Real Estate / How do I rent a flat in Poland? [44]

Thanks for replying. Yes, I had thought I didn't need a visa too - but apparently any stay over 90 days regardless of working or not working -needs a visa. Please see this link:- msz.gov.pl

Countries whose citizens are not required to have a visa when entering Poland

Polish VISA REQUIREMENTS for holders of ordinary passports

Citizens of the following countries are not required to be in possession of a visa when entering Poland for less than 90 days:
.../
United Kingdom
.../·Their visit is of not more than three months' duration

and paiz.gov.pl/polish_law/residence_in_poland

1. EU and EEA citizens

Citizens of European Union (EU) member states and members of their families, and also citizens of states from the European Economic Area - Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland (EEA) and members of their families, may enter and stay in the territory of the Republic of Poland for a period not exceeding a total of 90 days without the necessity of holding a visa.Crossing the Republic of Poland border by a citizen of the EU requires that a valid travel document be held or another document confirming the identity and citizenship. A family member not being an EU citizen may enter the territory of the Republic of Poland on the basis of a valid travel document and a visa, if this is required.

.../

and note the 90 days asterisk here.

BUT if the law has changed, perhaps someone can tell me where I can find it, I have checked here etc

Real Estate / How do I rent a flat in Poland? [44]

JonnyM, well...why do the official websites say otherwise then? Have a look at them, please let me know where I'm misunderstanding the official websites. Thanks.

Real Estate / How do I rent a flat in Poland? [44]

How can official websites be wrong? As far as I know, I have supplied you with official websites.
And no need to get snappy and unpleasant is there, Mr JonnyM, pretty ridiculous attitude to take with me for pointing out official websites to you isn't it.

Real Estate / How do I rent a flat in Poland? [44]

JonnyM, you're making about as much sense as a chocolate teapot. I wasn't rude to you - do not be rude to me or if you can't help being rude then just don't post on any of my threads, please.

Real Estate / How do I rent a flat in Poland? [44]


Many thanks for that. The other thing I was wondering is whether, and I hesitate to even post this question in case I put ideas into lettings agents' heads :o) is whether they charge a tenant fees here when he/she applies for a tenancy? In the UK they do - anything from £50 to £500, depending on how much the agent thinks they can get away with. They only started that nonsense in the UK about 12 years ago, and now they charge for everything from drawing the agreement up, credit/reference checks, fee collection, checking in, checking out, the whole lot. And if a tenant fails references, the lettings agent keeps the fee anyway. I have never failed a reference, but if I did I would want my fee back - although I could whistle for it as once they have your fee money they have your fee money.

Real Estate / How do I rent a flat in Poland? [44]

Thank you for the answer and pointers, JonnyM.

Real Estate / How do I rent a flat in Poland? [44]

I see, so at the risk of sounding very naive why are those civil servants not up to speed on current laws and why does that go so far, as you suggest, as wrong info being on their govt's website? I had thought if there were regulations and they are published on a website with a Polish government URL that I could depend on them? But apparently not?!? Visa rules have changed and are out of date but no one's updated the website? Is that what's happened? I am just wondering why that is? I don't want to be tedious or annoying, I'm just puzzled.

Regarding renting, thank you for the tip re dealing direct. As you probably know, in the UK it's not unheard of for people to get hold of empty flat keys and pretend to be landlords and then steal your deposit, happened to 2 people I've heard of, one of them I know personally. Never saw their money again. Well-known newspapers and websites there have this as a problem from time to time.

Real Estate / How do I rent a flat in Poland? [44]

JonnyM, thank you for taking the time to post all that info, much obliged to you, and others who replied on this thread.

Real Estate / How do I rent a flat in Poland? [44]



When as in England, everyone in the numerous UK govt places I know of is terrified of being seen to deviate from any written rules and regulations and even if those rules change they want a memo in writing before daring to advise a member of the public anything contrary to what would be on a website or pamphlet.

Well, this has been something very interesting for me to learn - I knew there were cultural differences but didn't realise this dimension to things.

I feel less worried now if I am still here beyond 90 days, it's put my mind at rest that I won't have a load of hassle. Thank you all (and those who PM'ed me to advise and help also)

Real Estate / How do I rent a flat in Poland? [44]

One more question:
Do landlords negotiate on price here in Poland? In my experience in the UK they almost always do - up to 5% off usually instantly or without too much stress, and 6% to 12% off in the past took over a week or so of negotiations. In one case I reduced my rent just under 15% off for a year. That's because over there, rather than a flat sitting empty earning no rent, some landlords realise it's better to get less and a tenant sooner. However, some stick to their prices even if it means a void of months, one refused me and had his empty for (and I am not joking) 9 months (outskirts of London, Hertfordshire border).

Real Estate / How do I rent a flat in Poland? [44]

Thanks Harry, but 100zl in your example being approx what percentage of the asked for monthly rent, please?

Real Estate / How do I rent a flat in Poland? [44]


So, I do need a visa then? Some are saying I do, most are saying I don't! I am already in Poland btw.


DD, They do the same in England, I assure you! Plenty of landlords, even the very experienced one I used to rent from, get a void of months and months rather than negotiate. I had told him I wasn't staying there any more unless he either cut the rent or refurbished. He refused to cut the rent and refused any meaningful refurbishment. I left. He had it empty for over 6 months and he had to refurbish it before it let. This was near London. I spoke to the tenant who is there now when I collected nearly a year of post (very kindly they kept it for me) and they did not negotiate anything off the much increased rent, a very young and inexperienced couple had taken it. Adding up what the landlord lost by not negotiating with me, they will have to stay there overpaying as they are for many years to make up the void money.

Real Estate / How do I rent a flat in Poland? [44]


OK, I will look into getting one of those if I stay on, thanks

Love / What strange/unnerving/funny things do your Polish wives do? [153]


British Pounds? The way things are going (thank you Governor King).