How much of a contribution do you need to make in 2026 to buy a flat?

Increasingly, I see people planning to buying a flat in Gdańsk focus mainly on creditworthiness, putting off the subject of the own contribution to a later stage. It is only during the first discussions that it turns out that a positive bank decision alone is not enough to safely complete the entire transaction. In the case of flats in the Tri-City, the differences in prices are now so great that the lack of a properly prepared budget can very quickly limit the choice of property or prolong the entire purchase process.

Running real estate office in Gdansk, I regularly meet clients who have stable jobs, good incomes and a real chance of a mortgage, but they do not take into account all the costs that arise when buying a flat. The own contribution is only one part of the expenses - there are also notarial costs, the PCC tax, commissions, bank fees or funds needed for the renovation or finishing of the premises. This is particularly evident in the case of purchasing flats in Gdańsk, Gdynia and Sopot, where even a slight difference in price per square metre can have a significant impact on the amount of own funds required.

In this article, I show you how much money you realistically need to prepare in 2026, what requirements banks have today and why the minimum own contribution alone very often turns out to be insufficient when buying a property. I invite you to read on.

Table of contents

• What is the minimum contribution in 2026?
  • Is it possible to buy a flat with a 10% own contribution?
• What can be a mortgage contribution?
• What costs need to be added when buying a flat?
• Example of own contribution when buying a flat in 2026
• Does a larger deposit give better loan terms?
• FAQ - the most frequently searched questions about the 2026 contribution

What is the minimum contribution in 2026?

Currently, 20% of own contribution for a mortgage is still the market standard. This means that when buying a flat for PLN 700,000, you need to prepare around PLN 140,000 of your own funds before signing the loan agreement.

Some banks still allow financing with a 10% own contribution, but this usually comes with additional requirements. These may include:

• Insurance against low own contribution
• Higher loan margin
• Additional safeguards
• More restrictive creditworthiness analysis
• Higher total cost of credit

Until a few years ago, banks took a much easier approach to financing the purchase of a flat with a lower down-payment. In 2026, the situation is already different - financial institutions are looking much more closely at employment stability, repayment history and the level of monthly obligations.

Is it possible to buy a flat with a 10% own contribution?

Yes, however, not every customer will get this option. Banks nowadays pay more attention to the security of financing, so those with a higher own contribution usually receive more favourable mortgage terms and lower monthly instalments.

For those planning to buying a flat in Gdańsk This is particularly important as property prices in the Tricity continue to remain high. Even a small difference in interest rates can translate into tens of thousands of zlotys over the life of the loan.

What can be a mortgage contribution?

Many people mistakenly assume that an own contribution must mean only cash accumulated in a bank account. In fact, banks also allow other forms of security for part of the financing.

The most commonly accepted are:

• Savings
• PPK funds
• Building plot
• Family donation
• Funds from the sale of a previous flat
• Deposit paid to the developer

In the case of more complex situations, a prior analysis of the total cost of the property purchase is of great importance. Our agents always help to assess not only the price of the flat itself, but also all the expenses that arise before the loan is activated.

What costs need to be added when buying a flat?

This is one of the elements that most often surprises buyers. The own contribution is not the only expense that arises when buying a property.

In addition to the funds required by the bank, you also need to take into account:

1. Notary costs.
2. PCC tax on the secondary market.
3. Estate agency commission.
4. Bank charges.
5. Finishing or renovating a flat.
6. Property amenities.
7. Removal costs.

Example of own contribution when buying a flat in 2026

Housing price	10% own contribution	20% own contribution	PCC on the secondary market	Estimated notary and court costs	Indicative amount needed to start
PLN 500,000	PLN 50,000	PLN 100,000	PLN 10 000	approx. PLN 2,500-4,000	approx. PLN 62,500-114,000
PLN 700,000	PLN 70 000	PLN 140,000	PLN 14,000	approx. PLN 3,000-4,500	approx. PLN 87 000-158 500
PLN 900 000	PLN 90 000	PLN 180,000	PLN 18,000	approx. PLN 3,500-5,500	approx. PLN 111,500-203,500
PLN 1 100 000	PLN 110,000	PLN 220,000	PLN 22,000	approx. PLN 4,500-6,500	approx. PLN 136,500-248,500
PLN 1 300 000	PLN 130 000	PLN 260,000	PLN 26,000	approx. PLN 5,000-7,500	approx. 161 000-293 500 zł

Does a larger deposit give better loan terms?

Definitely yes, and I see this very clearly when I talk to clients planning to buying a flat in Gdańsk. Those with a larger own contribution usually receive more favourable financing terms, lower interest rates and greater freedom in choosing a property. The bank then looks at the whole transaction in a much safer way, which often translates not only into a lower mortgage instalment, but also into lower overall costs over several or several decades.

I have been in the business for years and I often come across situations in which clients initially focus solely on the price of the flat and only later start to analyse the real costs of financing and the amount of money needed to get started. When buying a property, it is nowadays of paramount importance to calmly calculate the entire budget - not only the own contribution, but also notarial costs, taxes, finishing or later loan instalments. A well-prepared financial plan gives you much more comfort when buying a flat and avoids many problems after the signing of the notarial deed.

If you are planning to buy a property and want to safely go through the whole process of financing and selecting a flat, feel free to contact me with our team.

+48 783 187 968 (Gdansk)
+48 884 843 118 (Gdynia)
biuro@radomskinieruchomosci.pl

FAQ - the most frequently searched questions about the 2026 contribution

1. how much of an equity contribution do you need to have for a flat in 2026?

Most banks now require 20% of the value of the property, although some institutions still accept 10% of equity contribution with additional collateral. However, the final conditions depend on creditworthiness, income and the type of property being purchased.

2. is it possible to get a mortgage without a deposit?

Standard mortgages without a contribution are practically non-existent, as the bank needs to limit the risk of financing the purchase of a home. In some situations, part of the contribution can be replaced by additional collateral or programmes to support the purchase of the first property.

3. What does the bank recognise as an own contribution?

Most often, these are savings accumulated in an account, but the bank may also accept a building plot, funds from PPK or a donation from the immediate family. Each case is analysed individually when assessing the loan application.

4. does a higher own contribution reduce the loan instalment?

Yes, because the client then borrows a smaller amount from the bank. A larger own contribution often also means a more favourable interest rate and a lower total cost of the mortgage.

5. how much money do you realistically need to prepare to buy a flat?

In addition to the own contribution itself, one also has to take into account notary costs, PCC tax, commissions, bank fees and funds needed for the renovation or finishing of the property. When buying a flat in the Tricity, the total amount needed often turns out to be much higher than buyers initially assume.