Choosing the Best Real Estate Agency in Poland

Published on September 29, 2025 and written by Cyril Jarnias

In an ever-changing real estate market like Poland’s, finding the right agency can be complex but essential for realizing ambitious projects.

Evaluating a Real Estate Agency

relies on several determining criteria, and this guide aims to highlight the five distinctive signs of an agency you can trust. Whether you’re considering buying or selling in Poland, these indicators will help you navigate a sometimes opaque market and partner with someone capable of turning your goals into reality.

Transparency, Local Expertise and Customer Service

By paying particular attention to transaction transparency, local expertise, and customer service, you’ll discover how to select an agency that truly meets your expectations and guarantees you the best opportunities.

Identifying a Reputable Agency in Poland: Keys to Success

To identify a reputable real estate agency in Poland, several essential criteria must be considered:

Professional Accreditation and Regulatory Compliance

• Since the 2014 deregulation, practicing as a real estate agent no longer strictly requires an official license. However, it’s recommended to prioritize agencies whose agents hold a license or have specialized training (for example: license number displayed on the website or in email signatures).
• Serious agents adhere to professional standards and have thorough knowledge of local regulations regarding real estate sales and rentals.

Cost Transparency

• A reliable agency clearly details all fees associated with services provided: commissions, potential administrative fees, additional costs.
• Concrete example: some agencies apply a fixed fee system (not tied to purchase price), which limits any potential conflict of interest between agent and client.

Criterion	Expected Best Practice	Concrete Examples
Accreditation/License	Display of license number	“license number: 4277”
Pricing Transparency	Accessible fee schedule before commitment	Fixed compensation not linked to final price
Regulatory Compliance	Thorough knowledge of local law	Legal advice during purchase

Client Reviews and Local References

• Consulting client reviews on various specialized platforms helps assess reliability and local reputation. Recommended agencies typically have numerous positive reviews detailing their professionalism.
• Regular presence on recognized portals like otodom.pl or gratka.pl is also a positive indicator.

Effective Communication and Responsiveness

• A professional agent responds promptly to requests (emails, calls), provides all requested information without excessive delay.
• They actively support each step: quick organization of viewings, immediate transmission of necessary legal documents.

Indicative Checklist for Assessing Communication Effectiveness:

• Average time to receive initial response
• Writing quality in written exchanges
• Availability for in-person or virtual appointments

Knowledgeable Legal Advice

• The advisor’s role isn’t limited to commercial transactions; they should clearly explain to clients their rights/obligations and all legal consequences related to the planned operation.
• Some agents also offer personalized support with detailed analysis of the property’s legal file (cadastral verification, mortgage history…).

Key points highlighted:

Always choose an agency that clearly displays its professional accreditation,
offers complete transparency about its pricing,
and has authentic client reviews confirming its local reliability.
Ensure your contact has thorough mastery of the Polish legal framework
and remains available to effectively answer all your questions throughout the process.

In summary:

A reputable real estate agency in Poland stands out through its verifiable accreditation even though it’s no longer legally required since 2014, its absolute pricing transparency from first contact, its demonstrated reputation through credible client reviews, effective communication, and solid legal support throughout the real estate project.

Red Flags to Avoid When Selecting Real Estate Agents

Red Flags to Avoid When Selecting a Real Estate Agent in Poland

Criterion	Warning Sign	Concrete Example
Professional License	Absence of professional card, expired license, or lack of proof of ongoing training	An agent cannot present their license or professional card, or the validity date has expired.
Background and Reputation Check	No available information about the agent, legal history, or poor online reputation	The agent refuses to provide their license number or has no presence on recognized real estate portals.
Hidden Fees and Undisclosed Costs	Ambiguous contracts, additional fees announced late, absence of clear fee schedule	A client discovers, during final signing, administrative or commission fees not mentioned during viewings.
References and Testimonials	Refusal or inability to provide references, non-existent or predominantly negative client reviews	An agent cannot present any testimonials from previous clients, or those clients report questionable practices online.
Communication and Transparency	Vague, delayed responses, absence of written documentation, unkept promises	The agent delays answering questions, provides contradictory information, or never delivers promised documents.
Local Market Knowledge	Incorrect information about prices, neighborhoods, local legislation, or inability to answer specific questions	An agent overvalues a property by 30% compared to the local market or ignores specific notarial procedures in Poland.

