Guide to Long-Term Property Rental in Poland

Published on September 30, 2025 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Long-term property rental in Poland may seem like a complex challenge for newcomers to this dynamic market, but understanding current rules and trends greatly simplifies the process.

Poland, with its growing economy and appeal to expatriates, offers a unique opportunity for investors and tenants looking to establish themselves long-term.

Navigating legal procedures, identifying promising neighborhoods, and avoiding common pitfalls require good preparation and thorough knowledge of the local real estate sector.

This article will guide you through the essential steps and practical tips to ensure a successful rental, whether you’re an owner seeking to maximize your investment or a tenant looking for a long-term residence.

Long-Term Property Rental in Poland: A Lucrative Opportunity

Long-term property rental in Poland represents a lucrative opportunity for foreign investors, thanks to a favorable tax environment, the strength of the Polish economy, and growing demand for rental housing in its major cities.

Tax Benefits for Foreign Investors:

• Flat tax rate on rental income between 8.5% and 12.5%, applicable to residents and non-residents alike.
• No social security contributions on rental income.
• No social levies on real estate dividends (potential savings of 17.2%).
• Bilateral agreements to avoid double taxation of international property income.

Type of Benefit	Details
Taxation	8.5–12.5% (flat tax)
Social Contributions	None
Notary Fees	~2% of property price
Purchase Process	EU Residents: free / Non-EU: permit required

Economic Dynamism and Impact on the Real Estate Market:

Poland is showing expected economic growth around 3.5–4% in 2025. Its public debt remains under control (less than 60% of GDP), reassuring investors and financial institutions. Foreign direct investment has exceeded 310 billion USD since joining the EU.

The vitality of innovative industrial sectors (electric batteries, automotive, etc.) directly stimulates commercial and residential real estate demand. Property prices remain attractive with strong growth (+17% in one year), while gross yields range between 2% and 8% depending on the asset type or target city.

Growing Demand in Major Cities:

Demographic pressure is intensifying in Warsaw, Krakow, and Wrocław:

• Continuous increase in the number of European/non-European expatriates.
• Mass influx of international workers linked to industrial/technological development.
• Foreign students also contribute to this dynamic.

Typical monthly rents:

City	Studio (€)	2-Room Apartment (€)
Warsaw	~400	~700
Krakow	~400	~650
Wrocław	~350	~600

Warsaw accounts for nearly 60% of national transactions; Krakow benefits greatly from international tourism; Wrocław attracts with its academic dynamism.

Strategies to Secure a Long-Term Lease:

1. Contract Negotiation
   • Prefer written leases clearly detailing minimum duration/amount/indexation rules/renewal
   • Include specific clauses on initial condition/repairs/precautions against early departure
2. Adaptation to Local Law
   • Respect Polish formalism: legal notification / security deposit limited by law
   • Consult a local notary or specialized lawyer
   • Arrange official translation if owner/investor does not master Polish
3. Proactive Management
   • Collaborate with reputable local agencies for rigorous candidate screening
   • Offer high-end furnished rentals in sought-after neighborhoods to attract expatriates/international executives

Numerical Examples Illustrating Profitability:

SCPI Corum XL – office building Krakow
Investment: 54 M€
Annual yield: 6.6%

SCPI Corum XL – second office building Krakow
Investment: 42 M€
Annual yield: 8.1%

For an individual:

Assume purchasing a new studio in Warsaw for 100,000 €, rented at 400 €/month, i.e., 4,800 €/year, thus generating an annual gross profitability close to 4–5%, before tax benefits.

