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MSWiA · permit · non-EU

MSWiA real estate permit

Polish Ministry of Interior consent for non-EU/EEA buyers

Citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA must obtain MSWiA permission before buying real estate in Poland. Without it, the transaction is void from the moment of signing. We prepare documents and demonstrate ties to Poland (więź z Polską), and run the case at the Department of Permits. Decision time 60-180 days. Exemptions: apartments (not houses), 5 years of living in Poland after getting PR or EU long-term resident status, marriage to a Polish citizen with 2 years in Poland after getting PR.

Decision time
60-180 days
MSWiA · standard
Validity
2 years
tied to specific property
State fee
1,570 PLN
opłata skarbowa
Area limit
0.5-1 ha
house + plot

When permission is required

Not every purchase requires it. Many foreigners buy without - knowing exemptions matters.

01 / 06

House or land - non-EU buyer

House with plot, standalone land - permission mandatory.

02 / 06

Controlling stake in property-holding Sp. z o.o.

Buying > 50% of shares in a Sp. z o.o. owning property - counts as indirect purchase.

03 / 06

Exemption - apartment

Apartment unit and parking spot - no permit needed (except border zone). Biggest exemption.

04 / 06

Karta Polaka is no exemption

Art. 8 of the act has no such exemption: card holders need a permit on the same terms. Attach the card to the application as proof of ties to Poland.

05 / 06

Exemption - marriage

A spouse of a Polish citizen who has lived in Poland for at least 2 years since getting PR or EU long-term resident status buys without a permit, if the property becomes joint marital property.

06 / 06

Exemption - 5 years after PR

A foreigner who has lived in Poland for at least 5 years since getting PR or EU long-term resident status buys without a permit. The card alone doesn't give this right.

Permit process

From preliminary contract to permit issuance - typically 3-6 months.

  1. 01

    Consultation

    30 min

    Whether your nationality and the property require permission.

  2. 02

    Preliminary agreement

    1 week

    Sign with seller. Suspension condition: deed after permit. Deposit 5-10%.

  3. 03

    Application drafting

    2-3 weeks

    Application + ties justification: work, family, business, education, language.

  4. 04

    Filing at MSWiA

    1 day

    ePUAP or in person at ul. Batorego 5, Warsaw. Fee 1,570 PLN. Documents in Polish with sworn translation.

  5. 05

    MSWiA review

    60-180 days

    Country of origin, source of funds, purpose, ties, state security checks.

  6. 06

    Decision

    1 day

    Sent by post or ePUAP. Valid 2 years on specific property.

  7. 07

    Notarial deed

    1 day

    Notary handles transfer with permit attached. Standard procedure.

/ documents

What we need

MSWiA looks at completeness and the strength of ties.

  • Application (we prepare)01
  • Passport + residence card with sworn translation02
  • Preliminary purchase agreement03
  • Land register (KW) extract04
  • Cadastral map and land register excerpt05
  • 12 months of bank statements, work contracts, company financials (source of funds)06
  • Ties evidence: 3 years of PIT/CIT, employment/lease contracts, KRS, family records07
  • Apostille on foreign documents08
  • Sworn translations09
  • Power of attorney for us10

Our fee

Turnkey from consultation to permit.

Consultation
300 PLN
Document review and written plan · credited towards the service
PopularApplication
from 4,800 PLN
Docs + filing + representation
With sworn translations
from 6,500 PLN
+ apostille
Complex case
from 9,800 PLN
Border zone · weak ties

* MSWiA fee 1,570 PLN separate. Apostille from country of origin - separate. Translations ~50-100 PLN/page.

Legal basis
  • §01Act of 24 March 1920 on the Acquisition of Real Estate by Foreigners
  • §02MSWiA Regulation of 17 January 2017 on detailed information and documents
  • §03Constitution of Poland - art. 32
  • §04EU Accession Treaty of 16 April 2003 (EU/EEA exemption)
  • §05Hague Apostille Convention 1961
/ questions

Frequently asked

  • Any apartment unit - yes, regardless of nationality. Exception: border zone (15 km from BY, RU, UA, LT borders - always need permit). House with land - always needs permit.

Journal

Articles on this topic

LegalWin Blog
Real estate

Buying a flat in Poland as a foreigner 2026: steps, taxes, permits

When no MSWiA permit is needed, 2% transfer tax and VAT, notarial costs, a mortgage as a foreigner, and the land register checks to run before signing.

5 min read
Real Estate

Buying Property in Poland 2026: MSWiA Permit Rules

When buying a flat, house or land needs an MSWiA permit, how to prove ties to Poland, processing times. A guide for US, UK and CIS buyers.

7 min read

Related services

Everything a foreigner needs in Poland

Real estate due diligence

Legal property check before purchase: KW, encumbrances, history

Notary attendance

Real-estate specialist attending the deed of sale

Apartment search

Renting or buying a flat as a foreigner: choosing it, checking the owner, the contract

Get in touch

MSWiA permit turnkey

A 300 PLN consultation, credited towards the service, to check whether you need a permit. Turnkey from 4,800 PLN.

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