Buying a flat in Poland in 2026: prices, taxes, residency
Flats are sold to foreigners without permits whatever their citizenship, and a square metre in Warsaw costs about $4,300 in real deals. Buying gives no residence.
In short
- A foreigner buys a flat without a permit; a ministry permit is needed only for a house with land.
- In Warsaw a square metre costs about $4,300 in real deals.
- On resale homes the tax is 2%; in new builds 8% VAT is already in the price.
- Rent is taxed at 8.5%, and a sale after 5 years is tax-free.
- There is no residence for buying, and Russian citizens face visa restrictions.
In detail
A foreigner buys a flat in Poland with no permit, regardless of citizenship or residence status. A permit from the Interior Ministry is needed only for a house with land. Buying gives no residence, and a square metre in Warsaw costs about $4,300 in real deals. How we select and check properties is explained on the page property in Poland.
How much a flat in Poland costs in 2026
According to the National Bank of Poland, in the second quarter of 2026 a square metre in Warsaw sold for about 16,800 zlotys in new builds and about 16,700 zlotys on the resale market in real transactions, roughly $4,300-4,400. Listing prices are higher: sellers ask 18,500-19,100 zlotys per square metre. Example calculation: a 50 m² flat in Warsaw costs about $220,000.
Krakow, Wroclaw and Gdansk are slightly cheaper than the capital, and mid-sized cities noticeably cheaper. Districts and rents are covered in the guides to Warsaw and Krakow.
Does a foreigner need a permit to buy
- A flat - no permit, whatever your citizenship.
- A house with a plot and land - citizens of countries outside the EU and the European Economic Area need a permit from the Interior Minister, with a fee of about $410. A deal without the permit is void.
- Shares in a Polish company that owns property - also with a permit.
Taxes and costs when buying
| Payment | Amount |
|---|---|
| Civil law transactions tax, resale | 2% of the market value |
| New build | no transaction tax, 8% VAT already included for flats up to 150 m² |
| Notary and land register entry | at state tariffs |
Example calculation: on a $220,000 resale flat the tax is about $4,400. Dollars are at the National Bank of Poland rate, rounded up.
A flat needs no permit, a house only with one
In Poland buyers lose money when they confuse a flat with a house: a non-EU citizen needs a ministry permit for a house with a plot, and a deal without it is void. Other risks are a mortgage or third-party claims in the land register, a deposit left unprotected in the preliminary contract and payments held up by the bank. We establish whether a permit is needed, check the land register, prepare the contracts and complete the deal before a notary.
The cost of support depends on the property, the city and any permit needed; a manager will calculate it in the chat.
Owner's taxes
Rent is taxed at a flat rate: 8.5% of revenue up to 100,000 zlotys a year, about $26,000, and 12.5% above that, with no deduction of expenses. Selling within five years, counted from the end of the year of purchase, is taxed at 19% of the profit; later the sale is tax-free. More on the page taxes in Poland.
Does a flat give residence in Poland
No. Poland has no golden visa, and buying property gives no migration rights: status is obtained through work, business, study or family. Since 2022 it has been harder for Russian citizens than for others: visas and permits are restricted, and the realistic route is the Pole's Card or family. What a Polish passport gives a Russian is covered in Poland and Russia dual citizenship.
How to buy a flat in Poland: step by step
- Choose the city and market: a new build or a resale flat.
- Check the property in the land register: owner, mortgages and encumbrances.
- Open an account with a Polish bank for payments.
- Sign a preliminary contract and pay a deposit.
- Complete the deal before a notary: the notary withholds the tax and files the land register entry.
FAQ
Can a foreigner buy a flat in Poland?
How much does a flat in Warsaw cost in 2026?
What tax do you pay when buying a flat in Poland?
Does buying a flat give residence in Poland?
What is the tax on renting out a flat in Poland?
Can a Russian buy a flat in Poland?
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