How to Check Whether You're in Debt in Poland
You can get a definitive answer on your debt from four specific sources: a BIK report, the debtor registers (BIG InfoMonitor, KRD, ERIF), the property's land registry, and information on any open bailiff case. You can check every one of them yourself, without seeing a lawyer, most of them for free or for a token fee. There's no need to guess based on what someone wrote on a forum.
Short version
BIK shows loans and credit, including missed or late payments. The debtor registers (BIG InfoMonitor, KRD, ERIF) show arrears reported by creditors: rent, telecoms, child support. The land registry shows whether the property has a mortgage or an enforcement entry recorded against it. A bailiff case is confirmed by a notice of enforcement, but an unclaimed registered letter still counts as delivered.
The BIK report: what it shows, and what it doesn't
BIK (Biuro Informacji Kredytowej, Poland's Credit Information Bureau) holds the history of loans and credit taken out with banks and lending companies, along with whether payments were made on time. Access to your own BIK data is free, under GDPR. Extended reports that add a credit score can come with a fee, if you want a numeric rating on top of the plain list of your obligations.
BIK doesn't show everything. Rent, telecom, or child-support arrears go into other registers, not BIK, unless a creditor happens to report the same debt to several places at once.
Debtor registers: BIG InfoMonitor, KRD, ERIF
These are separate databases where a creditor can report a consumer's arrears: rent, internet, phone, child support, an unpaid non-bank loan. Before a creditor can add an entry, they're required to warn the debtor first. Checking your own data in these registers is usually free once within a given period, with further checks costing a small fee, typically in the range of a few dollars.
The land registry: checking Section IV
Specifically for an apartment or house, Section IV of the land registry (księga wieczysta) shows a mortgage, and a note in Section III or IV can point to enforcement proceedings already under way. The online land registry browser is free, all you need is the registry number. This is a source no debtor register can replace, because it concerns the legal status of the property itself, not the person. The browser is run by the Ministry of Justice at ekw.ms.gov.pl.
Bailiff cases: the notice that's not worth ignoring
We had a client who was genuinely afraid of the bailiff, to the point of avoiding leaving the house in case something got taken. He didn't have a clear picture of what a bailiff could and couldn't actually seize, and that lack of information stressed him out more than the debt itself. We first helped him work out exactly where the case stood, instead of guessing.
If a case has already reached a bailiff, a notice of enforcement is usually sent first. An unclaimed registered letter still counts as delivered once the statutory holding period passes, so avoiding the mail carrier doesn't put the case on hold. You can also ask the bailiff responsible for your area directly whether they have proceedings open against you.
When it's worth calling us
If the check confirms debt tied to the property, a mortgage, or an enforcement entry, that doesn't rule out selling. A homeowners' association or co-op debt rarely lowers a property's real value by more than 10-15%, but it almost always adds months to a traditional sale, because you need a buyer willing to accept the debt being settled out of the price. We settle it on the spot, in the notarial deed.
- The price is 70-90% of market value, depending on the legal and physical condition.
- The valuation is always free, ready within 2 days of contact.
- Closing happens from 4 days after you accept the offer.
- Costs on your side: none. Debt settlement is built into the process.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal or tax advice for your individual situation. The law can change and every case is different. Before making a decision, consult a qualified lawyer, tax advisor, or notary.
If checking these four sources confirms debt tied to the property and you're not sure what to do next, call. We'll check the land registry and tell you plainly what's realistically possible, instead of leaving things hanging.
Straight answers
Does checking my own BIK or KRD data lower my credit score?
Does a debt in a debtor register disappear on its own after a while?
Does a bailiff seize assets without prior notice?
Does checking the land registry cost anything?
What should I do if the check confirms debt tied to the property?
Related reading
How to Get Out of a Debt Spiral in Poland: A Step-by-Step Plan
Repayment order, negotiating with creditors, and the point where selling the property closes things out faster than continuing to pay.
Read more →
Who Helps People in Debt in Poland: Where to Find Real Support
Free legal aid, the Financial Ombudsman, restructuring advisors. Specific institutions, not vague advice.
Read more →
Inherited Debt or a Court Bailiff in Poland: What Happens Now
A bailiff case doesn't rule out selling what you inherited. Here's what actually gets seized, and what doesn't.
Read more →