Points to Watch For

• Adequate Professional License
  • To verify: Possession of a valid professional card and proof of ongoing training. In Poland, practicing without a license is prohibited and subject to penalties. An unlicensed agent cannot legally represent a client or guarantee transaction security.
  • Anecdote: A buyer lost their deposit because the agent wasn’t authorized to hold client funds.
• Background and Reputation Verification
  • To do: Consult professional registries, verify presence on recognized platforms, and search for client reviews.
  • Case study: A foreign investor fell victim to fraud because they didn’t verify the agent had been disbarred for misconduct.
• Dangers of Hidden Fees and Undisclosed Costs
  • To monitor: Contract clarity, existence of an official fee schedule, explicit mention of all fees.
  • Example: Some agents insert clauses for “management fees” or “support fees” not mentioned during initial viewings.
• Importance of References and Testimonials
  • To request: Contact information for recent clients, consultation of Google reviews or Polish real estate portals.
  • Anecdote: A tenant discovered the agent had multiple negative comments about unreturned security deposits.
• Indicators of Poor Communication or Transparency
  • To observe: Response speed, clarity of explanations, willingness to document everything in writing.
  • Example: An agent who never provides written summaries after viewings may be concealing important information.
• Warning Signs Related to Lack of Local Market Knowledge
  • To test: Ask specific questions about average prices, local trends, notarial and tax procedures.
  • Example: An agent lists properties significantly above market price or ignores the requirement for a notarial deed for sales.

Quick Verification Checklist Before Signing

• The agent possesses a valid license and can present it.
• Their identity and background are verifiable through official registries.
• The contract explicitly mentions all fees and commissions.
• Recent and authentic references are available.
• Communication is clear, responsive, and transparent.
• The agent demonstrates perfect mastery of the local market.

Important: A professional real estate agent should always be able to present their documents, answer your questions transparently, and anticipate procedures specific to the Polish market. If any doubt remains, it’s better to consult multiple agents before committing.

Absolutely avoid: Working with agents who refuse to document exchanges or demand cash payments without receipts.

Understanding the Power of Attorney Contract in Poland

A power of attorney contract in Poland is a legal agreement by which one person (the principal) entrusts another (the agent, often a real estate agency) with the task of performing legal acts on their behalf, such as selling, buying, or renting a property. This contract plays a central role in the Polish real estate sector by legally framing the relationships between owners and intermediaries.

Involved Parties and Obligations

Party	Role	Main Obligations
Principal	Property Owner	Provide all documents necessary for the transaction (plans, property titles…), guarantee accuracy of communicated information.
Agent	Real Estate Agency or Agent	Implement all useful steps for completing the operation: advertising, viewings, negotiation; report to the principal on actions taken; respect the principal’s instructions.

Specific Characteristics of the Polish Contract

• The power of attorney must be written to be valid.
• It must mention: the identity of the parties, the precise object of the mandate (sale/rental/management), detailed description of the property concerned, the envisaged price or method for setting the price, as well as the terms and amounts of fees.
• Legal obligations include notably respecting transparency about all financial and procedural conditions.
• This type of contract offers both parties legal protection: it formalizes their respective rights and duties and can serve as evidence in case of dispute.

Typical Duration, Renewal and Termination

The usual duration of a power of attorney contract in real estate ranges between 3 months and 1 year according to local practices.
Terms are generally:

• Automatic renewal if neither party notifies their contrary wish before expiration.
• Possible termination before term subject to respecting a contractual or legally fixed notice period; certain situations may justify immediate termination (serious fault).

Associated Costs and Common Fees

Fees typically appear as follows:

Average Fees by Type of Operation

Type	Percentage / Terms
Sale	2% to 3% ex VAT on final price
Rental	Approximately one month’s rent
Property Management	Approximately 5% to 10% annually

Fees are freely negotiable but must always be explicitly stated in the power of attorney.

Importance for Choosing Your Real Estate Agency

Understanding this type of contract is essential in order to:

• Clearly identify your rights regarding your agent;
• Avoid any abusive clause or unwanted commitment;
• Ensure all financial aspects are transparent;
• Limit any future litigation risk related to conditions or expected results.

Carefully reading every clause before signing remains essential for securing your real estate transaction in Poland.