Buying property in Warsaw: what you need to know before you start

Recent market figures for Warsaw, the neighbourhoods to buy in depending on your plan, the steps of a purchase and the pitfalls to avoid.

The Remoters editorial team

Published on

1 August 2023

Updated on

6 October 2026

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A property purchase in Warsaw is now being prepared in a steadily rising market. According to the Polish statistics office (GUS), home prices rose 6.3% over one year in Poland in the second quarter of 2026, and 7.5% in the Masovian voivodeship, which includes Warsaw. That is clearly more than the euro area average (+4.0% according to Eurostat).

For a foreign buyer, the Polish capital offers a deep market, with new-build and older properties and very different neighbourhoods, from the historic centre to the residential areas of the south. The process goes through a notarised deed, and a few checks avoid most unpleasant surprises.

This article reviews the recent market figures, the neighbourhoods to search in depending on your plan, the steps of a purchase and the points to watch.

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Prices in Warsaw: what the figures say

GUS publishes a quarterly home price index based on transactions. For the second quarter of 2026, published on 1 October:

Poland: +1.5% over one quarter and +6.3% over one year
New-build market: +6.5% over one year
Resale market: +6.1% over one year
Masovian voivodeship (Warsaw and its region): +1.0% over one quarter and +7.5% over one year

The increase is slowing from one quarter to the next in Masovia, but remains above the national average over one year. Eurostat confirms the trend: with +6.3% over one year in the second quarter of 2026, Poland is rising faster than the European Union average (+4.7%).

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Where to buy in Warsaw

Śródmieście: the centre

The historic and commercial centre, this is the most expensive area, ideal for living without a car. It has older buildings as well as recent developments, and rental demand is strongest here.

Mokotów: residential and green

South of the centre, Mokotów is residential and leafy, popular with families and expats. It is often a good compromise for a main residence.

Wola: the business district

To the west, Wola has become the city's new office hub, with recent towers and good metro service. There are many new-build developments.

Żoliborz: quiet, in the north

A village atmosphere, cafés and local markets: Żoliborz appeals to those who want peace and quiet near the centre.

Praga-Północ: the east bank

On the right bank of the Vistula, Praga-Północ is in full transformation, with more affordable rents and prices and an active arts scene. It is the neighbourhood to look at if your budget is tight, accepting an environment that is still uneven depending on the street.

Ochota, Ursynów and Wilanów

Ochota, close to universities and medical institutions, has strong rental demand. Further south, Ursynów and Wilanów are residential and quiet, suited to families.

The steps of a purchase

Define the project: main residence, pied-à-terre or rental property. The choice of neighborhood and type of property follows from it.
Check the land registry (księga wieczysta): owner, mortgages, easements. It is the main protection against the sale of a property by someone who has no right to sell it.
Sign a preliminary contract: it sets the price, the deposit and the date of the deed. Have it reviewed before paying anything.
Sign the final deed at the notary: a notarial deed is mandatory. The notary collects the tax on civil law transactions (PCC) owed by the buyer and passes it on to the tax authority.

On new builds, the sale is in principle subject to VAT rather than PCC, with exceptions for certain home purchases: have the notary calculate all the costs before you commit. If you are not a national of the European Economic Area, also ask them whether your purchase requires an administrative authorization.

Pitfalls to avoid

The floor area: compare the advertised area with that in the official documents and measure if needed.
Condominium fees: ask for the actual amounts and the minutes of the last meetings, as well as the works voted.
The condition of the building: on an older property, have the structure, the electrics and damp inspected before the preliminary contract.
The deposit: never pay a deposit before checking the land registry.

What if you plan to rent it out?

In Warsaw, a studio rents for between 2,500 and 3,400 PLN per month, a one-bedroom apartment between 3,500 and 4,200 PLN, a two-room apartment between 3,500 and 4,300 PLN, with the central neighborhoods being the most expensive. Demand is particularly strong near the metro, notably in the center, in Ochota and in Wola. On top of these rents come service charges, and the deposit is generally one to two months' rent.

If you are preparing a purchase in Warsaw from abroad, Remoters puts you in touch with a home finder based locally, who searches for you, visits properties, helps you put together the file and reviews the documents before signing. The first conversation and the quote are free.