Can I buy property in Poland?
Three questions, and you will know whether you need a permit from the Ministry of the Interior - and what the next step actually is. No email required.
The short version, which surprises most people: buying an apartment almost never needs a permit, no matter where you are from. It is land that is restricted.
Citizenship
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Frequently asked
Can a foreigner buy an apartment in Poland?
Yes. Buying an apartment that is a separate unit in law - one with its own land and mortgage register - does not require a permit, whatever passport you hold and however long you have lived in Poland. Most apartments on the Warsaw market are exactly this.
Do EU citizens need a permit to buy property in Poland?
No. Citizens of the EU, the EEA (including Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) and Switzerland buy on the same terms as Polish citizens. Agricultural and forest land is restricted separately, but those rules apply to Polish buyers too.
When is a Ministry of the Interior permit needed?
In general when a buyer from outside the EEA and Switzerland acquires a house or the land under it, rather than a separate apartment unit. Long residence in Poland or marriage to a Polish citizen can exempt you, and agricultural land is a stricter case again.
What happens if I buy without a required permit?
The contract is void. That is why the application is prepared in advance, alongside a preliminary contract conditional on the permit, rather than after signing.
This page explains the general rules under the Act of 24 March 1920 on the acquisition of real estate by foreigners. It is not legal advice, and it cannot account for everything in your situation - border zones, buying through a company, inheritance and joint marital property all have their own rules. Confirm your case before you sign anything. We are happy to go through it with you and to point you to a lawyer where one is needed.