Buying property in Poland as a foreigner: Complete UK guide (2026)

Planning a move to Poland from the UK? Perhaps you’re relocating for work or business, to study or be closer to family. You may simply be looking to spend some time in the country, and are looking for a holiday home.

Whatever your plans, we’re here to help - with a practical guide to buying property in Poland for foreigners. This includes info on the buying process, mortgages, taxes and fees, the latest Polish property prices and much more.

After reading this, you’ll know what to expect and be ready to start your property search.

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Can UK foreigners buy property in Poland?

Yes, foreigners can buy property in Poland, but the process and requirements vary for UK citizens compared to buyers from the EU/EEA.

EU/EEA citizens can buy property just like a local, which includes both residential and commercial real estate. The process should be pretty straightforward.

But for non-EEA/EU countries like the UK (since Brexit), it’s more complicated. It’s likely that you’ll need to apply for a permit from the Polish government’s Ministry of Interior.¹

If it’s residential property you’re buying, you should find the process relatively hassle-free. You’ll need to check, but you shouldn’t need a permit if you’re buying an apartment.

But you might find it more complex if you’re buying commercial property or land (especially agricultural land). On average, getting a permit for a property with land can take between 2-4 months,¹ so you’ll need to apply early or risk holding up your property purchase.

Can you buy real estate and get residency?

There’s no direct route to permanent residency through investment in property in Poland.

So if you’re looking to move to Poland permanently, you’ll need to pursue another visa pathway. For example - employment, starting a business, studying or having family ties in Poland.

What’s the real estate market like in Poland?

The Poland property market is in a period of rebalancing at the moment, with price growth stabilising after rapid increases in 2023 and 2024.

As of Q3 2025, average prices across the country rose just 0.11% compared to the year before. However, prices in the largest urban markets (such as Warsaw, Gdańsk, Gdynia, Kraków, Łódź, Poznań, and Wrocław) fell by 0.91% in the same period.²

Analysts are predicting a moderate upward trend for prices, as supply is constrained while demand is consistent.

If you’re looking to buy a property to rent out, it’s useful to know that the average rental yield for apartments was 6.17% in September 2025. The highest yields were found in Warsaw (7.07%).²

Is property a good investment in Poland?

Poland is generally considered to be a good place to buy property abroad, but there are still some pros and cons to consider.

Pros:

• Affordability - while prices have grown recently, Poland property prices tend to be much cheaper than in many Western European countries
• Capital appreciation - prices have stabilised, but analysts still predict a moderate upward trend in the near future²
• Good rental potential - healthy rental yields in major cities, along with consistent demand from a growing professional workforce
• The cost of living in Poland is around 30% lower than the UK, so your money goes further.³

Cons:

• Restrictions - as non-EU nationals, UK buyers do need to take the extra step of applying for a permit to buy property with the land
• No option to gain residency through property purchase
• Bureaucracy and language barriers - navigating Polish legal regulations and administrative processes can be difficult for non-Polish speakers
• Mortgage conditions may be stricter and harder to meet for foreign applicants, and you may need a larger deposit.

How much are the property prices?

So, how much is property in Poland? This is an essential thing to know as you set your budget and start your search.

Generally speaking, Polish property prices are between 33% and 39% lower than in the UK,³ depending on whether you buy inside or outside of a city centre. It’s also much cheaper than many other Western European countries.

The average house price is around 720,000 PLN.⁴

If you're wondering where to buy a house in Poland, here are the average property prices per square metre in a few of the country’s major cities:⁵

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Where is the cheapest place to buy property in Poland?

Of the major cities in Poland, Szczecin, Lodz and Katowice tend to be the cheapest for property prices.

But for the lowest prices, you may want to look at smaller towns as well as rural areas of eastern Poland, such as Podkarpackie and Lubelskie.

Best places to buy property in Poland

The best place to buy property in Poland all depends on why you’re buying.

If you’re looking to live and work there, major cities like a Warsaw and Krakow

Will offer all you could want in terms of lifestyle, job opportunities, amenities and connections to the rest of Europe and the UK.

You’ll also find the highest rental yields in these cities, although the Tri-City (Gdańsk, Gdynia, Sopot) area is also considered an up-and-coming one for buy-to-let investors.

