Can a Foreigner Get a Loan in Poland? Types, Banks, and Conditions (2025 Guide)

Getting a loan in Poland as a foreigner is possible—but not always easy. Whether you're looking for a consumer loan, a car loan, or a full-blown mortgage, your legal status and country of citizenship matter more than you might think.

The short answer is: only with a valid residence permit. Polish banks do not issue loans—especially unsecured consumer loans—to foreigners staying on short-term visas or without registered residence.

With a temporary residence permit, banks will also evaluate your citizenship. Certain nationalities are automatically disqualified or require additional guarantees. EU citizens, Americans, and Canadians generally have more favorable access compared to applicants from third countries.

Yes—if you have a temporary or permanent residence permit, you may be eligible for a loan with Santander. However, Santander and other banks (like Alior, Pekao, PKO BP) often reject applications from foreigners with limited legal stay or those in legal gray zones.

Residence Angels clients have successfully refinanced their mortgages from Santander to Alior, obtaining better conditions. Polish banks often buy each other's contracts if your creditworthiness improves.

To get a mortgage in Poland as a foreigner, you typically need:

• Valid TRC, PR, or long-term EU residence card
• Stable income (preferably from employment in Poland)
• PESEL number
• Polish bank account and credit history
• Contribution of 10–20% as a down payment

That depends on the bank and your profile. Typical mortgage limits include:

• 400,000 PLN for individual applications
• 800,000 PLN for joint family applications
• Up to 1.2 million PLN in some high-credit scenarios

Fixed rates are often guaranteed for 5 years, then renegotiated. But many banks allow contract buy-outs, meaning you can transfer your debt to another lender with better conditions.

While the early years of your mortgage might seem affordable, over a 30-year term, most borrowers pay back 150–200% of what they borrowed. For example:

• Loan taken: 400,000 PLN
• Total returned: over 1,200,000 PLN (including interest)

So if you can pay faster—you pay less.

Online promises like “free loans in Poland” are usually marketing traps for micro-loan companies. They’re legal but often come with very high APRs. EU loans for Polish citizens, like subsidies or startup financing, are generally not available to foreigners unless they already have permanent residence.

We assist foreigners in Poland with:

• Mortgage eligibility assessments
• Document preparation
• Legal status verification
• Bank negotiations
• Contract review and refinancing

Whether you're just starting your journey or refinancing an old loan, our team in Warsaw helps you navigate the Polish financial system with confidence.