New Rules for Renting Housing in Poland: What Requirements Must Apartment Owners Meet?

New requirements have taken effect in Poland for property owners who rent out apartments, condos, or rooms on a short-term basis. From now on, landlords must install special safety sensors, and violations of the rules can result in a fine of up to 30,000 zlotys. Find out who is affected by these changes, what requirements must be met, and how to avoid liability

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As of June 30, 2026, new fire safety regulations for owners of short-term rental properties came into effect in Poland. These regulations apply not only to hotels and guesthouses but also to private landlords who list their apartments or rooms on platforms such as Airbnb or Booking.com. The main goal of the changes is to improve safety for tourists and reduce the risk of fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.

The new requirements mandate the installation of standalone smoke detectors and, in certain cases, carbon monoxide detectors as well. Significant penalties are in place for non-compliance: ranging from a fine of up to 5,000 zlotys to a court-imposed penalty of up to 30,000 zlotys (nearly 7,500–8,000 U.S. dollars, depending on the exchange rate), as well as other liability measures. Additionally, violations may affect a landlord’s ability to receive insurance compensation in the event of an emergency.

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New Rules for Landlords in Poland: What Has Changed as of June 30, 2026

As of June 30, 2026, new fire safety requirements for properties used for short-term stays came into effect in Poland. These are aimed at improving safety for tourists and residents, as well as reducing the number of fires and carbon monoxide poisoning incidents. The new regulations are mandatory for anyone renting out short-term accommodations, regardless of whether the owner operates as a private individual or through a business.

First and foremost, the changes apply to apartments, condos, and rooms rented by the day or for several days through popular booking services, such as Airbnb and Booking.com. While many private landlords were previously exempt from such strict requirements, uniform safety standards have now been established for them, similar to those that have long been in place for certain types of tourist accommodations.

One of the main new requirements is the mandatory installation of standalone smoke detectors. If the premises contain equipment that runs on gas, liquid, or solid fuel (such as a gas boiler, water heater, or fireplace), the owner is also required to install a carbon monoxide detector. However, a separate smoke detector is not required if the building is already equipped with a stationary fire alarm system or an automatic fire suppression system.

The new requirements apply not only to new accommodations. For existing apartments and units rented to tourists, there is also an obligation to bring the living space into compliance with the regulations. However, owners of private homes and apartments who use the property exclusively for their own residence must install the detectors only by January 1, 2030.

In addition to the mere installation of the equipment, the law also sets requirements for its quality. The detectors must comply with current Polish technical standards; therefore, using the cheapest devices without the necessary certification may be considered a violation of the law.

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Who is affected by the new requirements?

The new rules cover a much wider range of property owners than might appear at first glance. They apply not only to hotels or guesthouses but also to private individuals who rent out accommodations to tourists on a short-term basis through online platforms or independently. The goal of these changes is to establish uniform safety standards for all lodging facilities, regardless of ownership status.

The new requirements apply to:

- Apartments rented on a daily basis

- Tourist apartments

- Individual rooms offered for short-term rent

- Vacation homes

- Other properties used as temporary accommodations for guests

In practice, this means that the rules also apply to homeowners who rent out their properties through popular booking services, such as Airbnb, Booking.com, and similar platforms. If a property is used for short-term tourist stays, it must comply with the new fire safety standards regardless of the number of bookings throughout the year.

At the same time, the law provides an exception for ordinary residential buildings and apartments that are not used for commercial rentals. If the owner lives in their home permanently and does not rent it out to tourists, smoke detectors must be installed only as of January 1, 2030. Thus, the government has granted a multi-year transition period for private households, while the short-term rental sector must comply with the new requirements immediately.

The introduction of uniform rules for all market participants is part of broader changes aimed at increasing transparency in Poland’s tourism sector. The authorities are gradually tightening controls on short-term rentals to ensure safe living conditions for guests and uniform requirements for all property owners.

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What fines are imposed for violating the new rules?

Polish authorities emphasize that the new requirements are mandatory. If an inspection reveals that a property owner has failed to comply with established fire safety standards, they may face not only administrative sanctions but also criminal liability.

The severity of the penalty depends on the nature of the violation and the decision of the competent authorities. The law provides for:

- A fine of up to 5,000 Polish zlotys as part of administrative proceedings

- If the case is referred to court—a fine of up to 30,000 zlotys (approximately 7,000–8,000 U.S. dollars or 6,500–7,000 euros, depending on the current exchange rate)

- The possibility of other liability measures being applied in accordance with Polish law

At the same time, financial sanctions are not the only risk for landlords. If the required detectors are not installed in the property, serious issues with the insurance company may arise in the event of a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. The absence of necessary safety measures may serve as grounds for reducing or even denying insurance compensation if a violation of the established requirements is proven.

Polish authorities are urging property owners not to delay compliance with the new regulations. The cost of standalone smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is incomparably lower than potential fines or damages, and most importantly, these devices can provide timely warnings of danger and save the lives of residents and guests. In countries where such systems have long been mandatory, the mortality rate from fires and carbon monoxide poisoning is significantly lower.

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What do landlords need to do to avoid fines?

Property owners who rent out apartments, condos, or rooms on a short-term basis should not wait for inspections. If a property falls under the new requirements, it must be brought into compliance with current fire safety regulations. This will not only help avoid substantial fines but also increase the level of protection for guests and the property itself.

Before starting or continuing to rent out a property, it’s important to take several mandatory steps:

- Install a standalone smoke detector in the unit if one isn’t already present

- Install a carbon monoxide detector if the apartment or house uses a gas boiler, water heater, fireplace, stove, or other equipment that runs on gas, liquid, or solid fuel

- Ensure that the devices comply with Polish technical standards and are properly installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations

- Regularly check the detectors’ functionality and promptly replace the batteries or the devices themselves once their service life has expired

Special attention should be paid to properties listed on Airbnb, Booking.com, and other booking platforms. The mere fact that an apartment is rented to tourists only a few times a year does not exempt the owner from complying with the new requirements. If a property is used for short-term rentals, it must meet established safety standards.

The introduction of these new rules is part of Poland’s overall policy to improve the safety of its housing stock. According to the Polish Fire Service, several hundred people die in fires in the country each year, and the timely activation of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors significantly increases the chances of a safe evacuation. That is why the authorities are gradually making such devices mandatory for an increasing number of buildings.

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