A Loan Without Own Contribution in Poland: Are There Any Setbacks Possible?

The “Apartment without contribution” program will start on May 26, 2022. According to the program the banks will offer a loan with a state-guaranteed contribution. How could this affect the housing market?

The act on guaranteed housing loans has already been published in the Journal of Law. – The act includes a six-month transition period so that Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK) can prepare for granting a loan guarantee. Banks will use this time to create a loan offer.

Important Updates Regarding Policy of A Loan:

The former programs aimed at supporting buyers of flats – “Family at home” and “Mieszkanie dla Młodych” – were challenged even by potential addressees of government solutions. They were accused that the beneficiaries were banks and developers, because thanks to the budget subsidy to loans, they increased the sale of a loan and apartments. Buyers paid an increasingly higher price for them.

“Apartment without contribution” supposes that the maximum amount of contribution covered by it surely will not exceed PLN 100,000. This means that an apartment cannot cost more than PLN 500,000.

The “Apartment without contribution” program, like “Flats for young people”, will be available to those who buy flats that meet the price per square meter criterion. The problem is that in cities the offer of flats that meet the program requirements is currently not many. For example, in Krakow, it is only 3% of the total new apartments, and in Warsaw – 13%.

According to Anna Wojciechowska, sales and marketing director of Robyg in Gdańsk and Poznań, there will be apartments on the market far from city centers, where the purchase price of land is lower.

The Vice President of Cordia Polska, Tomasz Łapiński, does not exclude developers’ interest in the program, but only those who implement projects in the popular segment in smaller cities or the suburbs of large agglomerations. – The program is unlikely to be attractive for companies specializing in projects from the premium segment or building close to city centers.

Developers emphasize that the investment process, counted from the moment of the decision to purchase a plot of land to the day the apartments are introduced to the market, usually lasts several years. Therefore, developers who decide to adapt the offer to the requirements of the program, will not do so until the act enters into force.

Implications for Banking and Business

Developments in the Polish banking sector affect businesses operating in the country in several ways. Access to corporate banking services, credit availability, deposit rates, and payment infrastructure are all critical factors for companies — whether established Polish firms or foreign-owned entities entering the market.

For foreign entrepreneurs setting up operations in Poland, choosing the right banking partner is a strategic decision. Major Polish banks including mBank, ING Bank Śląski, Bank Millennium, PKO BP, and Santander Poland offer varying levels of service for international clients, including English-language online banking, multicurrency accounts, and dedicated relationship managers for corporate clients.

The Polish banking market is well-regulated by the KNF (Financial Supervision Authority) and participates in the EU deposit guarantee scheme (BFG — Bank Guarantee Fund), providing deposit protection up to EUR 100,000 per depositor per institution. This regulatory framework provides stability and confidence for businesses maintaining corporate funds in Polish banks.

If you are doing business in Poland or considering entering the Polish market, Zalewski Consulting can help. Learn more about our corporate tax advisory, or contact us for a free consultation.