How to Buy an Apartment in Poland: A Step-by-Step Guide for Buyers

Buying an apartment in Poland — it's a clear and transparent process if you know all the steps in advance. In this article, you'll find detailed step-by-step instructions, you will learn about real expenses, documents, typical mistakes and important nuances, especially if you foreigner.

This article will be useful for those who are buying a home. for living, investment or rental.

Step 1. Who can buy an apartment in Poland?

Citizens of Poland and the EU

Citizens of Poland and EU countries can freely purchase apartments and houses without additional permits.

Foreigners (non-EU)

Foreigners can buy apartments in Poland, but there are important exceptions.

❗ Permission is required, If:

• the property is located in border zone (pas graniczny);
• is bought house with a plot of land;
• is bought land plot;
• 📌 border zone — this is the territory up to ~15 km from the border (Germany, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Lithuania).

Permission is issued Ministry of Internal Affairs of Poland, the review period is from 3 to 12 months (sometimes longer)

Read more about the resolution in this article.

👉 Apartments (mieszkania) in most cities DO NOT require permission, if the transaction does not include land.

Step 2: Determine the purchase budget

It is important to take into account not only the price of the apartment, but also additional expenses.

Main expenses of the buyer:

• price of the apartment
• PCC tax 2% (secondary market only)
• notary services
• entry in księga wieczysta
• agency commission (if any)

💡 New building Usually not subject to PCC, as the tax is included in the price (VAT).

Step 3. Primary or secondary market - what to choose

New building (rynek pierwotny)

Pros:

• new apartment
• no PCC tax
• modern standards

Cons:

• waiting for change
• often without finishing

Secondary market (rynek wtórny)

Pros:

• You can move in right away
• developed infrastructure

Cons:

• tax 2%
• hidden defects are possible

Step 4. Checking the apartment and documents

Before signing any contracts, you must check:

• księga wieczysta (real estate registry):
  • who is the owner
  • are there any encumbrances?
  • mortgage
• absence of debts on czynsz
• compliance of footage and layout

⚠️ This is one of the most important stages where buyers make mistakes.

Step 5. Umowa przedwstępna – preliminary agreement

The preliminary agreement sets out the terms of the transaction:

• price
• deadlines
• amount of the deposit
• obligations of the parties

Deposit (zadatek) or advance payment (zaliczka)?

• Zadatek - If the buyer refuses, the money is lost
• Zaliczka — is coming back

📌 90% transactions are used zadatek (5–10%).

Step 6. Notary and the main contract (akt notarialny)

Buying an apartment in Poland always takes place at a notary's office.

Notary:

• checks documents
• reads out the contract
• registers a new owner

After signing:

• the apartment is officially yours
• the data is submitted to the court for updating księga wieczysta

Step 7. Transfer of the apartment

Compiled transmission protocol (protokół zdawczo-odbiorczy), where the following are indicated:

• meter readings
• condition of the apartment
• transferred keys

From this moment on, the buyer pays for utilities.

Step 9. Common mistakes buyers make

❌ Purchase without verification księga wieczysta
❌ incorrect type of deposit
❌ ignoring the border zone
❌ Lack of translation of the contract for foreigners
❌ an attempt to "save" on specialists

Step 10. Do you need a realtor when buying an apartment?

Good agent:

• checks documents
• is negotiating
• protects the interests of the buyer
• often saves more than its commission costs

Especially important when purchasing:

• foreigners
• for investment purposes
• in border regions

Need help buying an apartment in Poland?

If you don't want to figure out all the nuances yourself, risk money and waste time - It's better to go through the purchasing process with professional support.

I help customers in Poland:

✔ find an apartment that suits your needs (for living or investment)
✔ check documents and księga wieczysta
✔ Assess risks, including border zones and permits for foreigners
✔ Complete the transaction safely with a notary
✔ Avoid overpayments and typical buyer mistakes

Working in the interests of the buyer, I explain all the steps in simple language and support the transaction from the first viewing to receiving the keys.

📩 Contact me, If you are planning to buy an apartment in Poland or would like to receive advice before starting the process.
Even one correct tip at the start can save you thousands of zlotys.