How to Buy Property in Poland Remotely – Step‑by‑Step Guide for Expats

Buying a flat in Warsaw while you are still abroad is fully feasible. In Q2 2026 the average asking price for a new‑build flat in the primary market was 18 488 PLN/m² and the median transaction price was 16 783 PLN/m² – figures that help you set a realistic budget before you even step on a plane.

1. Legal prerequisites for foreign buyers

Polish law distinguishes between EU/EEA citizens and third‑country nationals. According to the Act of 24 March 1920 a non‑EEA foreigner needs a permit from the Minister of the Interior (MSWiA) to buy real estate, but the exemption applies to samodzielny lokal mieszkalny (an independent residential flat). EU/EEA citizens and Swiss nationals do not need a permit.

If you need a permit, start the application at the Minister of the Interior portal and allow 4‑6 weeks. For most expats the process is straightforward, but a local lawyer can verify that the flat you target qualifies for the exemption.

2. Costs you must budget for

Even when buying from a developer (primary market) you still face several mandatory fees. The table below shows typical amounts for a 70 m² flat priced at the median primary‑market price in Wilanów (1 005 986 PLN):

Mortgage basics

The NBP reference rate was 3.75 % (Nov 2026) and banks typically add a margin of 2.25 %, giving a typical mortgage rate of ≈6 %. Using the example flat (1 005 986 PLN) with 20 % down payment, a 25‑year loan of 804 800 PLN results in a monthly instalment of ≈5 185 PLN (equal instalments). See our mortgage‑foreigner‑poland page for detailed eligibility.

3. Remote power of attorney (pełnomocnictwo notarialne)

Because you cannot sign the umowa deweloperska (developer contract) in person, you will grant a notarial power of attorney to a trusted representative in Poland – often a lawyer or a notary’s clerk. The steps are:

1. Draft the pełnomocnictwo in your home language and have it translated by a tłumacz przysięgły.
2. Sign the original abroad and have it legalized (apostille) if your country is a Hague Convention member.
3. Send the notarized, apostilled document to your Polish representative.
4. The Polish notary registers the power of attorney in the Elektroniczne Księgi Wieczyste system before the signing.

A notary’s fee for registering the power of attorney is included in the overall notary fee above. Always keep a scanned copy for your records.

4. Practical step‑by‑step checklist for buying remotely

1. Define budget – use the average price per m² (18 488 PLN) and add 5‑7 % for taxes and fees.
2. Select district – check our warsaw‑property‑prices‑per‑district for price trends.
3. Choose developer – we compare dozens of developers and verify their umowa deweloperska and price per m² against real RCN transactions.
4. Obtain permit (if needed) – submit to MSWiA; allow 4‑6 weeks.
5. Arrange power of attorney – prepare, translate, apostille, and send to your Polish representative.
6. Secure financing – apply for a mortgage; our mortgage‑borrowing‑capacity-poland calculator helps you assess LTV.
7. Sign the developer contract – representative signs on your behalf; notary records the deed.
8. Pay according to schedule – we track each instalment and ensure the developer’s escrow account is used.
9. Technical acceptance (odbiór techniczny) – we attend the hand‑over, verify finishes and collect the protokoł odbioru.
10. Register ownership – notary files the deed in the land register; you receive the title electronically.

5. Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

• Hidden VAT – developers include 8 % VAT for flats up to 150 m²; some also charge 23 % VAT for parking spaces. Verify the breakdown in the informacja o projekcie.
• Price per m² inflation – primary‑market asking prices rose 6.9 % YoY (Q2 2026). Compare the developer’s price with the median RCN price for the district; a large gap may signal overpricing.
• Unregistered power of attorney – if the POA is not entered in the electronic land‑register, the signing can be delayed or declared invalid.
• Exchange‑rate risk – if you fund the purchase from abroad, consider a forward contract to lock the PLN rate.
• Late‑stage changes – developers may modify finishes after signing. Our agency reviews the contract’s change‑clause and negotiates caps on additional costs.

6. How NAWROCKI Real Estate supports remote buyers

NAWROCKI acts as a buyer’s agent for new‑build flats across Warsaw. We:

• Compare offers from all 285 developments (14860 units on sale) and match them to your budget.
• Verify the developer’s price per m² against actual RCN transaction data for the district, preventing overpayment.
• Read and explain the umowa deweloperska and the information prospectus, highlighting hidden fees.
• Negotiate price, payment schedule and warranty terms on your behalf.
• Keep track of every instalment, ensuring the developer’s escrow account is used correctly.
• Attend the odbiór techniczny and confirm that the flat meets the agreed specifications.
• In most cases the developer pays our fee, so the service is free for you; we disclose any fee upfront.

Ready to start your remote purchase? Contact us and let our specialists guide you through every legal and financial detail.

This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Consult a notary, lawyer, tax adviser or mortgage broker before making a decision.

Sources

• Ustawa z 24 marca 1920 r. o nabywaniu nieruchomości przez cudzoziemców (ISAP)
• Ustawa z 9 września 2000 r. o podatku od czynności cywilnoprawnych (ISAP)