Yes, you can get a mortgage in Poland as a foreigner, but you must meet certain criteria. If you do, you will be eligible for the same mortgage conditions as a Polish citizen.
There are three basic factors that banks in Poland will consider:
- Residency status
- Income
- Deposit
Residency status
Most banks in Poland require either a residence card (for non-EU citizens) or a certificate of registration of residence (for EU citizens) when applying for a mortgage.
It is sometimes possible to obtain a mortgage without these documents, but you must have a PESEL number (Polish Personal Identification Number) and an official residential address in Poland (adres zameldowania).
A Residence Card
This is an official document issued to non-EU citizens that confirms a foreigner’s identity and the legal right to stay in Poland based on a residence permit. It functions both as your ID and as proof of your residency status in Poland.
Banks in Poland accept different types of residence card:
- Temporary Residence Card (Karta pobytu czasowego)
- Permanent Residence Card (Karta stałego pobytu)
- Long-Term EU Resident Card (Karta rezydenta długoterminowego UE)
Most banks in Poland require your residency card to be valid for at least 6 to 12 months from the date you apply for a mortgage, so the card’s expiration date is very important. However, there is one bank that accepts a residency card with at least 3 months of validity remaining, and another bank that only requires the card to be valid at the time of signing the mortgage contract.
If you don’t have a residency card yet, I recommend visiting the official Polish government website for more information: https://www.gov.pl/web/udsc-en
A Certificate of Registration of Residence of an EU Citizen in Poland
A certificate of registration of residence of an EU citizen (in Polish: Zaświadczenie o zarejestrowaniu pobytu obywatela UE) is an official document issued to confirm the legal residence of the European Union (or of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland) citizen who intends to stay in Poland for more than 3 months. This certificate serves as formal proof of your legal residence in Poland and is often required for various administrative purposes. It is also crucial for a mortgage application in Poland. If you are an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, you need to have this document if you want to apply for a mortgage.
Find out more: https://www.gov.pl/web/mswia-en/registration-of-residence
Income
The general rule is: if you are a foreigner and want to get a mortgage in Poland, you need to have an income in Poland.
Banks in Poland accept different sources of income to qualify for a mortgage, including:
- Permanent employment contracts
- Fixed-term employment contracts / temporary employment contracts
- Casual contracts (umowa zlecenie, umowa o dzieło)
- Self-employed
- Running your own business
- Rental income
Find out more: Types of income you can use for a mortgage in Poland
Note 1: If you are a foreigner living and working abroad, you are not eligible for a mortgage in Poland.
Note 2: If you are a foreigner living in Poland but working abroad, there is some possibility of obtaining a mortgage. You must have either:
- a residence card, or
- a certificate of registration of residence (if you are an EU citizen).
Under Polish law, the currency of the mortgage must match the currency of your income. At the time of writing, mortgages in Poland are available in PLN and EUR.
Note 3: If you are self-employed or invoice clients outside Poland, you can still get a mortgage in Poland – even if you have contracts with foreign companies. This is possible if your business is registered in Poland and you pay taxes in Poland. In this case, you have the option to get a mortgage in Polish Zloty (PLN), even if your income is in a foreign currency.
Deposit
A deposit (down payment) is usually required by banks when purchasing property in Poland. To qualify for a mortgage, you typically need to provide at least a 10% deposit, although some banks may require 20%.
In both cases, it is often possible to borrow additional funds for finishing or renovating the property. This means that, in practice, you may be able to borrow more than the property’s purchase price.
It is also possible to get a mortgage without a deposit or with a deposit lower than 10%, thanks to the Polish government-backed mortgage scheme called Rodzinny Kredyt Mieszkaniowy.
Read on: 0% deposit – 100% mortgage in Poland
What documents will you need to prove mortgage eligibility?
Banks in Poland will require proof of identity and documentation of your financial situation. Therefore, you’ll need to gather several different documents.
To prove your identity, you’ll need:
- Passport
- Residence card (if you are a non-EU citizen)
- Certificate of Registration of Residence of an EU Citizen in Poland (if you are an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen)
- PESEL number
- Proof of address in Poland (required by some banks) – e.g. a copy of a rental contract, a residence registration certificate obtained from a local municipal office.
To prove your income, you’ll need:
- Income certificate from your employer – each bank has its own form that your employer must complete, confirming your employment, position, salary, and other relevant details
- Confirmation of salary transfers into your account for the past 3 to 6 months
- Bank statements from the past 1 to 3 months (required by some banks) – these should be for the account where your salary is paid.
- Your most recent tax return (required by some banks).
To prove your income from self-employment, you’ll need:
- Financial statements from the past 1 to 2 tax years
- Tax returns from the past 1 to 2 years
- Copy of your B2B contract (sometimes it’s required).
How much could you borrow for a mortgage in Poland?
At most banks in Poland, you can typically borrow up to 5.5 times your net annual income for a mortgage. If you’re buying with a partner, this amount can be up to 5.5 times your combined net annual income.
For example, if you earn 120,000 PLN per year, you could potentially borrow up to 660,000 PLN.
However, this is not a fixed rule. Different banks may offer more or less than this amount based on their individual criteria.
Banks will also consider factors such as:
- Your age
- Size of your deposit
- Existing debts
- Credit history
- Number of dependants
- Employment status
- Monthly outgoings
These factors help banks assess risk and determine the exact amount they are willing to lend.
What’s the process of buying a house in Poland?
In short, the process of buying a property and applying for a mortgage in Poland typically involves the following steps:
- Confirming mortgage eligibility and setting a budget
- Finding a property
- Signing a preliminary agreement or reservation agreement
- Applying for a mortgage.
These steps are crucial – especially Step 1. You should not begin searching for a property without first confirming your mortgage eligibility in Poland. Polish banks tend to be much stricter compared to banks in many Western European countries.
It’s also highly recommended to contact me (or another mortgage advisor – but preferably me) before signing any preliminary agreement. I regularly assist clients in reviewing the transaction details to ensure everything is properly prepared. This includes comparing mortgage offers from different banks to find the most suitable option.
If the transaction involves higher risk, some banks may allow you to obtain a mortgage decision before signing a preliminary agreement. This is something that should be discussed with your mortgage advisor.
How long does it take to get a mortgage in Poland?
The timeframe for a mortgage application in Poland varies from bank to bank and also depends on your individual situation. In some cases, a mortgage can be approved within 2–3 weeks, but this isn’t always possible. If you have a complex financial situation that requires extensive communication with the bank, or if issues arise during the valuation process, the application may take longer. A realistic assumption is that the process will take around 30–60 days from application to closing.
The duration of the mortgage approval process in Poland depends on:
- The bank’s efficiency – some banks work very quickly, while others have a time-consuming process. It also depends on the bank’s current workload; busy periods can lead to delays.
- Your financial situation – if you have a complex case, such as multiple income sources or running your own business, the bank may need more time to verify everything.
- Your responsiveness – banks often request additional documents or clarifications. The speed with which you respond directly affects the overall timeline.
Tips for speeding up the mortgage process in Poland:
- Prepare documentation carefully – submitting a complete and well-prepared application with all required documents will help the process run more smoothly.
- Respond promptly – if the bank requests additional information or documents, provide them as quickly as possible.
- Work with an experienced mortgage broker – a broker can help you prepare the application correctly and guide you efficiently through the process.