In Polish: Umowa przedwstępna
This is the word you will see in bank documents.
Definition
A preliminary agreement (umowa przedwstępna) is a contract in which the buyer and seller undertake to conclude the sale agreement in the future, called the promised agreement (Article 389 of the Polish Civil Code). It must state the essential terms: the parties, the property and the price. For a mortgage the bank needs it for the application, because it finances a specific property.
What it means for you
The preliminary agreement sets the deadline by which you must have the loan and decides what happens to the deposit if the bank refuses. Too short a deadline or no loan clause is the most common reason for losing the deposit. Notarial form gives stronger protection if the seller backs out.
Full entry in Polish, with a worked example and sources
Frequently asked questions
Must the preliminary agreement be signed before a notary?
No, written form is valid. Only a notarial agreement, however, lets you demand in court that the sale agreement be concluded.
What deadline should a preliminary agreement give for a mortgage?
At least 6–8 weeks from signing, longer with harder-to-assess income or legal status, ideally with automatic extension. Foreign applicants often need more time, so plan 8–10 weeks.
What if the preliminary agreement has no deadline?
The entitled party sets it. If nobody does so within a year of the preliminary agreement, conclusion of the promised agreement can no longer be demanded (Article 389 § 2 of the Civil Code).
Related terms
Definitions are simplified and reflect Polish law and bank practice as of October 2026. Where every word matters, the Act and your loan agreement decide. Figures in examples are indicative and are not a bank offer. The Polish version of each entry has worked examples and sources.
Other terms in “Application, decision and documents”