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The Act on the Acquisition of Real Estate by Foreigners (Ustawa o nabywaniu nieruchomości przez cudzoziemców) was adopted on 24 March 1920 and continues to regulate property purchases in Poland more than a century later.

The law establishes rules for foreigners purchasing real estate in Poland, while also providing exemptions that allow property to be acquired without a special permit in certain circumstances.

Do foreigners need a permit to buy land in Poland?

If a foreigner plans to purchase a plot of land or acquire a share in the ownership of a land plot, a permit from the Polish Ministry of the Interior and Administration (MSWiA) may be required.

However, a permit is not always necessary. The law provides several exemptions, including for certain foreigners who have lived in Poland for an extended period or are married to a Polish citizen.

Additional restrictions apply to properties located in border areas and certain agricultural land plots.

What restrictions apply when buying land?

According to MSWiA regulations, the following land area limits apply when purchasing real estate to meet personal residential needs:

• 0.5 hectares — for an individual foreigner.
• 1 hectare — when the property is purchased by a married couple.

If the property is purchased for business or agricultural purposes, its size must be justified by the actual needs of the intended activity.

Important: these limits do not mean that land within the specified area can automatically be purchased without a permit.

How much does an MSWiA permit cost?

The government fee (opłata skarbowa) for issuing a permit to acquire real estate in Poland as a foreigner is PLN 1,570.

To obtain a permit, an application must be submitted to MSWiA along with documents confirming the applicant’s identity, details of the property, connections to Poland, and the purpose of the purchase.

An incomplete or incorrectly prepared application may result in additional requests for documents and longer processing times.

How can you obtain a permit to buy land in Poland?

Before completing a property transaction, it is important to determine whether a permit is required in your specific situation and to prepare all necessary documents correctly.

The specialists at Advisor Poland can help you:

• Check whether you qualify for any exemptions provided by Polish law.
• Determine whether an MSWiA permit is required.
• Prepare the application and all necessary supporting documents.
• Provide assistance throughout the permit application process.

Planning to buy land in Poland?

Contact Advisor Poland for a consultation. We will help you understand the legal requirements, review your documents, and prepare for purchasing real estate in Poland.

Get professional advice from Advisor Poland and take the first step towards a secure property purchase in Poland.