If you are a citizen from outside the European Economic Area and wish to purchase real estate in Poland, you must obtain a permit from the Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration. In some cases it is not necessary to obtain a permit. Read the article to the end and find out what a permit to buy real estate by foreigner looks like.
Conditions for issuing the permit
A permit is granted upon application. You will receive it if the Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration decides that your purchase of the property will not endanger the defence, state security or public order. Considerations of public health and social policy are also taken into account. If you are an entrepreneur and you are buying a property to run your business, justify that the purchase is related to the needs of your business. If you want to buy a real estate for living purposes, remember that the maximum area of the real estate you buy cannot be larger than 0.5 ha.
Permission to purchase real estate by foreigner – when permission is not required
You do not need to apply for a permit if you want to buy, among others
- a so-called independent living unit,
- premises intended for a garage,
- real estate – if more than 5 years have passed since you obtained a permanent residence permit or a resident’s residence permit. And during that time you lived continuously in Poland,
- real estate forming part of a community of property – if you have lived in Poland for more than 2 years and have a wife or husband holding Polish citizenship.
There are exceptions to this rule. If, in the cases mentioned above, the property is located in a border zone or the agricultural land exceeds 1 ha, you must obtain a permit.
Permit to purchase real estate by foreigner – how to apply?
You can submit the application in person or by mail to the Ministry of Interior and Administration in Warsaw. Remember to submit your application in good time before your residence card expires (if it confirms your ties with Poland). The Minister of National Defence may object to your application. If you want to acquire agricultural property, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development may object to your application. They have 14 days to do so. If they do not, the Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration can continue to consider your application. The permit you receive is valid for 2 years after you receive it.
