Expert: Poland’s entry into eurozone could lower mortgage costs
22:39
Joining the eurozone could improve housing affordability in Poland mainly by lowering mortgage costs, according to Damian Tomasik, CEO of Alter Investment. He argues that the key issue is not only apartment prices, but monthly loan payments.
Polish mortgage rates are currently around 5-6%, compared with roughly 3-4% in many eurozone countries. For a family buying an PLN 800,000 apartment with a PLN 640,000 mortgage over 30 years, a rate of 5.8% means a monthly payment of about PLN 3,755. At 3.2%, the payment would fall to around PLN 2,768, saving nearly PLN 1,000 per month.
Lower rates would also raise creditworthiness. The same monthly payment could support a loan of about PLN 868,000, instead of PLN 640,000.
However, Tomasik warns that the euro alone would not solve the housing problem. Cheaper credit without greater supply could push prices higher. Lasting improvement would require more housing, faster administrative procedures, better planning, and greater access to investment land.
