Mortgage in Poland - requirements for foreigners

Update: 09.02.2023

Foreigners can take out mortgages in Poland, although exact terms will vary depending on individual banks. Each bank has it’s own set of requirements but in general these are the basic requirements:

Income in Poland (there are exceptions)

Most banks in Poland require a borrower has an income in Poland. That’s the first and crucial requirement at most banks. Differents sources of income are acceptable:

• employment contract for limited or unlimited period of time
• self-employment
• running a bussines in Poland
• casual contract (e.g. umowa zlecenie or umowa o dzieło)
• income from a property rental in Poland
• pension

If you are a foreigner and work abroad you don’t qualify for a mortgage in Poland at most banks.

There are two exceptions:

• If you have Polish citizenship and work abroad you have a chance to get a mortgage in Poland.
• If your partner/wife/husband works in Poland there is a chance to accept part of your income from abroad.

Residency status

You need to be a Polish resident or you must have a living address in Poland.

If you are from the EU banks require copy of your Certificate of Registration of an EU Citizen Residence. If you are from outside the EU you need to provide a bank with a Residency Card (Karta Pobytu).

There are exceptions - some banks in Poland don’t require a Residency Card or a Certificate of Registration of an EU Citizen Residence.

PESEL

Pesel is a Polish Personal Identification Number. Most banks in Poland require a borrower has a Pesel number but there are a few banks which don’t require that.

Deposit

The maximum mortgage you can take out in Poland is 90% of the value of the property you want to purchase, which means you have to provide at least a 10% deposit. However, some banks will ask for a higher deposit. A 20% deposit gives you access to most banks and better rates.

There is also possible to borrow up to 100% of the purchase price/property value thanks to the Polish government scheme / Mortgage Guarantee Scheme. In this option no deposit is required.

Permission to buy a land or a house in Poland

There is a legal distinction in Poland between:

• independent residential premises (a flat)
• land  - developed (with a house) or undeveloped

A foreigner can buy a flat without any permission. It doesn’t matter whether you are resident  in Poland or not. If a foreigner wants to buy a land (developed or undeveloped) a special permission may be required. More information regarding that you will find here: gov.pl

Documents required for a mortgage application:

• Passport
• Proof of your residency status (required by most banks in Poland)
• Proof of earnings (e.g. salary certificate from your employer, financial statement of your business in Poland)
• Bank statements (three to six months)
• Preliminary agreement for a property and documents regarding a propery (if applicable)