Buyout of flood-prone properties. Is it worth it?

Do you live in a zone of direct flood risk? Are you worried about more torrential rains and hydrological disasters? The State Treasury offers to buy properties located within the 10-year water zone to increase flood safety in Poland. Check the conditions for joining the program.

Floods are an increasing threat

Polish Waters remind us that last year’s flood caused material damage amounting to PLN 12 billion. More than 10,000 residential houses and 800 public buildings, such as schools and hospitals, were flooded. Unfortunately, climate change promotes alternating droughts and heavy rainfall, which lead to extensive floods – and Poland must be prepared for them.

The buyout of properties located in areas of particular flood risk is intended to improve the safety of people and property. In such zones, the construction of new buildings and the expansion of existing ones is prohibited. However, Polish Waters may carry out works related to the construction, maintenance, or modernization of levees and other flood-protection structures.

Property buyout – basic rules

The possibility of voluntarily selling a property to the State Treasury applies in two cases:
• properties located in areas where the probability of flooding due to the proximity of a river or the terrain’s shape is at least 10%. The risk can be verified independently using the Hydroportal or by contacting the relevant Regional Water Management Board (RZGW);
• buildings destroyed by floods, where reconstruction or renovation is inadvisable due to the risk of repeated damage. In this case, both land and building properties can be purchased, including non-residential buildings.

The property buyout is conducted by Polish Waters on behalf of the State Treasury. The program’s budget allocates PLN 800 million for implementation until 2034. The buyout plans are updated annually based on opinions issued by municipalities affected by floods. This process identifies properties that have already suffered serious damage or hinder further flood-protection activities.

A chance for a new start

It is hard to imagine the suffering faced by 250,000 Poles last autumn. Destroyed homes, material losses, and psychological trauma are problems that many residents of the southern part of the country still struggle with today. The voluntary property buyout offers a unique opportunity to move to a safer place and start a new life without fear.

The program’s financial conditions are favorable. The buyout price is based on the appraisal of a property valuer and amounts to 120% of the market value of the property. This amount includes the value of the land, legally constructed residential buildings and premises, as well as structures such as garages, as of the day before the flood.

From the State Treasury’s perspective, the property buyout offers a unique opportunity to improve river accessibility for flood-protection purposes. Relocation of residents will enable the free flow of floodwaters and minimize material losses in the future.

According to researchers from Uppsala University, the enormous flood-related losses over the past half-century have prompted more and more people to relocate to areas farther from riverbanks. This is one of the key adaptation measures also considered in the context of rising sea levels and the threat to coastal cities.