Thursday, 25 June 2026
The Polish government has taken the first step toward introducing new rules for the country’s real estate brokerage industry, advancing a legislative proposal aimed at increasing transparency, strengthening consumer safeguards and improving standards across the residential property market.
The draft legislation has been added to the government’s legislative agenda, formally launching the process that could lead to significant changes in how brokerage services are provided and supervised. The proposal remains at an early stage and will still require consultation, regulatory review and parliamentary approval before any new measures can take effect.
The planned reforms are designed to address concerns surrounding consumer protection during property transactions, which are often among the largest financial commitments made by households. Officials argue that greater clarity regarding the responsibilities of brokers and the services they provide would improve confidence in the market and reduce the risk of disputes.
Among the proposed changes is the introduction of clearer obligations for brokers when handling property transactions. Real estate professionals would be required to conduct more comprehensive checks of properties before bringing them to market, ensuring that key legal and factual information has been properly reviewed.
The government is also seeking to address potential conflicts of interest within the brokerage process. One of the measures under consideration would prevent brokers from receiving remuneration from both parties involved in the same transaction, a practice that has generated debate within the industry in recent years.
Marketing practices are another focus of the proposed legislation. The draft aims to establish clearer rules governing property advertisements, including requirements regarding the source of listings and the relationship between brokers and property owners. The objective is to improve transparency for buyers and sellers by making it easier to understand who is responsible for a particular offer.
The reforms would also expand the supervisory powers of consumer protection authorities. Regulators would be given broader authority to examine whether brokerage firms are complying with legal requirements, properly informing clients about services and adhering to professional standards. Financial penalties could be imposed in cases where violations are identified.
Industry observers note that the proposal represents one of the most significant attempts to reshape Poland’s brokerage market since the sector was substantially liberalised more than a decade ago. Unlike some Western European countries, where real estate professionals are subject to licensing systems and formal qualification requirements, the Polish proposal focuses primarily on market conduct, transparency and consumer protection.
The initiative also reflects broader developments across Europe, where regulators have increasingly focused on improving transparency in residential property transactions. Several countries have introduced reforms in recent years aimed at clarifying commission structures, strengthening disclosure requirements and improving protections for buyers and sellers.
For Poland’s residential market, the legislation could lead to changes in agency business models, advertising practices and client relationships. Supporters argue that the measures will improve trust and professionalism across the sector, while critics may raise concerns about additional compliance obligations and operational costs.
As the draft moves through the legislative process, it is expected to generate considerable discussion among brokers, developers, consumer organisations and property market participants. The outcome could influence not only how brokerage services are delivered, but also how residential transactions are conducted across one of Central Europe’s largest housing markets.
