Real Estate / Poland property boom over???? [54]


Hi 'hello',

As much as one would like to believe and support the above statement, unfortunately, in today's Polish real estate market, the salary of a resident living in Poland is now a moot point. I say this because now in the EU we have the freedom of labor, goods, and capital. Since all foreigners can purchase flats in Poland just like a Pole can, this is a good example of this theory in practice. It is mostly foreign invesment and ruthless speculators which are responsible for the terrible flat prices in cities like Warsaw and Kraków, not local Poles. In fact, most Poles who work in Poland cannot afford these kind of prices. Poles that work in UK or Ireland for example, could. This was a grave error on part of the Polish government during the early days of democracy and EU membership, to allow unrestricted purchase of flats by foreigners (non-Polish citizens). Example: Irish banker sitting in his office one day is thinking to buy a flat in Warsaw. He takes a holiday and travels to Poland for several days, looks at a flat in Warsaw and bids a higher price than the Pole who wanted it, then buys it and goes back to his home in Ireland. This is a scenario only too common. The Polish government should have enforced restrictions on 'flats' similar to those of land/farm purchases. That is now water under the bridge and cannot be reversed. The same is already happening with farms and land but on a much smaller scale due to the helpful restrictions in place. When the year 2016 is reached, the market will be completely open, and prices will only escalate up until that time.

Real Estate / Poland property boom over???? [54]


As someone in the "Poland Real Estate" thread had previously mentioned, property prices in Poland will continue to increase until they have reached a level similar to their Western European counterparts. I also believe this to hold true. On the flip side, anything ridiculously overpriced, being higher than similar properties in the West, are due for a downside correction. It works both ways. I think she said, 'prices of all goods and services in the EU will eventually reach an approximate level of equilibrium', with some minor differences always existing. The laws of supply and demand within the EU will set the prices.

Travel / Is Wroclaw the best city in Poland? [30]

Both Wrocław and Kraków are beautiful, and crowded. Poland is dotted with many smaller historical towns which contain wonderful old architecture, such as: Reszel, Byczyna, Biecz, Leżajsk...just to name a few. There are many more. I prefer a village in the mountains with a spacious backyard and forest! :-)

Real Estate / Can I buy a small farm in Poland? [49]


Yes, I believe it does. Leasing a farm and working the land is the same as owning the farm in this context.


Here is where it might get tricky. I was able to get Polish citizenship back in 1998, so that made the buying process much easier for me. If you aren't a citizen of Poland and do not hold a Polish passport and Dowod Osobisty, this may be where the 'foreigner' status kicks in along with the 7 year or longer time period for actually purchasing and owning the property. To be sure, this latter question would be better answered by a real estate attorney or specialist. To avoid high attorney costs, I recommend you directly contact the AWRSP (Agencja Wlasnosci Rolnej Skarbu Panstwa), if that agency hasn't been replaced by another one yet, or speak to a good Notary. Notaries are updated with these laws because they are the ones that ultimately must realize the final paperwork for you via the courts and property register.


A pack of "Delicja" would be fine! :-)

Real Estate / Cost to build a house from scratch in Poland? Any companies that do it? [14]

All of my building materials were purchased during the years 2002-2004, when prices were low and the US dollar was strong. For example, during the year 2003, 1 US dollar = 4 PLN, and the price for 1 cinder block (pustaki pionowy) was only 2.5 PLN. Today, 1 US dollar = 2.40 PLN, and 1 cinder block costs about 10 PLN plus a high VAT rate. That said, my house cost me only $30,000 US dollars (materials, labor, plumbing, electric, furniture, not including the cost of land) which is 105 m^2 (15 meters x 7 meters). My house includes 3 bedrooms, 1 large living room, 1 bathroom/shower, 1 kitchen, 1 miscellaneous room, 3 large basements (two were from the previous home) and a large spacioius attic which is being converted to 3 more rooms. It was very inexpensive back then, and now you will be paying much more.

The best way to build a new home is to build it on an area or foundation where an older wooden or brick home stands. In many instances, there will already be an existing electric service, telephone line, and water well as was in my case. Also, building in such a way is considered to be a 'renovation', and not 'new home'. You save alot of money doing it this way since a new plan and architect isn't required, and new electric lines and poles aren't needed, as well as associated zoning costs.

Life / The Guardian : Living in Poland [30]

Interesting article, although it contained some exaggerations such as Poland having extremely bitter winters and other comments. All in all though, it presented Poland in good light.

This American expat found the wonderful 'secret' of living in Poland back in 2002. After living in a village, I would never even think of living in a flat in any large city, not in Warsaw or Krakow.

Real Estate / Cost to build a house from scratch in Poland? Any companies that do it? [14]


Thanks! Yes, I received permission from the local gmina (main commune town hall) to build it. It was considered a 'renovation', because the new house was build on the exact location of the old wooden house, and the style and dimensions didn't change much.


No, again, it was a 'renovation', not a new plan. I designed the appearance and interior of the home though.

Real Estate / Cost to build a house from scratch in Poland? Any companies that do it? [14]

I built my own house from scratch, in the exact area where my former wooden home stood. The barn has also been renovated, needing only windows and doors now. It was quite an enjoyable experience doing the work myself, along with several assistants. It takes alot of time and motivation, but it is very rewarding. The only difficult part now is to find available Polish workers, Many of the best have gone to other countries to work. Below are before and after photos attached. Cheers!

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Real Estate / Can I buy a small farm in Poland? [49]

Hi, I'm in Malopolskie, near Tarnow. I'm an expat who owns 2 farms in the Carpathian foothills. Let's meet in person and talk about this topic over some good coffee and cakes! This is a very interesting topic indeed.

For your information, the last time I purchased arable land for my farm here, 1 hectare, my notary checked the following before I was able to sign off on the deal:

1) If you are a 'farmer"

Definition of 'farmer'" - individual that either (a) owned a farm and has relevant farming experience for at least 5 years or more, or (b) has a formal education in farming, along with some practical experience.

2) Once the above was verified, the AWRSP (Agencja Wlasnosci Rolnej Skarbu Panstwa) located in Opole had to first approve the sale in writing, taking about 1 month to do so, This agency checks ensures that a fair bidding and selling process occurs, with priority given to farmers that own land near the land put up for sale. Also, if a farmer should bid higher than my offer, then that farmer has the right to purchase. This was information provided to me by my notary public.

Real Estate / What kind of property would you buy in Poland? [19]

A house and lots of land, in a peaceful secluded area, with a farm. :-)