Purchase of real estate in Poland by foreigners still requires complying with certain conditions

Real estate opportunities in Poland: a comparative look at Poland’s foreign ownership laws.

In the realm of international real estate investment, Poland offers many opportunities for foreigners seeking to acquire properties. Unlike France, which has no restrictions on foreign ownership, Poland sets certain conditions for non-citizens.

As a principle, polish legal system grants freedom to EU and European Economic Area (EEA) citizens in purchasing real estate. Drawing its roots from a law dating back to the 1920s, which remains in force to this day and aligns with European law standards, these citizens can acquire property without any administrative authorization. A seamless process that provides a compelling incentive for investors.

However, in contrast to this open-door policy, since Agriculture Act 2016, the acquisition of agricultural land exceeding 3,000 m2 has been subject to strict limitations. Such land is now exclusively reserved for individual farmers, excluding any group ownership. The non-farmers who wish to purchase agricultural lands can nevertheless do so by seeking an approval from the National Agricultural Agency. They must however meet specific requirements, one of which involves committing to the development of a farm on the land.