Quick list of key points:

• Simple & attractive taxation;
• Robust economic growth;
• High structural demand in metropolitan areas;
• High yields compared to Western Europe;
• Need for local legal adaptation when drafting long-term leases;

Investing in long-term rental in Poland combines tax security and high potential thanks to Polish urban dynamism

Basics of Lease Agreements in Poland

Types of Lease Agreements in Poland

In Poland, the lease agreement (umowa najmu) is mainly governed by articles 659 and following of the Polish Civil Code. There are two main categories:

Type	Description	Maximum Duration
Fixed-term	The contract stipulates a fixed period. The duration cannot exceed 10 years (or 30 years if both parties are entrepreneurs). Beyond that, it becomes an indefinite-term contract.	Up to 10 or 30 years
Indefinite-term	No end date is set in advance; termination is possible according to modalities provided by law or the contract.	Unlimited

Written form is mandatory for any lease with a duration exceeding one year. Otherwise, it will be considered concluded for an indefinite period.

Legal Obligations of the Parties

Landlord’s Obligations:

• Provide the tenant with a property conforming to the agreed use
• Maintain the housing in usable condition and perform necessary major repairs
• Guarantee the tenant’s peaceful enjoyment of the property

Tenant’s Obligations:

• Use the property in accordance with the contract and its intended purpose
• Pay the rent regularly at agreed due dates
• Take care of the housing and perform minor routine repairs

Common Clauses in a Lease Agreement

Non-exhaustive list:

• Precise identification of the parties and the leased property (address, description)
• Amount, method, and due date of rent
• Specific duration if fixed-term or general conditions if indefinite-term
• Modalities for possible rent indexation
• Security deposit (amount, refund)
• Allocation of charges (water, heating, etc.)
• Conditions for early termination by each party
• Move-in/move-out inspection report

Rights Regarding Termination

Tenants:

Rights vary depending on the contract form:

• For a fixed-term lease: Termination possible only in cases explicitly provided by the contract.
• For an indefinite-term lease: Legal notice period provided by the Polish Civil Code or contractual provisions.

Landlords:

• Similar possibility depending on type/duration.
• Certain serious reasons can justify early termination (repeated non-payments, etc.).

Security Deposit

The security deposit (“kaucja”) is common:

• Its maximum amount generally cannot exceed twelve times the initial monthly rent.
• It must be refunded after possible deduction of amounts due for damages or unpaid rent.

Solvency Check

The typical procedure includes:

1. Request for information on professional/financial situation,
2. Possible presentation of employment/income proof,
3. Sometimes verification with local registers dedicated to debtors,
4. Possible consultation with previous landlords with prior consent.

Tax Specificities

The owner must declare rental income to the Polish tax authorities (“Urząd Skarbowy”). Two main regimes exist:

Tax Regime	Characteristics
Flat-rate taxation	Tax on a simplified flat-rate basis
Progressive taxation	Income integrated into progressive income tax

Some contracts require official registration for the income to be legally recognized.

Polish Civil Code – articles 659 and following, supplemented for certain aspects related to residential rights by the Special Law on the Protection of Tenants’ Rights (“Ustawa o ochronie praw lokatorów”, Official Journal Dz.U.2001 nr 71 poz.733).

Note
The special status granted in France to commercial leases does not exist in this form in Polish law; these rentals essentially fall under the Civil Code without additional specific protective regime for commercial lessees.

• Main types: fixed-term / indefinite-term
• Essential obligations clearly defined
• Recommended key clauses
• Legally regulated notice periods
• Deposit often required but capped
• Systematic check possible before signing
• Unavoidable declarative/tax obligations

How to Determine the Right Rent for Your Property

Determining the right rent for a property in Poland requires considering several essential factors influencing rental market prices.

Key Factors to Consider:

• Geographical Location: Proximity to city centers, universities, or major economic hubs significantly increases the requested rent. Cities like Warsaw and Krakow generally display rents above the national average.
• Property Size and Type: A spacious family apartment or a single-family house will be rented for more than a micro-apartment or a shared room.
• Property Condition and Amenities: New, recently renovated, or modern-equipped homes (elevator, parking, security) justify a higher rent level.
• Current Rental Market Situation: Average annual increases reach about 4.2% early 2025; the national average rent was 3,581 PLN/month (approximately 925 USD). The rapid rise in price per square meter in major cities reflects demand pressure.

