One-Third of Poles Behind on Bills — Why It Matters

25 March 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

Survey finds one-third of Poles behind on bills, driven by rising housing costs and income pressure. Learn what expats should know.

A new survey shows one-third of Poles behind on bills. This result signals household strain rather than laziness.

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one-third of Poles behind on bills: what the survey found

Inquiry polled 1,019 adults in February 2026 for Nieruchomosci-online.pl. Consequently, 34 percent reported at least one delayed housing payment in the last year. Moreover, the delays vary in length. For 18 percent, delays lasted a few days. Ten percent missed a month. Four percent delayed by two to three months. Two percent had arrears longer than a quarter. Therefore, the small share with long delays risks collection actions and contract terminations. In addition, the absolute numbers translate to millions of people across Poland.

Who misses payments and why it matters

Age shapes the pattern strongly. Young adults aged 18 to 24 reported the highest short-term delays. However, this group usually has low incomes and rents in big cities. Conversely, 76 percent of those over 55 pay on time. Yet respondents aged 45 to 54 showed more long delays. This group often supports children, parents, and mortgage payments. Consequently, one shock can push them into sustained arrears. Moreover, mortgage payments rank highest in payment priority. People pay loans first, then energy and heating. They postpone internet, TV, and waste fees. Therefore, the ranking mirrors the fear of severe consequences like disconnection or credit record damage. For context, BIK is the Polish Credit Information Bureau, similar to a credit bureau elsewhere.

Stress, macro signals and local costs

Nearly half of respondents say bills cause stress. This stress appears across ages. Moreover, it persists despite improving macro indicators in 2025. Real wages rose, and inflation eased. However, housing costs and utility price rises outpaced many incomes. In addition, subsidies and government shields faded in recent seasons. Consequently, large cities feel the strain most. Rent and mortgage shares of income often reach 30 to 50 percent there. Therefore, many households live with constant budget uncertainty.

Policy and market forces both play roles. Energy and heating bills rose after support schemes expired. Moreover, maintenance costs for buildings increased. Lenders also extended mortgages to younger borrowers near capacity. Consequently, a single unexpected expense can cause short-term arrears. Cultural shifts matter too. Older generations view arrears as shameful. Younger people often treat short delays as liquidity management. However, the outcomes can still harm credit records and access to future loans.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: If you live in Poland, contact your provider early when you foresee trouble. Many energy firms and housing cooperatives accept negotiated plans. Similarly, banks may offer mortgage holidays. For municipal help contact Miejski Ośrodek Pomocy Społecznej (MOPS). Note Polish terms: ZUS is the Social Insurance Institution, NFZ is the National Health Fund, PESEL is your national ID number. Keep records of communications and ask for written agreements. If you rent, read your lease carefully and know who bills utilities. Therefore, acting early reduces risks to your residence and credit record.

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