In today's article from the series "Tuesday Mornings for the Construction Industry," we examine further changes to the spatial planning reform, namely the Act of April 30, 2026, amending the Act on Spatial Planning and Development and certain other acts (hereinafter "Amending Act"). Although the general plan was long intended to be the basic planning document for every municipality, reality has proven more complicated. Therefore, the legislature has decided to once again extend the deadline for implementing the new solutions – this time, municipalities will be given an additional two months to adopt their general plans – until August 31, 2026.
Where does the next shift come from?
The general plan is one of the key elements of the spatial planning reform introduced by the Act of 7 July 2023 amending the Act on Spatial Planning and Development and certain other acts. Ultimately, it is intended to replace studies of conditions and directions of spatial development and provide the basis for further planning activities by municipalities.
Originally, the new solutions were supposed to come into effect much earlier. However, the deadline has been extended several times – initially to June 30, 2026. Now, legislators have decided to extend the transition period again, this time until August 31, 2026.
It is worth noting that the postponementof the date from July 1, 2026, to September 1, 2026, also includes transitional provisions for investments implemented under the so-called Special Housing Act. In practice, this means extending the period during which applications can be submitted and resolutions adopted on determining the location of residential investments under the current rules.
The reasons for the amendment are primarily practical. Despite several years of work on spatial planning reform, many municipalities have not yet completed the procedures for preparing general plans. Preparing these documents requires urban planning analyses, consultations with numerous authorities, and public consultations. In the legislature's opinion, maintaining the current deadline could lead to significant difficulties for both local governments and investment process participants.
What does this mean for investors?
For investors, developers, and property owners, continuity in planning processes is paramount. Without an extension, many municipalities might be unable to adopt their general plans, which could lead to complications in managing the investment process.
The extension of the validity of the existing studies of conditions and directions of spatial development until 31 August 2026 is intended to reduce such risk and provide municipalities with additional time to complete their planning procedures.
This is not the only change
The amendment is not limited to extending the deadline for preparing general plans. It also introduces a number of changes to the operation of the spatial planning system, including provisions relating to integrated investment plans, the Urban Register, and selected planning procedures.
Two changes are worth noting, as they may have practical implications for the investment process. First, the new regulations will enable the transfer of downtown development areas designated in general plans to local zoning plans and development decisions. This solution is intended to ensure greater coherence between individual planning instruments.
Secondly, the ability to obtain a development decision will be limited solely to entities with the right to use real estate for construction purposes, as defined by construction law. This represents a departure from the current principle, according to which any interested party could, in principle, apply for a development decision, regardless of legal title to the property.
From the perspective of investors, the second change may have particular practical significance. The zoning decision will no longer function as a tool solely for assessing the investment potential of real estate by entities that do not yet have the right to use it for construction purposes.
The bill was waiting for the President's signature
The Amendment Act has already been passed by the Sejm and Senate, and on May 22, 2026, it was submitted to the President of the Republic of Poland for signature. As of the date of this article, information provided by the Chancellery of the President does not indicate that it has already been signed.
In principle, the Amendment Act will enter into force on 1 July 2026.
To sum up, the most important information for the real estate market is simple – the deadline for preparing general plans has been postponed from June 30 to August 31, 2026.
For municipalities, this means additional time to complete planning work. For investors and property owners, however, it signals that the spatial planning reform has not yet entered into force in its intended form. The Amendment Act may also impact the pattern of property acquisition by investors, particularly in the context of additional requirements for obtaining a zoning decision.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Legal status as of June 8, 2026.
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