Slovakia's Mortgage Rules Tighten, Driving Divergent Apartment Prices

From early 2027 the National Bank of Slovakia will tighten mortgage lending rules. The maximum loan‑to‑value (LTV) ratio will stay at up to 90% for first‑time homebuyers but will fall to 70% for buyers of a third or subsequent property, requiring larger down‑payments. Tatra Bank spokesperson Simona Miklošovič said the changes aim to curb speculative buying while improving access for young families.

The new limits are already influencing the housing market. In Bratislava two‑bedroom apartments fell about 3.8% in the second quarter of 2026 as stricter mortgage caps squeezed buyers without sufficient equity, while three‑bedroom units rose roughly 3% as owners with capital shifted demand to larger homes. Similar patterns appeared in Prešov and Trenčín, where price gaps between two‑ and three‑room flats narrowed. Real‑estate analyst Michal Pružinský noted that families with existing property are financing purchases from the sale of their previous home, sustaining demand for larger apartments despite tighter credit for new investors.