Poland construction sector faces risks from spatial planning delays

Poland is facing potential paralysis in the construction and real estate sectors due to delays in implementing new general spatial management plans. Major cities, including Warsaw and Krakow, have yet to adopt these plans, which are required to issue building permits in areas not covered by existing local zoning. Eiffage Immobilier Polska President Tymon Nowosielski noted that Krakow is particularly behind, which could impact its attractiveness to investors.

Simultaneously, new regulations that replaced previous planning studies on September 1 have triggered legal disputes. Landowners are challenging municipal general plans that have designated their property as ‘open zones’ (SO), effectively prohibiting new construction on their land. Affected citizens have begun organizing online, sharing guides on how to legally contest these municipal decisions. As of September 2026, approximately 1,156 out of 2,479 municipalities have adopted these plans, leading to an increasing number of complaints regarding municipal planning authority.