Spain has tempted Polish investors for years: a longer season, sunshine, a property market with a tradition. More and more people consider an apartment on the Mediterranean as an investment. And yet some of them, after counting all the costs and risks, stay at home. We compare both directions honestly, showing Spain’s real strengths too.
What draws Polish investors to Spain
Let us start with the advantages, because they are real. Spain has several strong arguments that attract capital from all over Europe, including Poland.
- A longer tourist season – the warm Mediterranean climate extends the rental season compared with the Polish coast or mountains
- A recognisable destination – the Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca and the Balearics are tourist brands known across Europe, with settled demand
- Income in euros – rental settled in a strong currency, which for a Polish investor can be a diversification argument
- Climate and lifestyle – the option to use the apartment as your own place of rest in a warmer climate
These are serious strengths. For an investor who wants a property in a warmer climate and plans to use it personally, Spain can be the right choice. Honesty requires saying so plainly.
What the marketing does not say outright
Spain’s strengths are highlighted in every offer. Less is said about the costs and risks that can be real and significant for a Polish investor.
Currency risk
Income in euros sounds attractive, but it works both ways. If you buy a property with zloty converted into euros, and then settle income and any sale in euros, the EUR/PLN rate affects your real result. A stronger zloty lowers the value of income converted into zloty. It is a risk you do not have with a domestic investment.
Operational distance
Managing a property several hours’ flight away is harder. Inspections, meetings with the manager, reacting to problems – all of it requires either travel or full trust in a local agent. The cost of flights for checks and the time spent managing from a distance are real, if rarely counted, items.
Different rules and taxes
The Spanish tax system, rental regulations and purchase procedures differ from the Polish ones. Rental tax, local charges, notary and legal costs, as well as short-term rental regulations tightening in some regions of Spain, are areas that require knowledge of a foreign legal system or paying for local advisers.
Harder personal use
Paradoxically, an apartment in Spain, tempting as a place to rest, is harder to reach for a spontaneous weekend than a property at home. A trip requires a flight and planning, while you can reach Szczyrk from southern Poland in an hour.
The case for investing at home
A property in the Polish mountains has features that tip the scales for many investors, especially with a first investment of this kind. We wrote about it in detail in the article mountains or the sea and in the comparison of Szczyrk with other mountain resorts.
- No currency risk – you buy, settle and sell in zloty, with no exposure to the exchange rate
- Proximity and control – an hour’s drive from southern Poland means easy oversight of the investment and the option of personal use
- A familiar legal and tax system – you operate under law you know, with advisers who speak your language
- Market knowledge – it is easier to assess the location, the developer and real demand in a market you know from your own experience
Who Spain suits, who Poland suits
The honest answer is not that one direction is always better. It depends on the investor’s profile, goals and experience.
| Investor profile | Consider Spain when | Consider Poland when |
|---|---|---|
| Experience | You already have experience with property abroad | This is your first investment of this kind |
| Personal goal | You want a place in a warmer climate for your own rest | You value easy access and proximity |
| Attitude to risk | You accept currency and operational risk | You prefer to operate in a familiar system with no exchange-rate risk |
| Management | You have a trusted manager on site | You want to oversee the investment easily |
| Diversification | You want exposure to a foreign market | You are building a stable portfolio foundation at home |
Many experienced investors have both, building a portfolio from a domestic and a foreign part. But the order can matter: the domestic property as a stable foundation of the portfolio, the foreign one as later diversification, once you already have experience and support.
Considering a holiday property and torn between abroad and home?
A Sky Resort advisor will help you compare the real costs and risks of an investment in Szczyrk. With no pressure toward one direction, and an honest conversation about what fits your goals. The first consultation is free.
Book a free consultationFrequently asked questions
Can you earn more in Spain than in Poland?
A longer season in Spain potentially gives more rental days. But the real result is lowered by remote operating costs, currency risk and different tax rules. Which direction gives a higher real return depends on the specific property and its management, so it is worth calculating both on real data.
What is the biggest risk of investing in Spain?
For a Polish investor, usually currency risk and operational distance. The EUR/PLN rate affects the real result, and managing from a distance requires a trusted agent or frequent travel. Add to that the need to navigate a foreign legal and tax system.
Is it worth investing abroad for a first investment?
Many advisers suggest making a first investment of this kind in a familiar, domestic setting, where it is easier to assess risk and manage the property. A foreign investment can be a better step later, once you already have experience and support.
Can a property in Szczyrk be combined with one abroad?
Yes, and it is a sensible diversification strategy. The domestic property as a stable foundation of the portfolio, the foreign one as exposure to a different market and climate. Different locations and seasons stabilise the flow of income across the year.
Why do some investors choose the Beskids over the Spanish coast?
Most often because of the lack of currency risk, proximity, easy oversight and operating in a familiar legal system. For an investor from southern Poland, Szczyrk is within an hour’s drive, which makes both management and personal use of the apartment easier.
