Required documents for foreigners buying property in Poland
Complete document checklist for a safe transaction
Documents
Documents
Documents for foreigners when buying in Poland: passport, PESEL, MSWiA permit and finances. Help preparing the package and timelines.
Documents for property purchase
Foreigners need a specific document package. The list depends on citizenship, property type and payment method.
Help with document preparation
I help prepare documents, check validity, arrange translations and notarization, and obtain MSWiA permission if needed.
Identity documents
Personal documents
You need documents confirming your identity and marital status.
Valid passport
A valid passport required at the notary. A notarized copy may be required.
PESEL number
PESEL simplifies the purchase process and opening a bank account. Obtain it at the local gmina office.
Marital status certificate
A document confirming your marital status. It must be translated into Polish and notarized if issued abroad.
Spouse consent
If you are married under joint property regime, a notarized spouse consent is required.
Residential address
Proof of residence in Poland (if any) or permanent address abroad.
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When permission is required
MSWiA permission (Ministry of Internal Affairs)
A foreigner from any country buys a flat without a permit. A house, plot or commercial unit needs an MSWiA permit for buyers outside the EEA and Switzerland.
When permission is required
No permit: a samodzielny lokal mieszkalny and a garage unit for your own home (art. 8 ust. 1 pkt 1 and 1a of the act on the acquisition of real estate by foreigners). Permit needed if you are outside the EEA and Switzerland: a house with land, a plot, an office or shop. The table by property type is on the MSWiA page.
Documents for permission
Passport and residence card (certified copies), proof of ties with Poland, KW and land register extracts, the seller's statement of intent to sell, and the source of funds. Foreign documents need a sworn translation. The full list and how to apply: MSWiA guide.
Timing and cost
Permit 1,570 PLN, promesa 98 PLN (gov.pl, 1 October 2026). The permit is valid for 2 years, a promesa for one. Under the administrative code a particularly complex case takes up to 2 months from the start, and document requests extend that. So we plan the application before the preliminary agreement.
Exceptions
EEA and Swiss citizens buy without a permit, and so do, for example, people who have lived in Poland for 5 years since permanent residence or EU resident status (art. 8 ust. 1 pkt 2). Karta Polaka or marriage on their own are not exemptions. All cases: exemptions explained.
Proof of funds
Financial documents
You must confirm the availability and legal origin of funds.
Proof of source of funds
Documents proving legal origin: income certificates, bank statements, sale contracts of other property, inheritance or gift documents.
Bank statements
Recent bank statements (Polish or foreign) confirming sufficient funds. Translate to Polish if needed.
Income certificates
Income documents for the last 3-6 months: employment contract, salary certificates, tax returns, business income documents.
Bank account number
Polish bank account number from which payment will be made. Open the account in advance.
If buying with a loan
Mortgage documents
If you plan a mortgage, additional documents are required by the bank.
Income certificates
Income documents for the last 3-6 months: employment contract (umowa o prace), salary certificates, B2B contracts, tax returns. Must be translated by a sworn translator.
Employment contract or B2B
Copy of employment contract or B2B contract confirming stable income. Banks require minimum employment duration (usually 3-6 months).
Bank statements
Statements for the last 3-6 months confirming regular income and financial discipline.
Credit history
Credit history from Polish credit bureau (BIK) or your home country. A good history increases approval chances.
Pre-approval
Pre-approval from a bank confirms your creditworthiness and helps negotiations with the seller.
Property verification
Documents for the purchased property
Before buying, check all property documents to ensure legal cleanliness.
Land and mortgage register excerpt (Ksiega wieczysta)
Current excerpt (no older than 30 days) confirming ownership, absence of encumbrances and mortgages.
Previous ownership contracts
Copies of previous sale contracts to confirm ownership history.
Certificate of no arrears
Certificate of no utility and tax debts (czynsz administracyjny, heating, water, electricity).
Technical passport
Technical passport (ksiega budynku) contains data about condition, area, layout and utilities.