City	Average Price/m² (PLN)	Yearly Change
Warsaw	~15,000	+50% since 2015

Essential Comparative Analysis

To set a competitive rent:

1. Conduct a comparative analysis with recent listings for similar properties in the same neighborhood — equivalent size, comparable condition, identical amenities.
2. Use this study to avoid being undervalued (financial loss) or overestimated (risk of prolonged vacancy).

Polish Legislation on Rents

Currently, there is no widespread strict legal cap for private rents in Poland. However:

• Some municipalities may temporarily impose restrictions during exceptional situations.
• It is essential that any contract respects local regulations, particularly regarding minimum lease duration and its indexation modalities.

Be sure to regularly consult local legislative developments that could directly impact your ability to increase or adjust your rent.

Potential Impact of Seasonal Demand

In some university cities and tourist areas:

• Demand can vary strongly depending on the period (university start/tourist season start).
• This mainly influences furnished short-term rentals but can have an indirect effect on long-term rates if many offers shift between segments.

List of Useful Tools / Resources to Correctly Assess Your Rent:

• Specialized Polish real estate portals like Otodom.pl or Gratka.pl allowing search by city/neighborhood/type/housing
• Integrated analytical tools offered by some sites displaying historical/local averages
• Official statistics published by GUS (Główny Urząd Statystyczny – Polish Central Statistical Office)
• International comparators including Numbeo.com

Practical Tips for Adjusting Your Rate:

1. Regularly review your pricing positioning via local competitive monitoring;
2. Quickly consider recurring negative feedback indicating unfavorable value for money;
3. Occasionally adjust the requested amount during marked macroeconomic changes (high inflation/variation in central bank interest rate);
4. Provide contractual flexibility allowing automatic annual renegotiation indexed on an official index if possible;
5. Favor responsiveness to local seasonal trends through a specific clause in the lease.

Active monitoring of the local market along with regular adaptation allows the owner not only to ensure profitability but also to sustainably limit vacancy periods while meeting current rental expectations!

Ensuring a Good Relationship with Your Tenants

Clear and regular communication with your tenants in Poland is essential to establish a climate of trust, prevent misunderstandings, and ensure proper property management. Transparent exchanges not only allow quick resolution of potential problems but also maintain a lasting professional relationship.

Tips for Establishing Effective Communication Channels:

• Provide multiple means of contact from the start (phone, email, instant messaging).
• Indicate in the contract or during the inspection the contacts to use in case of emergency.
• Prefer written form for any important information (rent payment reminders, maintenance notifications) to keep a record.
• Use locally popular applications (like WhatsApp or Messenger) if it matches the tenant’s habits.

Benefits of Periodic Visits:

Organizing regular meetings or visits allows:

Recommended Frequency	Main Objective
Every 6 to 12 months	Check the general condition of the housing
In case of works	Ensure everything proceeds according to the lease

These visits reassure the tenant about your involvement and facilitate early detection of potential technical or relational problems. However, it is important to respect the legal notice period and the tenant’s privacy before any visit.

Quick and Professional Handling of Complaints:

• Acknowledge receipt immediately after reporting a problem.
• Propose a reasonable intervention timeframe according to severity.
• Keep the tenant informed throughout the process until complete resolution.

This professionalism greatly reduces the risk of disputes and shows your seriousness in your legal responsibilities.

Climate of Trust and Mutual Respect:

To extend the average lease duration:

1. Scrupulously respect all contractual clauses on both landlord and tenant sides
2. Be open to discussion when necessary adjustments are needed (e.g., temporary adaptation in case of financial difficulties)
3. Acknowledge efforts made by each party to properly maintain the property

Cultural Aspects Specific to Poland That Can Influence This Relationship:

• Formal Respect: Landlord-tenant relationships are generally imbued with a certain formalism; it is therefore appropriate to be polite, punctual at appointments, precise in written communications.
• Importance Given to Written Contract, often very detailed regarding respective rights/duties.
• Direct Communication Appreciated, especially during initial negotiations or when addressing a technical problem.

In summary:
Proactive communication combined with rigorous respect for the Polish legal framework greatly favors a positive experience for both you and your tenants.