Poland enacts law to suspend Swiss‑franc mortgage payments during lawsuits

Poland's parliament approved a new law, commonly called the "frank law," aimed at speeding up the handling of mortgage cases linked to the Swiss franc. Signed by the president on 17 July, the legislation takes effect 14 days after its publication and automatically suspends repayment of principal and interest for borrowers who have filed a lawsuit against a bank. The suspension applies to cases filed both before and after the law’s entry, and courts may combine consumer and bank claims into a single proceeding.

Consumer group Stop Banki Bezprawiu (SBB) warned that certain provisions on set‑off (potrącenie) could still strip borrowers of statutory interest, potentially transferring tens of billions of zlotys from citizens to banks. SBB has submitted amendment proposals to guarantee the right to interest regardless of set‑off, seeking to preserve consumer protection while the law seeks to improve court efficiency.