An overview of the property tax system in Poland for foreign citizens and expats
Interest in Polish real estate among foreigners, including Ukrainian expats, continues to grow. At the same time, it is important to consider the tax burden associated with both the purchase and ownership and sale of a home. In this article, we will look at the key taxes related to real estate in Poland, as well as the current rates and features for individuals.
– Tax on the purchase of real estate: tax on civil law transactions (PCC)
When purchasing secondary real estate (from a private individual), the buyer is required to pay PCC at a rate of 2% of the property value.
Example: an apartment for €100,000 — the tax will be €2,000.
If the property is purchased on the primary market (from a developer), PCC is not payable, but VAT is charged (usually 8% or 23% depending on the type of housing and area).
Up to 150 m² for an apartment or 300 m² for a house — 8% VAT
Above these limits — 23% VAT on the excess
The purchase is accompanied by notary fees: drawing up the agreement, entry in the land register, registration fees. The average amount of additional costs is about 2–4% of the purchase price.
– Property tax (Podatek od nieruchomości)
This is an annual local tax paid by every property owner. It is determined at the commune (municipality) level and depends on the size of the property.
Maximum rates in 2025 (set annually by the Polish Ministry of Finance):
Apartments and houses: up to PLN 1.15 per m² (≈ €0.27)
Land plots for residential purposes: up to PLN 0.70 per m² (≈ €0.16)
Example: a 60 m² apartment in Warsaw → tax ~ €16 per year.
Important: the rate is lower in small towns and closer to the maximum in the capital.
– Tax on rental income
If the property is rented out, the income is taxable. Individuals can choose one of the following schemes:
Market rate (general PIT scale): 12% up to PLN 120,000 of income per year and 32% on the excess (2025)
Flat rate (ryczałt): 8.5% on income up to PLN 100,000 and 12% on the excess
The ryczałt regime is popular among small landlords, especially for short-term rentals.
– Capital gains tax (on sale)
When selling real estate earlier than 5 years after its acquisition, there is an obligation to pay 19% capital gains tax on the profit.
Exceptions:
The tax is not payable if the seller has owned the property for 5 years or more.
Exemption is also available if the entire amount is used to purchase a new home or for construction within 3 years.
– Other costs and fees
Property maintenance: utility bills, repair and management fees (especially in residential complexes)
Garbage collection fee: set by the municipality, depends on the number of residents
Management company fees: from PLN 2 to PLN 4/m² per month (€0.5–1/m²)
The Polish real estate taxation system is moderate and relatively transparent. Particular attention should be paid to the PCC tax when purchasing and the obligation to pay capital gains tax when selling. For foreign investors and relocators, it is important to take into account the total tax burden in advance when planning a purchase or lease.
relocation.com.ua recommends consulting a Polish tax advisor or lawyer before entering into a transaction to avoid unexpected costs and optimize the tax consequences.
