Drones Check City Properties — Pay Up to Five Years Back

4 April 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

Local governments use drone property inspections to find unreported buildings; you may owe up to five years of back taxes.

The city and surrounding municipalities now use drone property inspections to scan private plots. Consequently, authorities can detect unreported garages, attics, and hard surfaces fast.

Table of Contents

How the drone property inspections system works

The system compares two maps automatically. First, it reads the official Land and Building Register data. Second, it overlays a recent orthoimage from drones or satellites. Moreover, LiDAR scans add 3D shape data for accuracy. Each mismatch produces an address on a verification list. Therefore, an official gets a ready-made list and does not need long field checks. In addition, thermal cameras can show if an attic emits heat in winter. If so, the attic likely counts as living space.

Why cities began using it and the fiscal impact

Wrocław tested the method first. The city spent about 128,000 PLN on the system in 2020. Consequently, officials recovered an estimated 3 to 4 million PLN in unpaid taxes. The math is simple. One flight pays for itself after detecting a dozen garages. Moreover, many municipalities now adopt the technology. They need revenue after several years of inflation and higher education and transport costs. Therefore, a short aerial survey becomes cheaper than months of inspector time.

What the algorithm sees and what homeowners assume

The software flags any new roof outline or structure not in the register. For example, a metal garage on a concrete base counts as a building. Consequently, the local rate for standalone garages can reach 11.48 PLN per square meter. An adapted attic may increase the residential base. Moreover, a closed terrace or winter garden can create new taxable area. Municipalities also use orthoimages to measure sealed ground. Therefore, properties with large impermeable surfaces could face a stormwater fee.

Polish tax law allows towns to claim unpaid property tax for up to five years. For 2026, this means unpaid sums from 2021 onward. The tax interest rate currently equals 14.5 percent annually. A 30 m² garage can cost roughly 345 PLN per year. Consequently, five years with interest can exceed 3,000 PLN. Nonpayment triggers enforcement and extra costs.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: As an expat, check your property on geoportal.gov.pl today. Log the plot and turn on the “Ewidencja Gruntów i Budynków” layer. Then overlay “Ortofotomapa” to spot mismatches. If you find an unregistered structure, file an IN-1 correction voluntarily. Voluntary correction avoids a criminal tax fine and limits penalties to delayed tax with interest. Also note local terms: ZUS is social security, NFZ is health insurer, and PESEL is the national ID number for residents. Finally, measure attic heights accurately. Space above 2.20 m counts fully, between 1.40 m and 2.20 m counts fifty percent, and below 1.40 m counts zero percent for tax purposes.

Acting early gives you options. You can correct declarations before the municipality issues a decision. However, ignoring a notice may lead to enforcement. Therefore, check, correct, and document before the city sends a demand.

Source: Read original article