Cash and mortgages – real expenses without illusions

Buying an apartment in Poland is not just about the price in the advert.
Very often, buyers only consider the cost of the property and are then surprised by the additional costs.

In this article we will analyze honestly and without water:
How much money do you really need to Buy an apartment in Poland in 2026.

Let's divide everything into 2 situations:

• cash purchase
• purchase with a mortgage

This will help you prepare your budget in advance and avoid unpleasant surprises.

🏠 Buying an apartment for cash in Poland

What expenses are there besides the price of the apartment?

If you buy an apartment in cash, the process is the simplest.
But in addition to the cost of the property, you need to prepare additional money.

Let's go through it point by point.

1. Tax PCC 2% - not always!

This is the main additional cost when purchasing.

PCC tax (podatek od czynności cywilnoprawnych) — 2% from the cost of the apartment.

But it is NOT always paid.

You pay PCC if:

• you buy second and subsequent apartments
• You are buying an apartment on the secondary market and this is not your first property.

You do NOT pay PCC if:

• This your first apartment in Poland
• you buy new building from the developer

📌 Example:
The apartment costs 500,000 zł
PCC = 10,000 zł

2. Notary is a mandatory expense

Purchase is impossible without a notary.

The cost depends on:

• cities
• apartment prices
• complexity of the transaction
• number of sides

On average:
2,000 – 4,000 zł

Advice from a realtor's practice

Before choosing a notary, send the transaction details to 2-3 notaries and ask for a cost estimate.

Nobody forbids you to choose.
Prices may differ by as much as 1000 zł.

Choose:

• the best price
• fast turnaround times
• normal communication

3. Real estate services in Poland

If you have used the services real estate agent.

In Poland the commission is usually:
1% – 3% of the apartment price

But it is important to understand:

• the price is always negotiable
• you can bargain
• high commission ≠ high service

Sometimes an agent for 1% works better than one for 3%.

4. After purchase: maintenance costs

After the transaction, the usual expenses begin:

• real estate tax (podatek od nieruchomości)
• czynsz (house administration)
• utility bills
• repairs and furniture

But these are no longer expenses for purchase, but for living.

💳 Buying an apartment with a mortgage in Poland

How much money is needed in 2026?

Purchase on credit requires more money at the start.

Let's look at the actual costs.

1. Initial payment (wkład własny)

Minimum:
10% of the apartment price

But better:
20%

Why?

At 20%:

• more banks to choose from
• better conditions
• lower percentage
• higher chance of approval

With 10% the choice of banks is very limited.

2. RKM Program (contribution guarantee)

It is possible to purchase without making a down payment -
through the Deposit Guarantee Program (RKM).

But:

• there are restrictions
• not all banks participate
• there are price limits

I wrote about the program in detail in other blog articles.

3. Bank valuation of real estate

The bank always makes an appraisal of the apartment.

Price:
400 – 800 zł

Depends on:

• jar
• cities
• type of real estate

Payment is usually made before the loan is issued.

4. Property insurance

A mandatory requirement for a mortgage.

Price:
from 300 zł per year and up

Depends on:

• cost of the apartment
• area
• insurance company

Paid once a year.

5. Life and unemployment insurance

Often a mandatory requirement of the bank.

On average:
100–200 zł per month

It is written off automatically along with the loan payment.

6. Bank commission (prowizja)

It's less common now, but it does happen.

Size:
5,000 – 10,000 zł
sometimes more

Depends on the bank and the promotion.

That's why it's important to work with a credit expert —
He compares all banks and finds the best offer.

7. Notary fees for mortgages

At purchase on credit The notary has additional records:

• making a mortgage payment księga wieczysta
• additional acts

These are small amounts, but they exist.

Usually:
+200–600 PLN to the notary

📊 Bottom line: how much money do you need for an apartment in Poland?

It is important to distinguish:
down payment и actual transaction costs - these are different types of money.

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🏠 Cash purchase

If you are buying an apartment without a loan, in addition to the price of the property, you will need to pledge:

approximately 1% – 5% on top of the apartment price

This amount includes:

• notary
• PCC 2% tax (if this is not the first property)
• realtor commission (if you use the services)

📌 Example
Apartment 500,000 zł
Additionally, you must have:
5,000 – 25,000 zł

If it’s your first apartment or a new building, the costs will be closer to the lower limit.

💳 Buying an apartment with a mortgage

There are two blocks of money here.

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1️⃣ Down payment (wkład własny)

This is not an expense - this is your money for the apartment.

• minimum 10%
• comfortable 20%

📌 Apartment 500,000 zł
Contribution:

• 10% → 50,000 zł
• 20% → 100,000 zł

The larger the deposit, the better the loan terms.

2️⃣ Actual costs of purchase and loan

In addition to the contribution, you need to have approximately:

1% – 6% of the apartment price

This amount may include:

• notary
• real estate valuation by a bank
• property insurance
• life insurance
• bank payments
• mortgage record
• PCC 2% tax (if not the first property and secondary market)
• realtor commission (1–3%, if you use the services)

📌 Example
Apartment 500,000 zł

Expenses:
5,000 – 30,000 zł

• down payment separately

💡 Advice from a realtor in Poland

The most common mistake buyers make is to consider only the price of the apartment.

The right approach:
First calculate the full budget, then go look at housing.

This saves:

• time
• nerve
• money

📞 Need help buying an apartment in Poland?

If you are planning buying an apartment in Poland
(for cash or in credit) - write to me.

I will help:

• calculate a realistic budget
• choose a bank
• check the apartment
• conduct a transaction safely

Buying real estate is easy,
If there are the right people nearby.