Construction of a shelter without permission. New rules from 2026


The growing sense of danger and uncertainty means that more and more people are thinking about building shelters. The current provisions of the construction law required complicated formalities, which discouraged many investors. The new regulations are to simplify the process, enabling faster and easier implementation of such projects.
See also: Poland wants to build shelters on a massive scale. Experts: Now you can only estimate
The own home shelter has ceased to be a fad and a weirdness, and a real plan to ensure the safety of many people. At the same time, the provisions of the Construction Law effectively cool down the enthusiasm of some investors who abandoned plans to build such facilities.
Now the government has decided to amend the existing regulations to facilitate the implementation of shelters for the use of citizens. As explained by Gazeta, .pl, the project adopted by the Council of Ministers assumes that the construction of shelters up to 35 sq m will not require a building permit.
Instead, the investment is enough, and if the office does not object within 21 days, the work may start. Changes will also include other facilities, such as covered terraces or small public buildings up to 200 sq m.
Construction of a home shelter without permission? Here's what is changing
According to the adopted regulations, simplification of formalities does not mean full freedom – it will still be necessary to prepare the project and appoint a construction manager.
The backyard shelter should be hermetic, partly recessed in the ground and equipped with a filter system. Watering, food and medicines, as well as an emergency energy source such as an aggregate are also important.
See also: Garages and basements as temporary shelters. There are new recipes
Increasingly, home bunkers have sanitary installations, which allows them to survive in them up to several weeks. It all depends on the investor's budget, but it is not worth saving on safety.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the new regulations as a “radical simplification”. As he emphasized, the goal is to take a photo of unnecessary bureaucratic burden from citizens. The amendment has already been sent to parliament, and its entry into force is planned for January 1, 2026.




