Own contribution: 10% or 20%? What really changes
The minimum is usually 10% of the price, but 20% brings better terms. How big is the difference and where does the money come from?
Kready · 2026-09-05
The own contribution (wkład własny) is the part of the price you pay from your savings. Banks finance the rest.
Minimum 10%
Most banks accept a 10% own contribution. However, with less than 20% the bank's risk is higher, so it usually:
- adds a margin increase of about 0.2–0.3 percentage points, or
- requires low-contribution insurance,
until you repay the loan down to 80% of the property value.
20% and more
With 20% you avoid the extra costs, and some banks offer lower margins. Some banks also require 20% from temporary residents.
Don't forget the purchase costs
On top of the own contribution you need cash for:
- the notary and court fees,
- the 2% PCC tax (secondary market, unless it's your first home),
- the bank's fees (valuation, sometimes a commission),
- possibly the estate agent.
In practice, plan an extra 2–5% of the price.
What counts as own contribution
Savings, a plot of land for a house built on it, sometimes funds from family (documented as a gift). The money must be traceable.
The calculator shows the required contribution for each bank and the total cash you need.