Simplified Procedures of Mortgages for Foreigners in Polish Banks

An increasing number of foreigners have decided to purchase real estate in Poland. Even a larger number of migrants from Poland’s neighboring Ukraine and Belarus apply to local banks for mortgages.

In current years not all Polish banks issued loans to persons who are not Polish citizens. However, a lot has changed in this regard recently, and finding a Polish bank with a loan offer for foreigners is no longer a problem. Such loans are not specifically intended for foreigners – they can be used by both Poles and citizens of other countries.

There are also banks that clearly indicate that they offer special loans for foreigners. Moreover, today foreigners also have a chance to get a mortgage for the purchase of real estate in Poland. For example, among banks that offer mortgage loans to foreigners with a residence permit: are Pekao SA, Millenium, mBank, PKO BP, ING Bank Śląski and Alior Bank.

Moreover, some Polish banks offer clients from Ukraine and Belarus services in Ukrainian and Russian, which greatly facilitates the procedure for obtaining a mortgage for a foreigner in a foreign country.

The Details of Requirements of Polish Banks:

The most common list of required documents for obtaining a housing loan looks like this:
– The presence of a permanent residence permit in the Republic of Poland (for some banks, a temporary one is sufficient),
– The presence of a permanent legal source of income in Poland,
– Confirmation of the existence of a residence permit on the territory of the Republic of Poland,
– Availability of a valid passport,
– Availability of a bank account in a Polish bank,
– Availability of a PESEL number,
– Availability of the so-called “start-up capital” in the amount of at least 10% of the cost of housing, for which a foreigner plans to take a mortgage.

By the way, after the COVID-19 pandemic, many Polish banks tightened the conditions for obtaining mortgages, including for foreigners. For example, the amount of start-up capital in a client’s account should now be 20, and sometimes even 30% of the cost of housing. Also, many banks pay attention to the presence of a positive credit history with a foreign client.

In addition to a certificate of the presence of a permanent source of income, the bank may request a copy of the employment contract, a certificate of income for the last few months, a copy of a marriage certificate, the estimated value of the real estate, etc.

In fact, applying for a mortgage in a Polish bank for a foreigner is not a difficult procedure. At the same time, the percentage at which banks in Poland give mortgage loans to foreigners is not large and allows them to acquire their own housing in this country in a fairly short time and on favorable terms.

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.