Cost of Buying an Apartment in Poland 2026: All Fees Explained

The sticker price of an apartment is just the beginning. In Poland, expect to pay an additional 5-12% of the purchase price in fees, taxes, and associated costs. On a 600,000 PLN apartment, that is 30,000-72,000 PLN in extras. Here is every cost, with current 2026 figures.

Transaction costs

Notary fees (taksa notarialna)

Required for the property transfer deed (akt notarialny). Fees are regulated by law and depend on the property value:

Example: 600,000 PLN apartment. Notary fee: 1,010 + (540,000 x 0.4%) = 1,010 + 2,160 = 3,170 PLN + 23% VAT = 3,899 PLN.

PCC tax (podatek od czynnosci cywilnoprawnych)

Resale (secondary market) only: 2% of the purchase price. On a 600,000 PLN resale apartment: 12,000 PLN.

New build from developer: No PCC tax (VAT is included in the developer's price).

This is the single largest transaction fee for resale purchases. There is no PCC exemption for first-time buyers (unless a specific government program provides one).

Court fees (opata sadowa)

For registering the new ownership in the land and mortgage register (ksiega wieczysta):

• Ownership registration: 200 PLN
• Mortgage registration (if applicable): 200 PLN

Agent/broker fee (prowizja posrednika)

If you used a real estate agent, the fee is typically 2-3% of the purchase price, plus 23% VAT. On 600,000 PLN: 14,760-22,140 PLN (2-3% + VAT).

Some transactions are "provisionsfrei" (no buyer commission — the seller pays). Always clarify who pays the agent before engaging.

Mortgage costs

Mortgage arrangement fee (prowizja za udzielenie kredytu)

Banks charge 0-2% of the loan amount as an origination fee. On a 480,000 PLN mortgage (80% LTV): 0-9,600 PLN.

Many banks waive this fee for competitive offers or cross-sell it with insurance products.

Property appraisal (wycena nieruchomosci)

Required by the bank before mortgage approval: 400-800 PLN.

Mortgage insurance (ubezpieczenie pomostowe)

Until the mortgage is registered in the ksiega wieczysta (which can take weeks to months), the bank charges a temporary higher rate or insurance premium: typically 0.1-0.2% of the loan amount per month.

Life insurance (if required by bank)

Many banks require life insurance as a condition of the mortgage. Annual premium: 0.03-0.08% of outstanding loan balance = approximately 150-400 PLN/year on a 480,000 PLN loan.

Move-in costs

Renovation/fit-out (developer standard)

New-build apartments in Poland are typically delivered in "developer standard" (stan deweloperski): walls plastered, basic electrical and plumbing installed, but no flooring, painted walls, bathroom fixtures, or kitchen.

Full fit-out cost: 1,000-2,500 PLN per m2. For a 50 m2 apartment: 50,000-125,000 PLN.

This is often the largest hidden cost that first-time buyers underestimate.

Resale apartment renovation

Even resale apartments often need updating. Budget: 500-1,500 PLN per m2 for a moderate renovation (new flooring, paint, bathroom refresh, kitchen update). For 50 m2: 25,000-75,000 PLN.

Furniture and appliances

From scratch (new apartment): 15,000-40,000 PLN for essential furniture and appliances (bed, sofa, table, washing machine, refrigerator, oven).

Moving costs

Professional movers within the same city: 500-1,500 PLN. Between cities: 1,500-4,000 PLN.

Total cost summary

New build (developer), 50 m2, 700,000 PLN

Premium over sticker price: 16%

Resale, 50 m2, 600,000 PLN

Premium over sticker price: 16%

Plan your total apartment budget including all these costs. Use Freenance to track your down payment savings goal and see how quickly you will reach the full amount, not just the apartment price.

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FAQ

What total premium over the sticker price should I budget for in Poland?

Expect to add 5-12% to the listed price once you include notary, PCC tax (on resale), court fees, agent commission, mortgage origination, and basic move-in costs. On a 600,000 PLN apartment that is realistically 30,000-72,000 PLN in extras. New builds without PCC tax sit at the lower end; resale with an agent and full renovation sits at the high end.

Is PCC tax always charged when buying an apartment?

PCC tax (2% of the price) applies to resale transactions on the secondary market. Primary-market purchases from a developer are exempt because VAT is already included in the developer's price. There is no general PCC exemption for first-time buyers outside specific government programs.

How much should I set aside for fit-out of a new-build apartment?

Polish developers typically deliver in "stan deweloperski" — bare walls, basic utilities, no flooring or kitchen. A reasonable fit-out runs 1,000-2,500 PLN per square metre, so a 50 m2 apartment is 50,000-125,000 PLN on top of the purchase price. This is the single most underestimated cost for first-time buyers.

Do I really need a mortgage broker or real estate agent?

Neither is mandatory. Brokers can save time by comparing offers across banks, but you can also approach 3-4 banks directly. Agent fees of 2-3% plus VAT are negotiable and sometimes paid by the seller — always clarify who pays before signing any agreement.

How can I plan the down payment and total cost realistically?

List every cost line (deposit, notary, taxes, fit-out, furniture, moving) and set a single savings target that covers all of them, not just the 20% down payment. Freenance lets you track savings goals against actual progress and shows whether your current monthly surplus will get you there on time. Most buyers underestimate by 15-20%.