Fact or Fiction: Does a Mortgage Agent Make Mortgages in Poland More Expensive?

At mortgage planning in Poland Many clients, especially foreigners, ask the same question:
Should I apply for a mortgage myself or through a lending agent?

And almost always this is followed by fear:

«"If I use a loan agent, the mortgage will be more expensive."»

This is one of the most persistent myths on real estate market and mortgage lending. In this longread, we'll take a detailed look, where is the truth and where is the fallacy, how the mortgage market actually works in Poland and why in reality an agent often helps save money, and not overpay.

Where did this myth come from?

The client's logic is clear and human:

• there is a bank
• there is an intermediary
• the intermediary must make money somehow

So, according to the feeling:
👉 «"If there's an agent, someone will pay for it, which means the mortgage will become more expensive."»

In some countries, this logic actually works.
But The mortgage market in Poland is structured differently.

How are mortgage rates determined in Poland?

To understand whether an agent influences the price, you need to understand, What does the cost consist of? mortgage loan.

The main elements of a mortgage:

• interest rate
• bank margin
• rate type (fixed/floating)
• loan term
• compulsory insurance

❗ All these parameters sets up a bank, and not a credit agent.

Agent:

• does not change the percentage
• does not add a commission
• does not affect the bank's calculations

Client always signs a contract directly with the bank.

Who pays the loan agent in Poland?

This is the key point that destroys the myth.

In Poland:

• the bank pays the loan agent
• client does not pay the agent for the mortgage
• agent's remuneration is part of the bank's marketing expenses

For the bank:

• agent = source of trained clients
• The agent reduces the number of errors and failures
• The agent saves bank employees' time

That's why the bank does not shift the agent's cost to the client.

Does an agent make a mortgage more expensive? The honest answer

👉 No, it doesn't.

In a standard situation:

• A mortgage through an agent costs exactly the same, how much directly from the bank
• and very often - cheaper, due to a better selection of conditions

Important: agent has no way to "wind up" the percentage.

Why getting a mortgage through an agent is often more profitable

This is where the fun begins.

1. The agent compares several banks simultaneously

Regular customer:

• goes to 1-2 banks
• compares conditions "by eye"«

Agent:

• knows the current offers 10–15 banks
• sees real conditions, not advertising
• understands where the bank is more flexible to your particular situation

2. The agent selects a bank based on creditworthiness

Not every bank evaluates equally:

• foreigners
• umowa zlecenie
• short experience
• family situation

The agent knows:

• Which bank should I go to first?
• where the chance of approval is higher
• where the conditions will be better

3. The agent helps improve conditions

Sometimes the difference between "will do" and "will not do" is:

• closed credit card
• change of term
• correct income structure

These details:

• reduce the bank's risks
• improve mortgage terms

Can the agent cause harm? When should you be careful?

Honest and transparent - yes, Not every agent is equally professional..

You should be wary if:

• The agent takes money from the client for the mortgage
• works only with one bank
• does not explain the conditions
• promises a "100% guarantee"«

Professional agent:

• explains the risks
• speaks honestly, if it's too early now
• works in the interests of the client, not the bank

Self-Payment Mortgages: Where Clients Mostly Lose Money

Applying for a mortgage without an agent doesn't automatically make it cheaper.
But it often leads to errors:

• submitting an application without preparation
• a refusal that worsens your credit profile
• choosing a bank with the worst conditions
• acceptance of the first proposed bid

Sometimes the difference is in the conditions:
👉 tens of thousands of zlotys for the entire term of the mortgage

Especially important for foreigners

For foreigners, mortgages in Poland are more difficult due to:

• documents
• contracts
• income nuances
• risk assessments

Agent:

• knows which banks actually lend to foreigners
• helps to prepare documents correctly
• reduces the risk of failure

Bottom line: truth or myth?

👉 MYTH.

Credit agent does not make the mortgage more expensive.
In reality, it is more often:

• helps to get a mortgage
• improves conditions
• saves time and money

Especially if the mortgage is:

• first experience in Poland
• foreign client
• difficult financial situation

Our position and approach

As real estate professionals, we have a direct interest in the mortgage was obtained.

Very often a mortgage is:
👉 a journey of 6-12 months, and not just one visit to the bank.

We:

• We assess the real mortgage creditworthiness
• let's speak honestly, if it's too early now
• we suggest what to improve
• We support the client from preparation to the bank's decision

Our goal is not just a mortgage, A mortgage on the best possible terms.