The new government is already working on a new assistance program for mortgage holders, though the detailed assumptions regarding its structure and operation are yet to be revealed.
Before that happens, let’s summarize the housing programs introduced over the past 15 years that were designed to help borrowers.
“Family on Its Own” (Rodzina na swoim)
This program was introduced in 2007 and lasted until 2013. Initially, it targeted young married couples and single parents, later expanding to include unmarried individuals. Beneficiaries could receive a subsidy from the Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK) equal to half of their mortgage interest during the first eight years. The amount depended on the size of the property and the prevailing interest rates. Loans were provided by commercial banks cooperating with BGK.
The program included price limits per square meter, which varied by region, and property size limits:
- Up to 140 m² for houses,
- Up to 50 or 75 m² for apartments, depending on marital status.
Single individuals could buy up to 50 m², with support applied to 30 m². Married couples or single parents could buy up to 75 m² (support up to 50 m²) or houses up to 140 m² (support up to 70 m²).
Properties could only be used for personal residential purposes.
By 2015, almost 200,000 loans had been granted under this program, at a total state budget cost of 3.2 billion PLN.
“Apartment for the Young” (Mieszkanie dla Młodych – MdM)
Launched in 2014 and active until 2018, this program offered a one-time subsidy toward the down payment for the purchase or construction of a home, provided certain conditions were met.
- Size limits: 75 m² for apartments, 100 m² for houses.
Families with at least three children could have up to 85 m² and 110 m² respectively. - Age limit: Participants could not be older than 35 years (based on the younger spouse).
- Ownership rule: Applicants could not have previously owned a property (except families with 3+ children).
- Resale restriction: Selling within 5 years required returning the subsidy.
Over 110,000 properties were purchased through MdM, costing the state about 3 billion PLN.
“Safe Mortgage 2%” (Bezpieczny Kredyt 2%)
The most recent and still technically active program, though new applications are likely no longer being accepted.
Launched on July 3, 2023, it was planned to run until 2028, but due to overwhelming demand, it was suspended early. Beneficiaries receive interest subsidies that effectively reduce their loan rate to 2%.
Eligibility conditions:
- Borrowers must be under 45 years old.
- They cannot own any residential property (with the exception of up to 50% ownership through inheritance).
- No property price limits, but there were maximum loan amounts:
- 500,000 PLN for singles,
- 600,000 PLN for couples.
- The total property price could not exceed 700,000 PLN (singles) or 800,000 PLN (couples).
- The maximum down payment was 200,000 PLN, or 400,000 PLN if including a building plot for a self-built house.
Borrowers must live in the purchased property — renting it out results in losing the subsidy.
By December 21, 2023, banks had signed 55,800 agreements under this program, with over 1 billion PLN in subsidies allocated for 2024 — the budget was already exceeded by nearly 80 million PLN before year-end 2023.
Summary
It’s clear that housing aid programs enjoy strong popularity, regardless of their structure.
They show how eagerly Polish citizens take advantage of state support, and how significant the financial scale of such programs is for the national budget.