If you’re looking for a holiday home or a holiday let, you might want to consider the Tatra Mountains (for skiing and hiking) or Baltic coastal towns such as Sopot, Gdańsk and Świnoujście.

Wanting to retire abroad? Poznań is popular due to its green spaces, walkable centre and lower cost of living. But you’ll also find expat communities in most of the country’s major cities.

How to search for a property in Poland

If you’re new to the Polish property market, it could be worth using a specialist real estate agent to help you find the right property.

They’ll have knowledge of the local market, as well as the rules and restrictions for foreign buyers. This service is likely to come with a fee, however.

You can also start the search online yourself, using one of these Polish property websites and portals:

• Otodom.pl
• Nieruchomosci-online.pl
• Adresowo.pl
• Morizon.pl
• Domiporta.pl

What to check before you buy

Before buying a property in Poland, it’s important to check the following:

• The legal status of a property. You (or your solicitor) will need to check the Land and Mortgage Register (Księga Wieczysta). This gives details of the legal status of the property, which is essential for avoiding complicated legal issues or disputes later on.
• Whether you need a permit as a non-EU citizen. This is unlikely for apartments, but you will usually need a permit to buy property with land (or if you’re buying a plot of land to build on). Permits can take some time to come through, so get your application in as early as possible.
• Whether there are any building restrictions on land. Known as Decyzja o warunkach zabudowy or Decision on Building Conditions, this document sets out how a plot of land can be developed and any specific restrictions which apply. This could mean you can’t build what you had planned when you bought the land.

How to buy property in Poland as a foreigner - a step-by-step guide

Now, let’s run through the steps involved in buying property in Poland as a foreigner:

1. Get your finances in order

Before you do anything, it’s a good idea to get your finances sorted. This means setting a budget, getting a mortgage offer (approval in principle) and getting all your paperwork together.

You’ll also need to open a Polish bank account, to facilitate easier payments later on.

2. Find a property and arrange viewings

Now it’s time to start searching for your dream home. You can use online property portals and/or local estate agents to find properties.

If you’ve found somewhere you like, arrange a viewing as soon as you can, and start researching the area in the meantime.

3. Make an offer

Once you’ve found your dream home, you’ll need to make a competitive offer or bid to the real estate agent or directly to the seller. You can negotiate, just like in other countries.

You might be asked for evidence of how you’ll finance the purchase at this stage, such as your mortgage agreement or a letter from your bank or lender.

4. Appoint a solicitor

While it’s not mandatory, it’s a good idea to find and appoint a property lawyer. They will help to prepare the Purchase Agreement (Umowa Sprzedaży), as well as checking over and translating all other documents and contracts.

They’ll also carry out due diligence throughout the transaction, including the all-important step of checking the legal status of the property in the Land and Mortgage Register.

To find a solicitor, start with this list of English-speaking property solicitors on the UK Government website.

5. Sign the preliminary agreement and pay the deposit

If your offer is accepted, the next step is for both parties to sign the preliminary contract.

You’ll also arrange a transfer for the deposit, which is usually around 5% to 10% of the purchase price.¹

Consider using the Wise account here to convert your pounds to Polish zloty, avoiding hidden fees and getting the mid-market exchange rate.

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At this stage, you might want to contact your mortgage provider to finalise the financing for your purchase.

6. Apply for your permit (if needed)

If you need to apply for a permit to buy property in Poland as a foreign citizen, now is the time to submit the application to the Ministry of Interior.

7. Sign the Purchase Agreement

A completion date will be set for the signing of the Purchase Agreement in the presence of a notary public, along with the transfer of the remaining balance. You’ll get the keys to your new home and your lawyer will register the sale with the land registry.

At this stage, you’ll need to transfer funds to pay the final balance and pay all taxes and fees.

Consider using the Wise account here to convert your pounds to Polish zloty, avoiding hidden fees and getting the mid-market exchange rate.

How long does it take to buy a property?

Buying property in Poland typically takes:¹

• 1 to 3 months for straightforward apartment sales, where no permit is needed
• 3 to 5 months for more complicated transactions and those where a permit is needed (such as buying property with land).

