Congratulations - you bought an apartment or house in Poland.
But after signing the notarial agreement (notarial deed) it's all just beginning.

The new owner is obliged to:

• submit documents to the tax office
• rewrite utility bills
• notify spolółdzielnię or wspólnotę
• rewrite gas and electricity
• sometimes you have to arrange for garbage and water

Let's take it step by step, what to do after buying real estate in Poland, to avoid fines and debts.

This article is relevant for apartments, houses and investments in Poland.

1. Property tax – submit to the office (mandatory)

After purchasing real estate, you must submit a declaration to the city or gmina office.
This is a tax: Podatek od nieruchomości.

❗ Important: if the apartment is spółdzielcza, you do NOT need to go to urząd

If you purchased:

spółdzielcze własnościowe prawo do lokalu
(cooperative apartment, not full ownership)

👉 property tax paid by spółdzielnia
👉 the owner does NOT submit a declaration to urząd
👉 You don't need to submit anything

This is a common mistake made by foreigners.

In this case:

• The tax is already included in the czynsz
• you don't receive a separate tax bill
• there is no need to go to urząd

When to go to urząd

If you purchased:

✔ pełna własność mieszkania (full ownership)
✔ house
✔ plot
✔ commercial premises

Then the new owner is obliged to file a declaration.

Where to go

IN:
Urząd Miasta or Urząd Gminy
at the location of the property.

For example:
if the apartment is in Poznań → Urząd Miasta Poznań.

What to serve

Form: IN-1 (for individuals)

Can:

• in uzhend
• online
• via ePUAP

Submission deadline

⏰ During 14 days after purchase (signing of a notarial deed).

If you do not submit:

• a fine may be imposed
• the tax will be assessed retroactively

2. Should I go to spółdzielnia or wspólnota?

Yes. Definitely.

After purchasing, you must notify the house administration.

Spółdzielnia mieszkaniowa

If the house is a cooperative.

Wspólnota mieszkaniowa

If it's an ordinary house.

Why go?

To:

✔ rewrote the owner
✔ They credited czynsz to you
✔ provided access to payments
✔ entered into the system
✔ recalculated

If you don’t go, the bills will go to the old owner.

What to take

• notarial deed
• passport/PESEL
• sometimes number księgi wieczystej

Sometimes you can send a scan by email.

3. Rewrite electricity (prąd)

Very important.

If you don't rewrite:

• the accounts will be in the name of the old owner
• debts are possible
• may be turned off

Where to apply

To the electricity supplier.

Popular:

• Enea
• Tauron
• PGE
• Energa

Depends on the region.

What is needed

• notarial deed
• meter readings on the day of transfer
• photo of the meter
• owner's details
• apartment transfer protocol

Signed:
umowa przepisania licznika

Can:

• online
• in biuro obsługi
• via e-mail

4. Rewrite the gas (if any)

If there is gas in the apartment or house.

Suppliers:

• PGNiG / Orlen
• local operators

Need to

• notarial deed
• meter readings
• rewriting agreement
• apartment transfer protocol

It is better to do this immediately after handing over the keys.

5. Water and heating

Sometimes automatically through wspólnota/spółdzielnia.
Sometimes you have to submit it yourself.

Check with the house administration.

Hand over:

• water meter readings
• sometimes warm

6. Garbage (wywóz śmieci)

In some cities you need to file a declaration.

For example:
Poznań, Wrocław, Warszawa — often required.

Served:
deklaracja śmieciowa

It is indicated:

• How many people live there?
• owner
• address

If you do not submit:
may charge the maximum tariff.

7. Internet and TV

Not necessarily, but:

• conclude a new contract
• or rewrite the old one

Providers:

• Orange
• UPC/Play
• Netia
• local

8. Property insurance (highly recommended)

After purchasing, it is better to immediately register:
ubezpieczenie mieszkania lub domu (property insurance).

Usually it costs:
100–400 zł per year (depending on area and coverage).

Insurance covers:

• flooding
• fire
• damage to neighbors
• thefts
• sometimes rental protection
• civil liability (CL)

For investors and landlords, it is practically mandatory.

❗ If you bought it apartment on credit

If the property is purchased with a mortgage,
The insurance will already be issued by the bank.

The bank requires mandatory property insurance for the entire loan term.

But it is important:

👉 Check the terms and conditions in the bank documents
👉 What exactly does the insurance cover?
👉 What is the insured amount?
👉 Is OC (responsibility to neighbors) included?
👉 Can I choose my own insurance company?

Sometimes bank insurance only covers the walls (mury),
without furniture and renovations inside.

In this case, many owners do
additional insurance for the contents of the apartment.

9. If the apartment is for rent

Need to:

✔ report to the tax office
✔ Select a tax form
✔ Register najem

But this is a separate big topic.

Checklist after purchasing real estate in Poland

Save it for yourself:

Necessarily

• file tax in urząd (14 days)
• go to spółdzielnia/wspólnota
• rewrite electricity
• rewrite gas
• serve garbage (if required)

Desirable

• insurance
• Internet
• check the meters
• change the locks

Common mistakes buyers make

❌ Forgot to file taxes
❌ didn’t rewrite prąd
❌ did not report wspólnocie
❌ They pay for the old owner
❌ Debts resurface after a year

After purchasing, there is always an administrative part.

Need help after purchasing real estate in Poland?

We help clients:

• post-transaction support
• rewrite the utility bill
• file taxes
• investments and rent
• purchasing a turnkey apartment

Write to us and we'll give you step-by-step advice on what to do in your specific situation.