Energy performance certificate
Energy certificate (swiadectwo charakterystyki energetycznej) is required for sale.
Floor plans
Floor plans (rzuty pomieszczen) confirm layout and area. Compare with the actual state during viewing.
Transaction formalities
Notarial documents and procedures
Buying property in Poland requires a notarial sale agreement and payment of relevant taxes and fees.
Sale agreement
The sale agreement is prepared and signed at the notary. The notary verifies documents and identities and ensures legal safety.
Property purchase tax
On a resale the notary takes 2% PCC on deed day and sends it to the tax office. You file no PCC-3. The 14 days remain only if there is no płatnik (art. 10 of the PCC Act).
Notary fees
The maximum notarial fee is a scale, not 0.5–1%. Up to 2 million PLN the scale is unchanged: 500,000 PLN means a maximum of 2,770 PLN net, 1,000,000 PLN means 4,770 PLN net. From 5 November 2026 the cap is 25,000 PLN (Dz.U. 2026 item 1370), plus 23% VAT. The notary quotes the figure before signing. The scale is on the taxes page.
Ownership registration
After signing, the notary files for the land-register entry. Timing depends on the court backlog — whether the entry is already in place you check on ekw.ms.gov.pl by KW number.
Sworn interpreter
If you do not speak Polish, a sworn interpreter is required for the notary.
Transaction formalities
Additional documents and procedures
Buying property in Poland requires a notarial sale agreement and payment of relevant taxes and fees.
Residence registration (Meldunek)
After purchase, register your address at the gmina office. The notarial deed or a lease plus ID is enough; a land-register excerpt is not mandatory. Deadlines and booking: meldunek in Poznan.
Utilities transfer
Transfer utility contracts (electricity, gas, water, internet) to your name with ownership documents.
Property insurance
It is recommended to insure the property against fire and other risks.
IN-1 to the city, not the tax office
In Poznań, file IN-1 (and ZIN-1) within 14 days of purchase with Wydział Podatków i Opłat, not with the tax office. The 2026 housing rate is 1.25 PLN per m² a year. There is no annual return due by 31 January.
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About Marina Buguk
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I work with a team of real estate lawyers and a notary. We guarantee legal safety.
Efficiency and speed
I work proactively and stay fully focused - this saves you time and delivers results without delays.
Professional support
I easily build rapport with both sellers and buyers. Negotiations are calm and effective.
Responsibility for results
I handle the entire process: from preparation to key handover. I lead the transaction to a safe and beneficial result.
Mobility and convenience
I organize viewings quickly at a time convenient for you. I can pick you up - no need to worry about routes or logistics.
What our clients say
Client reviews
We couldn't find an apartment on our own. Marina is our fairy rescuer! I have never seen such efficiency. She considered all our wishes, and the communication was always pleasant. The apartment is amazing and at a great price. FOR BUYING A HOME - ONLY WITH YOU!
Maria
Property buyer, Poznan
The issue was solved quickly! Marina found an apartment exactly to my requests and criteria - just what I needed. The deal was handled correctly. The best impressions from communicating with such a charming person. I will recommend!
Oksana
Property buyer, Poznan
A very pleasant, communicative specialist. She found us a good apartment with a little garden. In Poland it is very hard to find a suitable apartment now, but Marina handled this task 100%. We are very satisfied!
Maria
Property buyer, Poznan
From the first minute you can see - a professional! She is focused on the client finding the right apartment. She clarifies all details and immediately sends a full catalog to choose from. Helps with the contract, organizes the meeting and signing. I will recommend to everyone!
Alexey
Property buyer, Poznan
My son entered university, but there was no dorm. Thanks to Marina, we avoided a fake contract and found a great studio with IKEA furniture. Marina showed patience and integrity at every stage.
Elena
Tenant, Poznan
Everything was done quickly and on schedule. Marina is a professional and a very pleasant woman. I will definitely recommend!
Vlad
Tenant, Poznan
In a short time we found and moved into a three-room apartment in a great district, with all wishes considered. All processes were transparent, and we felt constant support. We will definitely recommend to friends and family!
