You found the perfect plot. Maybe for a villa, maybe for a housing project.
But then someone says: “Wait... foreigners can`t buy land in Poland, right?”
That`s not entirely true. This article explains exactly when foreigners can buy land in Poland, when they can`t – and what to do if they can`t.
Legal? Yes. Complicated? A bit. Possible? Definitely.
1. The General Rule: Yes for EU/EEA, No for Others (At First)
If you are a citizen of the European Union, EEA, or Switzerland – you can buy land in Poland without restrictions.
You have the same rights as Polish citizens. That includes:
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Agricultural land
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Forests
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Building plots
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Commercial sites
If you`re from outside the EU/EEA, things are more limited – especially for land (not apartments). You`ll usually need a permit from the Ministry of Interior.
2. When Do You Need a Permit?
Foreigners from outside the EU/EEA typically need a government permit to buy:
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Any land with buildings (like a house with a yard)
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A standalone land plot (e.g. for development)
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Forest, agricultural or recreational land
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Any share in land (e.g. 50% of a house with a garden)
This requirement applies whether you buy from a person, company or developer.
Getting the permit takes time (2–6 months), and approval is not guaranteed.
3. When Can You Buy Without a Permit?
Even non-EU foreigners don`t always need a permit. You can buy without it if:
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You`re buying an apartment in a multi-unit building (no land title)
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You`ve lived in Poland for over 5 years with permanent residence
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You are married to a Polish citizen and have lived in Poland for at least 2 years
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You buy through a Polish-registered company
These exemptions are written in Polish law – and perfectly legal.
4. The “Polish Company” Strategy
This is the most common strategy for non-EU investors.
How it works:
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You create a Polish limited company (sp. z o.o.)
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The company buys land and becomes the owner
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You control the company, and therefore the land
This is fully legal and commonly used by developers, investors, and even individuals planning a private build.
Advantages:
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No permit needed
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Easier tax handling
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You can buy multiple properties under one structure
Important: the company must be properly registered in Poland and active (not just on paper).
5. Watch Out for These Mistakes
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Trying to skip the permit by using a Polish “friend” as proxy – risky and illegal
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Buying agricultural land without understanding zoning rules – can`t always build
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Not checking access to public roads or utility infrastructure
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Trusting developer sales without checking land status (sometimes the “apartment” is legally a house)
Always check the land`s entry in the Land Register, zoning plan, and legal usage rules.
Podsumowanie
Yes – foreigners can buy land in Poland, but it depends on where you`re from and how you structure the purchase.
If you`re from outside the EU – get good advice, and consider setting up a Polish company.
If you`re from inside the EU – congrats, you`re free to buy (almost) whatever you want.
Need help buying land legally in Krakow or surrounding areas?
We work with foreign investors, developers and private buyers to navigate land purchases – legally, safely, and profitably.
Ekspert Nieruchomości Dariusz Winiarski – trusted local advisor in land transactions.
