Can a foreigner buy property in Poland?
Yes. Citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland buy property in Poland on essentially the same terms as Polish citizens. Buyers from outside that group generally need a permit from the Ministry of the Interior and Administration - but that requirement normally does not apply to buying a standalone apartment, which is what most foreign buyers in Warsaw are actually purchasing.
The distinction that matters: apartment or land
Almost all of the confusion around this topic comes from one thing: the permit regime is built around acquiring land. An apartment is a separate legal unit inside a building, not a plot, so it sits in a different category. A house, by contrast, is sold together with the ground it stands on.
| What you are buying | EU / EEA / Swiss | Other nationalities |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment (separate residential unit) | No permit | Normally no permit |
| House with a plot of land | No permit | Permit usually required |
| Building plot | No permit | Permit usually required |
| Any property in the border zone | Treated more strictly, and the apartment exemption is not something to rely on there. This does not affect Warsaw or the municipalities around it, but it matters for coastal and border regions. | |
| Agricultural or forest land | Separate, stricter regime that restricts buyers regardless of nationality - Polish citizens included. Treat this as its own conversation with a lawyer. | |
Simplified overview of the general rules, not advice on your situation. There are further exemptions - for example tied to long-term residence in Poland or to marriage to a Polish citizen - and whether one applies to you depends on your status and on the specific property. Confirm with a lawyer or notary before you commit to anything.
What the purchase costs
On the secondary market the buyer pays a 2% transfer tax (PCC) calculated on the market value, collected by the notary on the day of signing. Buying new from a developer works differently: the price includes VAT and PCC does not apply. On top of that come the notary's fee (capped by regulation and negotiable downwards), VAT on that fee, and court fees for the land and mortgage register.
Our Polish-language guide has the detail on transfer tax and notary fees, if you want to read the specifics.
How the process runs
- Define the brief and budget. We check what your money realistically buys in the districts you are considering, using registered transaction prices rather than asking prices.
- Viewings - in person, or by video if you are not in Poland yet.
- Due diligence: land and mortgage register, the legal status of the property, and for a plot also road access and planning designation.
- Preliminary agreement, usually with a deposit that carries real consequences if either side walks away.
- Financing, if you are using a mortgage. Non-residents can borrow in Poland, though conditions are stricter and not every bank offers it.
- The notarial deed transfers ownership. It is executed in Polish; if you do not speak Polish, a sworn translator must be present. We arrange that.
What we do for you
We run this entire sequence in your language - English, German, Russian, Spanish or French - and stay with it through to the notary appointment rather than handing you off once an offer is accepted. We coordinate the lawyer and notary, and we tell you when something needs a specialist rather than improvising an answer.
Frequently asked questions
Do EU citizens need a permit to buy property in Poland?
Generally no. Citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland acquire property on essentially the same terms as Polish citizens. Agricultural and forest land is a separate regime that restricts buyers regardless of nationality, including Poles.
Do I need a permit to buy an apartment as a non-EU citizen?
Normally no. The acquisition of a standalone residential unit is generally exempt from the permit requirement, which is why most foreign buyers in Warsaw never deal with the ministry at all. Confirm your own case with a lawyer or notary before signing anything, as exemptions depend on the specific property and your status.
Why does buying a house need a permit when an apartment does not?
Because a house comes with the land underneath it, and the permit regime is built around acquiring land. An apartment is a separate legal unit within a building rather than a plot of land, which is what puts it in a different category.
How long does the permit take?
It is an administrative procedure with the Ministry of the Interior and Administration and it takes time - plan for months, not weeks, and treat any figure you read online as indicative. Your lawyer will give you a realistic timeline for your case.
What does buying cost on top of the price?
On the secondary market, budget 2% transfer tax (PCC) on the market value, plus the notary's fee, VAT on that fee, court fees for the land register entry, and copies of the deed. Buying new from a developer is subject to VAT included in the price instead of PCC. The notary gives you the exact figure before you sign.
This page is general information, not legal or tax advice, and it is not a substitute for a lawyer or notary reviewing your specific situation. Rules and rates change, and several of the exemptions described here depend on individual circumstances. Verify the current position with a qualified professional before making any commitment.
Ask us about your situation