Yes. Foreigners can legally inherit assets in Poland, including real estate, bank accounts, and other property. However, the rules may differ depending on the foreigner’s country of origin — for example, certain restrictions may apply to non-EU citizens, particularly concerning agricultural land. Inheritance is also subject to international private law and bilateral treaties. Professional legal guidance is strongly recommended to ensure a smooth and lawful transfer. Our lawyer offices specializes in providing assistance in such cases as well.

If the deceased was a foreigner or had ties to another country, the applicable law is determined by EU Regulation No. 650/2012 (Brussels IV). This regulation allows a person to choose the law of their nationality in their will. If no choice is made, the law of the country of habitual residence at the time of death applies.

There are two main ways to confirm inheritance:

A court decision (confirmation of inheritance)

A notarial deed of inheritance (faster, if all heirs agree)

Once inheritance is confirmed, heirs must fulfill any tax obligations and register their rights to real estate or other assets.

With the assistance of law firms, simple, uncontested inheritance cases can be completed in a few weeks to several months. If there are disputes, missing documents, or foreign elements involved, the process may take longer — especially when coordination with foreign authorities is needed.

No. In most cases, you can authorize a lawyer to act on your behalf via power of attorney. As a law firm in Poland, we assist clients from around the world and handle the entire process remotely, including communication with courts, notaries, tax offices, and land registries

Yes. Poland has an inheritance tax system based on:

The value of the estate, and

The heir’s relationship to the deceased

Close family members (spouses, children, parents) are usually fully exempt, but they must complete the required paperwork within a strict deadline. Distant relatives or unrelated heirs may be taxed up to 20%.

Heirs inherit both assets and liabilities. Polish law gives heirs three options:

• Accept the inheritance in full
• Accept it with limited liability (beneficium inventarii – up to the estate’s value)
• Reject the inheritance entirely

This decision must be made within six months of learning about the inheritance.

Yes. Non-EU citizens can inherit real estate and other assets in Poland. However, inheritance of certain types of real estate (especially agricultural land) may require notification to or approval by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. In most urban cases, no special permit is required.

Yes. According to EU Regulation No. 650/2012, any person can choose the law of their nationality to govern the succession of their estate. This should be clearly stated in a valid will.

Required documents typically include:

• Death certificate
• Will, if applicable
• Proof of identity of heirs
• Documents confirming family relationship
• Property records (land registry extracts, bank statements, etc.)

Foreign documents must usually be translated into Polish and legalized with an apostille or through consular authentication.

Yes. We specialize in international inheritance and succession law. As a law firm, we help clients from around the world with

• Court and notarial proceedings
• Property and asset recovery
• Tax registration and declaration
• Communication with Polish authorities

We act as your legal representative throughout the process, keeping you informed every step of the way.

Like many law firms in Poland, we primarily use an hourly billing model, ensuring transparency and fairness based on the actual time spent on your case. In certain well-defined matters, we may agree on a flat fee.

Additionally, for inheritance cases involving asset recovery, we may offer a partial success-based fee structure — meaning part of our compensation is linked to successfully securing your inheritance. All terms are agreed upon in advance and confirmed in writing.

To get in touch with an attorney from our law firm, the best way is to book an initial consultation directly through our website You can choose a convenient time, and we will evaluate your situation, answer your questions, and explain possible legal solutions — all in a secure and confidential setting.