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Construction Law Changes Raise Legalization and Planning Concerns

The government has adopted a change in the Construction Act to facilitate builders' work in Poland. While many of the planned changes are likely to streamline the building process, some of the changes — most notably the increased ability to legalize illegal buildings — have drawn complaints. “New regulations may hurt spatial planning,” says expert Aleksander Maziarz from ALK.

By Oskar Malec | Last Updated: 12 Jun 2025

New Tools to Make Illegal Construction Legal
Two new legal avenues for people who have violated construction rules are one of the most significant aspects of the amendment. One is the creation of a so-called yellow card, which would apply to investors who halted work on a project. This card would provide a means of legalizing construction violations while the work is being done, thus providing a way around more serious punishment.

The second big change creates a new process for legalizing illegal construction that was built years ago. This would provide a fresh opportunity for property owners who had improperly built without permits in the past to make their properties legal.

Warnings on Protocol and Legal Risk
As these new pathways emerge, they are not only providing light at the end of the tunnel for long-entrenched hurdles but also sparking questions among experts. According to Aleksander Maziarz, such developments may disturb spatial order and establish a dangerous precedent of rewarding those breaking the law.

He stresses the importance of simple law, but not at the expense of the stability of planning and the certainty of the legal position.

Yet, as the Sejm readies to consider the amendment, debate rages as to whether these fixes will solve issues, or generate new problems in the future.

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