Introduction
If you are a foreigner living or doing business in Poland, there is a good chance you will eventually need to visit a notary. Whether you are buying an apartment, granting power of attorney, or setting up a company, many legal transactions in Poland must be executed as a notarial deed (akt notarialny). And here is the part that catches many people off guard: if you do not speak Polish, you are legally required to have a sworn interpreter present at the appointment.
This is not a formality or a suggestion. Without a sworn interpreter, the notary cannot proceed, and any deed signed without one would be legally void. I have worked as a sworn translator and interpreter in Wroclaw since 2009, and I have attended hundreds of notary appointments alongside foreigners. In this guide, I will walk you through everything you need to know — why the interpreter is required, what actually happens at the appointment, and how you can prepare to make the process as smooth as possible.
Why You Need a Sworn Interpreter at a Notary in Poland
All notarial deeds in Poland are drafted and executed in Polish. There are no exceptions to this rule. During the appointment, the notary reads the entire deed aloud in Polish — word for word, from start to finish. This oral reading is a legal requirement, not just a courtesy.
If you do not understand Polish, you cannot legally give informed consent to what you are signing. This is where a sworn interpreter steps in. The interpreter provides real-time oral translation of the deed so that you understand every clause, every obligation, and every legal consequence before you put your signature on the document.
Crucially, only a sworn interpreter (tlumacz przysiegly) registered with the Polish Ministry of Justice can serve this role. A bilingual friend, a colleague who speaks both languages, or even a professional translator who is not sworn — none of these are acceptable. The notary will verify the interpreter's credentials before starting the appointment, and the interpreter's name and registration number are recorded in the deed itself.
This requirement is grounded in the Prawo o notariacie (Law on Notaries) and the Ustawa o zawodzie tlumacza przysieglego (Act on the Profession of Sworn Translator). These laws exist to protect you — ensuring that no one signs a binding legal document without fully understanding its contents.
When You Need a Sworn Interpreter at a Notary
Not every interaction with a notary requires the full notarial deed format, but most significant legal transactions do. Here are the most common situations where foreigners in Poland need a sworn interpreter at a notary office:
- Buying or selling property — whether it is an apartment, a house, or a plot of land, all real estate transactions in Poland must be executed as notarial deeds
- Signing a mortgage agreement — if you are financing a property purchase through a Polish bank, the mortgage deed is typically signed at the notary at the same time as the sale
- Granting or receiving power of attorney (pelnomocnictwo) — authorizing someone to act on your behalf for legal, financial, or administrative matters
- Company formation or amendment of articles of association — establishing a spolka z o.o. (limited liability company) or changing its founding documents
- Lease agreements requiring notarization — some commercial leases or rental agreements with a voluntary submission to enforcement clause require notarial form
- Prenuptial agreements — marital property agreements (intercyza) must be executed before a notary. If you are planning to get married in Poland as a foreigner, this is worth knowing about in advance
In each of these cases, if you do not speak Polish, the notary will not proceed without a sworn interpreter. It is best to arrange the interpreter before scheduling the notary appointment, not the other way around.
What Happens at the Notary Appointment
If you have never attended a notarial appointment in Poland — especially with an interpreter — the process can feel unfamiliar. Here is what to expect, step by step:
- You arrive at the notary's office with the interpreter. The notary verifies everyone's identity. You will need your passport. The interpreter presents their sworn interpreter credentials and ID.
- The notary reads the deed aloud in Polish. This is done in full, from the first paragraph to the last. The reading is a legal requirement and cannot be skipped or abbreviated.
- The interpreter provides sight translation into English, section by section. As the notary reads each section, the interpreter translates it orally for you. This is a specialized skill — the interpreter is reading Polish legal text and producing fluent English in real time.
- The interpreter explains legal concepts and terminology. Polish legal terms do not always have direct English equivalents. A good interpreter will not just translate the words but ensure you understand the legal meaning behind them.
- You can ask questions at any point. If something is unclear, you stop and ask. The interpreter relays your question to the notary in Polish, then translates the notary's answer back to you. Do not hesitate to ask — this is your right and the entire reason the interpreter is there.
- Once you are satisfied, you sign every page of the deed. In Poland, each page of a notarial deed is signed or initialled by all parties. This can take a few minutes for longer documents.
- The interpreter also signs the deed. The interpreter's signature confirms their presence and their role in the proceedings. Their name and Ministry of Justice registration number are recorded in the document.
One important thing to keep in mind: expect the appointment to take roughly twice as long as it would for a Polish speaker. A property purchase deed that might take 40 minutes for Polish parties can easily take 90 minutes or more with interpretation. This is completely normal. The extra time is spent ensuring you fully understand what you are agreeing to.
