Foreigners Eligible for Poland’s ‘Safe 2% Loan’ Housing Program, Ministry Confirms

The renowned “Safe Credit 2%” initiative, introduced in July, has garnered significant popularity among Polish citizens seeking affordable housing loans. Notably, this program isn’t limited to locals; foreigners can also reap its benefits, given they fulfill specific criteria. The Polish Press Agency approached the Ministry of Development and Technology for clarity regarding the eligibility of foreigners in this scheme.

The “Safe Credit 2%” program, rolled out on July 3, has swiftly gained traction among Polish nationals as an avenue to secure housing loans at an impressively low 2% interest rate. However, intriguingly, the program’s ambit extends to foreigners as well. For international applicants, there’s a crucial criterion that must be met: the age limit. Those applying for this loan must be under 45 years old when submitting their application. Moreover, if a household consists of multiple parties, it suffices for just one of them to meet the age criterion, provided all parties involved in the loan agreement adhere to this condition.

2% Loan for Housing Program:

The heart of the program lies in its provision of subsidies to recipients for ten years, ensuring that the interest rate remains fixed at 2%, plus the bank’s margin, throughout this duration. These subsidies are drawn from the Government Housing Fund, a pre-existing entity within Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego.

A pertinent question posed to the Ministry was whether foreign nationals could partake in the “Safe Credit 2%” program. The Ministry confirmed that foreigners indeed have the opportunity to benefit, contingent upon them fulfilling the criteria stipulated in the Act on family housing loans and a safe 2% loan, alongside adhering to the conditions outlined in the Act of 23 March 2017 on mortgage loans and the supervision of mortgage brokers and agents.

One intriguing requirement is the currency in which the mortgage loan must be granted. Per the Ministry’s response, the mortgage loan must be issued in or indexed to the currency in which the consumer primarily earns their income or holds the majority of their financial resources and assets. Consequently, foreigners whose primary source of income is in Polish złoty (PLN) and who pay taxes in Poland are eligible to apply.

In terms of data, the Ministry reported that as of August 1, out of approximately 20,000 loan applications received, around 1% were from foreigners. Notably, a significant portion of these foreign applicants hailed from Ukraine, constituting around 70% of the foreign applicants. Further analysis revealed that roughly 15% of Ukrainian citizens entered the program jointly with a Polish citizen, often involving a spouse or co-parent.

Crucially, the Ministry clarified that possessing real estate abroad does not preclude one from applying for the “Safe 2% Loan.” Applicants need not provide information about overseas real estate holdings during the application process, thereby affirming that such data isn’t collected for assessment.

Poland’s “Safe 2% Loan” housing program, which has gained immense traction since its July launch, is open not only to Polish citizens but also to eligible foreigners. The Ministry of Development and Technology’s confirmation underscores that by adhering to specific criteria and requirements, foreign nationals can take advantage of this affordable housing loan opportunity.

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 tax advisory services in Poland, or contact us for a free consultation.