What should I check before buying property?

Before buying, you should establish the legal status of the property and negotiate terms of the sale agreement that properly protect you as the buyer.

Can a foreigner buy property in Poland?

Yes. Citizens and companies from the European Economic Area and Switzerland generally do not need a permit. Other foreigners in many cases have to obtain a permit from the minister responsible for internal affairs.

What can I do if the contractor is behind schedule?

Pursuing claims against a contractor is a multi-stage process that needs proper preparation. Success in court often depends on securing, early on, the evidence that will later be examined in the proceedings.

How long does legal due diligence of a property take?

From a few days to several months, depending on how complex the legal status is. It often requires certificates from public authorities.

Real Estate & Construction Lawyers in Kraków, Poland

Real estate and construction

We help you buy, sell, let, lease and develop property in Poland safely. We start by checking the legal status of the property, negotiate the agreements and, on development projects, stay with you from the zoning decision to handover and final settlement with contractors.

How we help

Legal due diligence of property

We review the land and mortgage register, encumbrances, easements and third-party claims. We check the zoning designation in the local plan, access to a public road and whether the actual state of the property matches the documents. You receive a report listing the risks and how to limit them in the agreement.

Purchase, sale and lease agreements

We draft and negotiate preliminary agreements, sale agreements and rental and lease agreements (najem and dzierżawa) for premises, offices, industrial and warehouse buildings, and land. We take care of the safeguards: deadlines, contractual penalties, guarantees, conditions for withdrawal from the agreement and settlement of expenditure.

The development process

We support investors at the stage of zoning decisions, building permits and agreements with the general contractor and subcontractors. We keep an eye on the payment schedule, performance security and the acceptance procedure.

Contractor disputes and construction accounts

We represent clients in disputes over delays, defects, contractual penalties, remuneration and additional works. We also advise on the investor’s liability for payments to subcontractors.

Who we work for

Investors and developers of residential and commercial buildings.
Companies buying or renting offices, retail premises, warehouses and production halls.
Foreign investors who need advice in English or German.
Private individuals buying, selling, renting or leasing a flat, a house or a plot of land.

How we work

A conversation about the purpose of the transaction or project, and collecting the documents.
Analysis of the legal status and a written list of risks.
A draft agreement or negotiating position, and taking part in the negotiations.
Support at the signing of agreements and notarial deeds, including preliminary, developer, sale and lease agreements.
Legal support after the transaction: attending handovers, helping you pursue claims and assisting in court proceedings.