Fees and costs of buying property in Poland

Here are the main fees and taxes for buying property in Poland, which you’ll need to factor into your budget:⁶

You may also need to budget for:

• Interpreter or translator services (if needed)
• Mortgage origination/arrangement fees
• Building survey fees.

Taxes and fees for owning property

Once you’ve bought your Polish property and paid all those initial costs, you’ll also have some ongoing fees and taxes to cover as a property owner.

The main one is an annual property tax, which for 2026 is capped at 1.25 PLN per usable square metre.⁶

The exact rate varies by municipality, but you can expect to pay around 50 to 150 PLN a year for a typical apartment and around 200 to 500 PLN per year for a house with land.⁶

If you own an apartment, you may also pay HOA or cooperative fees (czynsz) for building maintenance and common areas. And if you rent out the property, you may be liable for personal income tax as a landlord.

Loans and mortgages for non-residents

Polish banks and providers do offer mortgage loans to foreigners, but the conditions, requirements and rates may differ compared to how it works for locals.

You’re likely to be asked for a valid residence permit as part of your application.¹ So, this could make it impossible to get a Polish mortgage if you’re living in the UK or another country.

Foreign buyers and non-residents also tend to face stricter lending criteria, and you may only be able to borrow between 50% to 80% of the total property value.¹ This means you’ll need a larger deposit.

For your best chance of getting a mortgage in Poland, try foreigner-friendly banks such as PKO Bank Polski, mBank and Santander Bank Polska.¹

Risks and pitfalls of buying property in Poland

One of the main things to watch out for when buying or selling property in Poland - or anywhere else in the world - are scams.

To avoid these, it’s strongly recommended to work with qualified and credible professionals such as real estate agents and solicitors.

Ideally, you should also check for membership of a professional body when working with any property experts, brokers or agents.

Other important things to remember include the following:

• Be cautious and do your homework before sending money or a deposit - beware of any requests for ‘advance’ payments, as this is a common scam in Poland
• Hire a solicitor and do as much due diligence as possible - including ensuring that the seller has the legal right to sell the property. The most crucial check is to look up the property in the Land and Mortgage Register (Księga Wieczysta)
• Visit the property in person (don’t rely on online listings alone)
• Get your own building inspection/survey carried out if you have any concerns about the property.

Moving into your Poland property

Before you can get the keys to your new home, you’ll have a final few tasks to check off your list.

Insurance

It’s strongly recommended to take out a buildings insurance policy starting from your completion date. In fact, you might find it's a mandatory condition of your mortgage offer.

Setting up utilities

If you know when your completion date will be, it makes sense to get some essentials set up in advance of moving in.

A prime example is utilities, such as heating, power and water. Get these sorted as early as you can, and the moving process should be a little smoother.

Energy efficiency renovations

If you’ve bought an older Polish property, you might want to make some energy efficiency improvements to it. For example, upgrading the insulation, replacing the windows or installing an efficient modern heating system.

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Key takeaways

• While EU citizens buy property freely, UK nationals typically need a permit from the Ministry of Interior to purchase houses or land, a process that can take 2–4 months.
• UK buyers generally do not need a government permit when purchasing individual apartments (residential units), making them the most accessible property type for non-EU residents.
• Following rapid growth in previous years, the Polish market is rebalancing; as of late 2025, urban prices saw minor declines, with the average house price currently around 720,000 PLN.
• Poland remains an attractive investment destination, offering healthy average rental yields of 6.17%, with Warsaw leading major cities at over 7%.
• Buyers should factor in a 2% property transfer tax (PCC) on resale properties and annual property taxes, which are capped at 1.25 PLN per square metre for 2026.

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Sources used:

1. Investropa - Buying and owning a property as a foreigner in Poland (2026)
2. Global Property Guide - Poland's Residential Property Market Analysis 2025
3. Numbeo - Cost of Living Comparison Between United Kingdom and Poland
4. Investropa - How much do houses cost now in Poland? (2026)
5. Numbeo - Prices by City
6. Investropa - The full list of property taxes, costs and fees in Poland (2026)

Sources last checked 17-Feb-2026