Polish bailiff e-auction step by step (e-licytacje portal)
A bailiff e-auction (e-licytacja komornicza) is the electronic version of the traditional in-person auction. Instead of appearing at the bailiff's office, you bid online on the state portal e-licytacje.komornik.pl. This guide walks through the Polish bailiff e-auction step by step: from creating an account, through paying the deposit online, to how bidding works and the formalities after you win.
What an e-auction is and why it is more convenient
The electronic auction of movables (including cars) takes place entirely online, within a set time window. You do not need time off or a trip to the office — you bid from a computer or phone. It is also more transparent: the system records every bid.
If you are just starting and do not know the general rules — who can bid, what the starting price (cena wywoławcza) and deposit (rekojmia) are — begin with our guide on how to buy a car at a bailiff auction.
Step 1. Register on e-licytacje.komornik.pl
Go to the e-licytacje.komornik.pl portal and create a user account. Registration requires personal data and identity confirmation — usually via a profil zaufany (trusted profile) or another available method. You set the account up once and reuse it for future auctions.
Identity verification
The portal is state-run, so user identification is mandatory. Prepare an electronic identification method. The exact confirmation steps may change — follow the instructions on the portal itself.
Step 2. Find an auction and join it
On the portal you can search active and scheduled auctions. Open the notice (obwieszczenie) for the car you want and check: the appraisal sum, the starting price, the deposit amount and the start and end date of the auction. To bid, you must join a specific auction in advance — the system and the notice state the deadline to sign up.
Step 3. Pay the deposit online
The deposit (rekojmia, 10% of the appraisal sum) must reach the named account before the deadline in the notice. Note: the transfer must clear in time, so do not leave it to the last minute — ordinary interbank transfers can take up to a day. Once paid and joined, the system admits you as a bidder.
Step 4. How the auction itself works
The e-auction runs within a set window (often a few days or hours — check the notice). During that time bidders place offers online:
- each bid rises by the postąpienie — the minimum bidding step;
- the system shows the current highest bid;
- if a bid arrives just before the close, the auction time may be extended automatically (an anti-sniping mechanism) to give others a chance to respond.
We collected the definitions of terms like postąpienie, przybicie and rekojmia in the auction glossary.
Set a limit and hold to it
Online auctions invite emotion because clicking is easy. Set a maximum that includes transport and possible repair costs, and stick to it.
Step 5. What happens after you win
When the auction window closes and your bid is highest, the bailiff grants the przybicie (award). Then:
- Pay the balance — you pay the remainder above the deposit by the bailiff's deadline.
- Transfer of ownership (przysądzenie własności) — after full payment ownership passes to you.
- Release of the vehicle and documents — you collect the car and the papers needed for registration.
- Registration — you register the car at the traffic department.
If you fail to pay on time, you lose the deposit and the vehicle goes to another auction.
The starting price in an e-auction
The starting-price mechanics online are identical to an in-person auction. At the first auction the cena wywoławcza is 3/4 (75%) of the appraisal sum; at the second it drops to 1/2 (50%) — that is the rule for movables, including cars, under the Code of Civil Procedure. So if the first online auction ends without a buyer, the next chance comes with a lower entry threshold — often the best moment for a bargain. It is worth watching a specific car across both dates; the portal lets you track the auction status.
The deposit online — what to watch for
Paying the deposit is the most common friction point in an e-auction:
- Pay with a few days' margin. What counts is the date the funds clear, not the date you order the transfer.
- Check the account number and payment reference exactly as given in the notice.
- Keep the confirmation — it is your proof of timely payment.
If you lose, the deposit is refunded, usually within a few business days to the account it came from.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a profil zaufany? In practice identification is required, and the trusted profile is one of the most convenient methods. Check current options on the portal.
Can I bid on several cars at once? Yes, but you join each auction separately and pay a separate deposit for each. Do not lock up more funds than you can realistically buy with.
What if I lose connection during the auction? This is exactly why the time-extension mechanism and a spread-out window matter — a single second does not decide. Still, ensure a stable connection and bid with time to spare, not at the last moment.
Most common technical problems
- Paying the deposit too late — the most common reason for rejection. Pay with a margin.
- Unfinished account verification — complete it before auction day.
- Not knowing the time window — check the exact start and end dates.
The e-auction is convenient but demands you track deadlines. If you want someone to watch new listings and dates for you, see the Brykam pricing — we catch the deals and remind you before the window opens.