Polish homebuyers surge for mortgages as prices rise and credit checks tighten

A new Otodom‑commissioned study of 1,328 Poles found that 62.5% consider the fear of further home‑price increases the primary reason to seek a mortgage, outweighing family growth or marriage. Respondents typically start the loan process online, with 79% turning to Google and 71% using comparison sites for information, while platforms such as TikTok and YouTube receive the lowest trust. More than half of those surveyed need four to twelve months from initial intent to submit an application, and the market’s direction now hinges on the upcoming monetary‑policy stance of the Polish Monetary Policy Council.

Polish banks evaluate mortgage applications on several risk factors. A debt‑to‑income ratio above 50% (or 40% for lower incomes) often leads to rejection. The BIK credit score is crucial; scores below 60 markedly reduce approval chances. Unused credit‑card limits and account overdrafts are treated as potential liabilities, cutting assessed borrowing power even when balances are zero. Employment type also matters: civil‑law contracts are weighted lower than regular contracts, and self‑employment usually requires at least a year of stable income. Consumers are advised to settle outstanding debts, close unnecessary credit lines, and maintain regular account balances to improve their creditworthiness.