Mortgages in spring 2026, what has changed and how to take advantage of it
Mortgages in spring 2026, what has changed and how to take advantage of it
Spring 2026 is the moment when the mortgage market in Poland and across Europe has entered a new phase. After two years of high interest rates, the National Bank of Poland and the European Central Bank have started a cycle of cuts that genuinely affects the daily decisions of millions of people. For those planning to buy an apartment, a house or a real estate investment, this is a good moment to refresh knowledge about current financing conditions.
The most important change is the decline of WIBOR and WIRON, the two indicators on which most Polish variable or periodically fixed rate mortgages are based. A drop in the indicator by one percentage point can mean several hundred zlotys less in the monthly installment for a typical loan of 500 thousand zlotys. For smaller loans the effect is proportionally smaller but still meaningful.
The second important element is creditworthiness. Banks today assess our repayment capacity on the basis of current rates and net income. In practice this means that a person who could obtain a loan of 400 thousand zlotys a year ago can now receive 460 or even 480 thousand. This genuinely opens the door to a larger apartment or a district that just recently seemed out of reach.
The third aspect is the banking offer. PKO BP, Pekao, mBank, ING Bank Śląski, Santander, Millennium, Alior Bank, Citi Handlowy and BNP Paribas have updated their products. More fixed rate mortgage offers have appeared, with periods of 5, 7, 10 and even 15 years. For many clients this is an attractive solution, as it provides certainty about the size of the installment for many years. Bank margins remain at the level of 1.7 to 2.3 percent, depending on the down payment, client segment and additional products included in the agreement, such as a personal account, credit card or insurance.
The down payment remains an important element. The standard is 20 percent of the property value, but with low deposit insurance one can start from 10 percent. Some banks also offer special programs for young clients, families with children or first time buyers. It is worth following current bank campaigns and government programs that periodically support specific groups of buyers.
Foreigners in Poland, including Ukrainian citizens, may also apply for a mortgage, although the process requires broader documentation. Most often banks ask for a current residence card, a Polish employment contract or proof of self employment, employment history and a Polish bank account with regular inflows for at least 6 to 12 months. Some banks, including PKO BP, Pekao and Millennium, have dedicated procedures for foreign nationals that accelerate and simplify the process.
In a global context it is worth noting that rate cuts are a wide phenomenon. In the United States the typical thirty year mortgage rate has fallen to the lowest level in several years, which has already noticeably boosted activity in the housing market. In the eurozone the European Central Bank is lowering the deposit rate, which is reflected in cheaper mortgages in Germany, France, Spain and Italy. In the United Kingdom the Bank of England has also eased its monetary policy, although the pace of change there is more cautious. The entire global real estate market is reacting to this shift with growing buyer activity.
What does all this mean in practice for someone considering a purchase in Kraków or another Polish city? First, it is worth starting with a creditworthiness consultation. A preliminary analysis usually takes about an hour and allows us to determine what budget is realistically within reach. Second, it is good to compare the offers of at least three to five banks, because differences in margin, commission and required additional products can translate into tens of thousands of zlotys difference in the total cost of the loan. Third, it is worth keeping personal finances in good order, because account history, timeliness of payments and the absence of other commitments genuinely influence the bank’s decision.
For those who already have a mortgage, the current situation also creates an opportunity for refinancing. Checking whether a new offer from another bank is more favorable can mean savings of tens of thousands of zlotys over the entire repayment period. The decision to refinance requires taking into account early repayment costs, any commissions of the new bank and additional formalities, but for many clients the math works out positively.
At Eternel we have been helping clients navigate the mortgage process for years, combining knowledge of the Kraków real estate market with experience in working with banks. We cooperate with trusted mortgage advisors who can point to the best offer matched to the specific situation of each person. Every situation is different, so we always begin with a conversation about needs, plans and possibilities.
Spring 2026 is a time of opportunity. Whether you are planning to buy your first apartment, a larger family home, an investment property for rental or to refinance an existing loan, it is worth taking advantage of current market dynamics and the more favorable conditions that are appearing in many banks at the same time.