costs
  4. Mortgage
  5. After buying

Who needs a permit

  • Apartments (lokal samodzielny): no permit needed, any nationality.
  • Land and houses: non-EEA nationals generally need a permit from the Minister of the Interior unless they have lived in Poland legally for 5+ years, are married to a Polish citizen, or hold a settlement permit.
  • EEA nationals: fewer restrictions; agricultural/forest land has transition rules.

Steps

  1. Find a property (Otodom, OLX, agencies).
  2. Sign a preliminary contract (umowa przedwstępna) with a deposit.
  3. Notary drafts the final akt notarialny.
  4. Pay PCC tax and register in Księga Wieczysta (land register).

Costs

  • PCC 2% of price.
  • Notary fee (scaled by price).
  • Court registration fee (~200 PLN).
  • Real-estate agency fee (if used), typically 2–3%.

Mortgage

  • Polish banks lend to foreigners with legal stay and income in Poland.
  • You usually need 10–20% deposit.
  • Compare offers; rates vary.

After buying

  • Register utilities in your name.
  • Update your zameldowanie (address registration).
  • Pay annual property tax (podatek od nieruchomości) to the commune.

FAQ

Do I need a permit to buy an apartment?
No permit is needed for a separate apartment (lokal) in Poland, regardless of nationality. A permit is required for land and some houses, with exceptions for EEA residents.
What taxes apply?
PCC (civil-law transaction tax) of 2% on the purchase price, plus notary and court fees. VAT applies to new-builds from developers.

Sources

  1. gov.pl — Acquisition of real estate by foreigners (updated 2026-01-12)

This article is informational and not legal advice. Always confirm with the relevant authority.

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