Svetlana
Tenant, Poznan
It was my first time renting, but thanks to Marina I quickly found the housing I needed. Quality service and full dedication. This will not be our last cooperation!
Dmitry
Tenant, Poznan
By the third day after we started searching, we already knew which apartment we would live in! Marina is always in touch, answers all questions and gives useful advice. She considered all wishes about interior and location.
Dmitry
Tenant, Poznan
Within 5 days after the request I already got the keys, including the notary! Everything was very fast. You dive into all nuances, help with documents and provide good offers at affordable prices. I recommend to everyone!
Yaroslav
Property buyer, Poznan
Patience and attention to every question. Working with Marina, you can be sure you will find housing. A wide selection for every taste. I will recommend to friends and acquaintances!
Vlad
Tenant, Poznan
High professionalism and excellent service. Everything was clear and fast. She found an apartment in a great location with good conditions. I confidently recommend!
Oksana
Tenant, Poznan
We found exactly what we wanted! Thank you for going with us to all apartment viewings, for the tips and professional work. Sincere thanks!
Olga
Tenant, Poznan
Every step was under control, as fast and easy as possible. Now my student is happy. Thanks to you, my mother's heart is calm.
Anna
Tenant, Poznan
Marina is not just a realtor. She is someone who hears, understands and finds solutions where it seems like a dead end. In three months she found the perfect house: cozy, with a garden and a green light for the cat. Her work is sincere involvement.
Darina
Property buyer, Poznan
FAQ
Questions about buying property
- 1. Passport or other identity document.
- 2. PESEL number (if you have one).
- 3. Residential address (for the contract).
- 4. Spouse consent if the property is bought in marriage (wspolnota majatkowa).
- 5. Mortgage documents (if buying with a loan):
- income statements,
- employment contract/umowa o prace or B2B,
- bank statements,
- credit history.
- 6. Bank account number from which payment will be made.
Yes, a foreigner can buy property in Poland, but the rules depend on citizenship and property type.
Short and clear:
Short and clear:
- 1. EU citizens
Can buy freely - apartments, houses, land, commercial. No permit required. - 2. Non-EU citizens (including Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Asia, etc.)
- Can buy without a permit:
- apartment (lokal mieszkalny) - always;
- garage if purchased together with an apartment.
- A permit from the Ministry of Interior (zezwolenie MSWiA) is required if a foreigner wants to buy:
- a house (dom jednorodzinny),
- a land plot,
- agricultural land,
- commercial property.
- Can buy without a permit:
On the secondary market, PCC is 2% of the deed price. A developer apartment usually includes VAT and does not pay that 2% PCC. The first-home relief does not apply to every buyer. The breakdown is in purchase taxes.
Ownership does not pass in Poland without a notarial deed. The notary checks the land register, the parties and how the money moves. The fee is quoted before the signing and depends on the deed price. It is not the agent's percentage.
Yes, many Polish banks provide mortgages to foreigners who have a residence permit and stable income.
We recommend working with a mortgage specialist from our company who works with foreigners, knows all nuances, and is focused on helping our clients obtain a loan.
We recommend working with a mortgage specialist from our company who works with foreigners, knows all nuances, and is focused on helping our clients obtain a loan.
Księga wieczysta is the court register of who owns the property and what is attached to it. Before a deposit we open dział II (owner) and dział III (mortgages, easements, warnings). A listing printout does not replace it.
Typically from 2 weeks to 3 months: property search, document checks, mortgage process (if needed), and notary signing.
Umowa przedwstępna reserves the property and fixes the price, the deed date and the payment. If the text says zadatek, you usually do not get it back when you break the deal. Zaliczka is an advance toward the price and is returned. We read that line before any transfer.
Property insurance is not mandatory, but recommended. Mortgage insurance is required if you take a loan.
Renovation is improving the condition of the property. Usually the buyer pays after purchase, but it can be negotiated with the seller.
Documents
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