Where to buy abroad by passport: residents of Poland

There is no single best country. For a Russian-speaking person living in Poland, the practical answer depends on which passport they carry and which status they hold in Poland. This guide compares four profiles: an EU permanent resident or Polish citizen, a Ukrainian passport, a Belarusian passport and a Russian passport. It is deliberately cautious. Entry, residence and banking rules for these passports change often, and the sources we could check were mostly aggregators that sometimes disagree. Treat everything below as a map for your questions to the embassy, the bank and a local lawyer, not as a conclusion. It is informational, not legal or tax advice.

The four profiles

• EU status (a Polish citizen or an EU long-term resident): usually the widest freedom in the EU and the fewest questions from banks.
• Ukrainian passport with legal residence in Poland: broad visa-free access in many places, but a currency-control layer on the Ukrainian side. See the Ukrainian guide.
• Belarusian passport with legal residence in Poland: EU measures on Belarus, stricter bank screening and passport-renewal problems. See the Belarusian guide.
• Russian passport with legal residence in Poland: the most restricted, because of EU sanctions, entry limits and bank attitudes. See buying property abroad with Russian citizenship: country restrictions and source-of-funds checks.

Georgia

Georgia is often the easiest non-EU destination for all four profiles on the entry side: sources report long visa-free stays for many CIS passports, including Ukrainian and Belarusian ones, and Georgian rules generally allow foreigners to own most property. The practical hurdle is the bank account, where policies differ by bank and passport. See Georgia residence permit through property and the Georgia guide. Verify entry terms for your exact passport.

Montenegro

Montenegro has been a common choice for Russian-speakers, and foreigners can generally buy property. Entry terms for Belarusian and other passports are time-limited by government decree: Belarusians were reported to have 30 days visa-free only until 31 October 2026. A residence permit linked to property exists but rules are tightened from time to time. Banking can be slow for non-EU passports. See Montenegro residence through property.

Turkey

Turkey is open to foreign buyers in most areas, but there are restrictions in military and some border zones, and its entry rules differ by passport. We could not confirm the current Belarusian rule. Banks and the land registry will ask for tax numbers and proof of funds. Check entry rules for your passport before booking.

Thailand

Condo ownership by foreigners is possible; land ownership is not in the same way. Short visa-free stays are reported for several of these passports but durations change, and long stays need a separate visa. See Thailand visa options. A purchase does not give a right to stay.

UAE

The UAE is reported to allow short visa-free stays for several of these passports. Property ownership by foreigners is allowed in designated areas. Banks apply enhanced checks to some nationalities, and for a Russian passport they can be stricter. Payments should go only to a regulated escrow account for off-plan projects. See the UAE guide.

Cyprus

Cyprus is an EU member, so an EU-status buyer faces the fewest barriers. For other passports, sources conflict on short-stay rules, and the Republic applies restrictions of its own; property purchase by non-EU buyers needs a permit procedure. Banks are cautious with some passports. Check first. See the Cyprus guide.

Bulgaria and Greece

Both are EU and Schengen countries. An EU-status buyer buys on largely local terms, though Bulgaria and Greece have conditions for non-EU buyers (for land, border areas or tax rates). A holder of a Polish residence document is not an EU citizen and should ask which rules apply. For Ukrainian, Belarusian and Russian passports, entry is a Schengen matter and depends on the document held; Russians face extra limits. Banks may need extra evidence of source of funds. See the Greece guide.

How to read this comparison

• Entry is not residence. A visa-free stay does not allow long-term living and a purchase does not create a right to stay.
• Bank access often decides the project. Ask a bank about your passport before you sign a reservation.
• Easiest for most profiles tends to be Georgia and Montenegro on entry; easiest for EU-status buyers on every count is the EU. Hardest tends to be anything that needs a long bank onboarding for a Russian passport.
• Sanctions are lawful-compliance questions, not obstacles to hide. See bank questions when moving large sums.

FAQ

Which country is best for a Ukrainian living in Poland? There is no single best; Georgia, Montenegro, Bulgaria and Cyprus are commonly considered, with entry rules to be confirmed.

And for a Belarusian? The same shortlist, with extra attention to passport validity and bank screening.

And for a Russian passport holder? Check the restrictions article first; many options are limited.

Does an EU permanent residence card change things? It can ease banking and entry in the EU, but not automatically property rights in every country.

How current is this page? Rules change; confirm with embassies, banks and a local lawyer.

How we help

We are a trilingual platform that finds properties and coordinates independent local lawyers and tax advisers, and we follow sanctions and anti-money-laundering rules. This text is informational and is not legal, tax or investment advice; verify current rules. Use our country comparison to build a shortlist.