How to choose a Russian-speaking property agent abroad

Many Russian-, Ukrainian- and Belarusian-speaking residents of Poland look for an agent who speaks their language when they buy abroad. That is a sensible wish: a contract you fully understand is safer than one you half understand. But language is only one thing an agent offers, and it says nothing about licence, honesty or legal competence. This guide is neutral and applies to any agent, including us. It is informational and not legal advice.

Three different players

People say "agent" for three different roles, and they are paid differently.

• An independent estate agent. Usually licensed locally, lists properties from many owners and is paid a commission, normally by the seller, sometimes also by the buyer. Ask in writing who pays.
• A developer's sales representative. Works for the developer and is paid by the developer. Their job is to sell that developer's units. This is not wrong, but they are not your adviser and will not compare the project with a better one across the road.
• A platform or intermediary. Introduces buyers to properties and to local professionals. Such a service may charge the buyer, the seller or the developer, or earn a referral fee. Ask how it is paid; the answer is part of the conflict-of-interest picture.

None of these is a lawyer. The person who protects you in the transaction is a lawyer you hire, who checks title and contract and works for you only.

Licence and register: what to check

Rules differ widely, so do not assume that a licence exists everywhere.

• Cyprus: agents must be registered with the Real Estate Agents Registration Council and hold a licence; the official business portal explains the regime and you can ask for the registration number and check it. See the official Cyprus business portal. The authorities have also warned the public about unlicensed agents.
• Portugal: estate agencies need an AMI licence issued by IMPIC, whose number must appear on websites and adverts. Verify it on the IMPIC website.
• Dubai: a broker should hold a RERA Broker Registration Number, and an advertisement should carry a Trakheesi permit number that can be verified in the Dubai REST app; see the Dubai Land Department.
• Bulgaria: sources we found in 2026 say there is no dedicated licensing law for brokers, though other sources claim otherwise. This is why a written contract and a lawyer matter more there.
• Spain, Greece, Montenegro, Georgia, Turkey: we did not verify the current register for each. Ask your lawyer what exists and where it is published.

A licence number proves registration, not quality. But an agent who cannot or will not give a number is a reason to stop.

Conflict of interest

A seller-side commission is not a scandal; it is how most markets work. The problem is when you think the agent is on your side and they are not. Ask directly: who pays you, how much, and do you also represent the seller or the developer? If the same person advises you on the price and is paid a percentage of it, they have an incentive to see the deal close at a higher price. A fixed fee does not remove all conflict, but it is easier to understand.

Language is not legal competence

A Russian-speaking agent can be an excellent interpreter and explain how things work locally. They should not give you legal conclusions about title, tax or residence. Documents are in the local language, and the legally binding version may be only that one; ask for a certified translation, see certified translations for property abroad. Ask who exactly checks the title, and in whose name the check is made. See also notary or lawyer: who do you need abroad.

Written agreements

Do not rely on messenger promises. Before you pay anything, you should have in writing: the agent's full company name and licence number; the scope of the service; the commission, who pays it, and when; what happens to a reservation deposit if due diligence fails; and which language version prevails. Never pay a deposit to a personal account and never in cash; pay only to the account named in the contract, from your own account.

Red flags

• Guaranteed returns or guaranteed buy-back; see guaranteed returns and too-good-to-be-true offers.
• Pressure to reserve today because "only two units are left".
• No licence number, or a number that does not match the company name in the register.
• Refusal to let your lawyer see the documents, or insistence on using their lawyer.
• Payments to an account in another country or the name of a different company.
• Reviews that all appeared in one week, or names of clients that cannot be traced. See the most common property scams abroad.

How to check reviews

Look for reviews on several independent sites and in the local-language press, not only on the agent's own website. A review that gives a specific, checkable detail (the street, the dates, what went wrong and how it was fixed) is worth more than a row of five-star ratings. Ask the agent for a client you can talk to, accepting that they may refuse for privacy. Search the company name with words such as "complaint" in each language. Check the company register for age, ownership and insolvency.

Questions to ask

• What is your licence or registration number, and where can I check it?
• Who pays you, and how much? Do you represent the seller or developer?
• Will you give me the commission terms in writing?
• Which lawyer do you suggest, and may I choose my own?
• What do I get back if the checks fail?
• What are the full buying costs, line by line?

FAQ

Is a Russian-speaking agent more trustworthy? Not automatically. Shared language is useful, but check the licence and the contract in the same way as for any agent. Should I pay the agent a fee in advance? Be careful; pay a reservation deposit only to the account named in a written contract, and ask what is refundable. Can the agent also be my lawyer? Avoid it: the agent is paid on the sale, and a lawyer must be independent. Is a developer's representative a bad choice? No, but remember who pays them. Can I do it without an agent? Yes, with a lawyer; see buying property abroad remotely for what that involves.

How we help

D.H. Realting is a trilingual (Russian, English, Polish) platform that introduces buyers to properties and coordinates independent local lawyers and tax advisers. We do not give legal advice and we do not guarantee results or returns; ask us how we are paid in each case, as you should ask anyone. This text is informational and is not legal, tax or investment advice; verify current rules and registers.