Thinking about buying property in Poland as a foreigner? Learn how to obtain a mortgage, what the requirements are, and what documents you will need!

Conditions for obtaining a mortgage for foreigners in Poland

1. PESEL number and registration :

  • To apply for a mortgage, a foreigner must have a PESEL number and be registered in Poland. Although the registration obligation was abolished on January 1, 2016, confirming residence in Poland is still important.

2. Creditworthiness :

  • Employment form – those with an employment contract for an indefinite period have the best chances of getting a mortgage.
  • Financial situation – banks assess the applicant’s income compared to monthly expenses to ensure they can repay the loan.
  • Credit history – a good credit history without any overdue payments is crucial. Banks check the credit history in Poland and the applicant’s home country.
  • Personal situation – age, number of dependents, marital status, and education are considered when assessing creditworthiness.

3. Residence Card and Other Documents :

  • Residence card – a valid temporary or permanent residence card or EU resident status is required. Banks have different requirements regarding the validity period of the card.
  • Identity document (e.g., passport).
  • Employment and income certificate – a certificate from the employer and a PIT return for the previous year.
  • Bank account statement – confirming the income.
  • Documents related to the mortgaged property.

Mortgage and down payment requirements

According to Recommendation S issued by the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF), banks can finance up to 80% of the property’s value. In exceptional cases, financing up to 90% is possible, but the excess must be additionally secured (e.g., low down payment insurance, bank account fund block, pledge on government bonds).

Mortgage without a residence card – is it possible?

It is now possible to obtain a mortgage without a residence card from one of the banks that accepts the PESEL number as a sufficient identity document.

How do banks assess the creditworthiness of foreigners?

Banks assess creditworthiness by verifying identity and income sources. The credit history is checked in Poland (BIK) and the applicant’s home country (e.g., International Bureau of Credit Histories).

Documents required for a mortgage for foreigners

  • Copy of the identity document (not always).
  • Employment and income certificate.
  • PIT return for the previous year.
  • Bank account statement confirming income.
  • Documents related to the mortgaged property.
  • All documents must be translated into Polish by a sworn translator.

Waiting time for a mortgage decision

The bank has 21 days to issue a mortgage decision from the date of submitting a complete application. The average waiting time for a decision is about 2 weeks.

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