How to Prepare for a Notary Appointment with an Interpreter
A little preparation goes a long way. Here are my practical recommendations based on years of attending notary appointments alongside clients:
- Book the interpreter well in advance. For property transactions, I recommend reaching out at least one to two weeks before the planned appointment. For simpler documents like a power of attorney, a few days' notice is usually sufficient — but earlier is always better.
- Ask the notary to send the draft deed to your interpreter beforehand. This is the single most important thing you can do to improve the quality of the interpretation. When I receive the draft in advance, I can review the terminology, research any unusual clauses, and prepare explanations for complex legal concepts. The difference between a prepared and unprepared interpreter is significant.
- Bring your passport. The notary will verify your identity. If you have a PESEL number (Polish personal identification number) or NIP (tax identification number), bring documentation of these as well.
- For property purchases, bring proof of payment and your tax ID. The notary will need to record how the purchase price was paid (bank transfer reference, etc.) and your tax identification details.
- Allow extra time in your schedule. As mentioned above, interpreted appointments take longer. Do not schedule a meeting immediately after your notary appointment. I have seen clients become stressed and rush through the process because they had another commitment — this defeats the purpose of having an interpreter.
- Prepare a list of questions in advance. If there are any clauses you already know you want to discuss, write them down. It is much easier to address these systematically than to try to remember them during the reading.
Costs
The interpreter's fee for attending a notary appointment is separate from the notary's own fees. The notary charges for the deed itself (based on the transaction value for property purchases), while the interpreter charges for the time and expertise involved in the interpretation.
The exact cost depends on several factors: the type and complexity of the document, the length of the appointment, and whether advance preparation is needed (e.g., reviewing a draft deed). A straightforward power of attorney will cost less than a complex property transaction with a mortgage.
Rather than quoting a one-size-fits-all price, I prefer to give you an accurate quote once I understand the specifics of your situation. Feel free to get in touch with a brief description of what you need, and I will respond with a quote, usually within 30 minutes during business hours. My office is located at Ruska 41/42 in Wroclaw, in the heart of the city centre.
Notary Interpretation in Wroclaw
Wroclaw has one of the largest and fastest-growing expat communities in Poland, driven by the city's thriving IT sector and the presence of numerous international companies. As a result, the demand for sworn interpretation at notary offices has grown steadily over the years. Many of my notary appointments involve English-speaking professionals purchasing their first apartment in Wroclaw or setting up a Polish subsidiary of a foreign company.
Over the years, I have built working relationships with many notary offices across Wroclaw. I coordinate directly with the notary's staff to obtain draft deeds in advance, align on scheduling, and ensure the appointment runs smoothly. If you do not yet have a notary, I am happy to recommend offices that are experienced in working with foreign clients and interpreters.
Whether you are buying property, starting a business, or simply need a notarized power of attorney, I am here to make sure you understand every word before you sign. You can reach me through the contact page or by calling directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my bilingual friend interpret at a notary?
No. Polish law is very clear on this point: only a sworn interpreter (tlumacz przysiegly) registered with the Ministry of Justice can interpret at a notary appointment. Your friend may speak perfect English and Polish, but the notary will refuse to proceed unless a registered sworn interpreter is present. The interpreter's credentials are verified at the appointment, and their registration number is recorded in the notarial deed. This requirement exists to protect all parties involved and to ensure a legally valid translation of the proceedings.
Can I get the deed translated in writing afterwards instead?
No — a written translation after the fact does not replace the requirement for a sworn interpreter during the appointment. The legal obligation is about informed consent at the moment of signing. You must understand the content of the deed before you sign it, not after. That said, if you also need a sworn written translation of the executed deed (for example, to present to a foreign bank or authority), that can be arranged separately.
What if I need a power of attorney for use abroad?
If your notarized power of attorney will be used outside Poland, there are a few extra steps. First, the deed itself is signed at the notary with a sworn interpreter, as described above. Then, you will likely need to obtain an apostille from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which certifies the document for international use under the Hague Convention. You may also need a sworn written translation of the power of attorney into the language of the country where it will be used. I can assist with both the interpretation at the notary and the subsequent written translation.
How far in advance should I book an interpreter?
It depends on the type of appointment. For a simple power of attorney, a few days' notice is usually enough. For property transactions, company formation, or anything involving complex documentation, I recommend booking at least one to two weeks in advance. This gives me time to coordinate with the notary, obtain and review the draft deed, and prepare the necessary terminology. During busy periods — especially toward the end of the month, when many property transactions close — availability can be limited, so earlier is better.