15:32 22 December 2025
Municipalities race to prepare for new regulation on housing permits
Only about one-third of Polish municipalities have drafted a general zoning plan (plan ogólny), a new strategic document required by mid-2026. Without it, municipalities will be unable to issue building conditions decisions (so-called "wuzetki"), risking a near-complete freeze on new housing developments – especially in areas not covered by local plans, which make up two-thirds of the country. The law, introduced in 2023, was delayed to June 30, 2026, but few municipalities have completed the process. Legal and staffing challenges, especially a shortage of planners, are major causes.
Some municipalities, like Pyskowice and Tychy, had their plans rejected or legally challenged. Experts warn of potential planning paralysis and advocate for further deadline extensions.
