In short
On a 520,000 zł mortgage over 30 years at 5.24%, the first equal instalment is 2,868 zł, of which 2,271 zł is interest. Half of the loan is repaid only after 21 years. With decreasing instalments half of the capital is repaid after 15 years, and total interest is 102,711 zł lower.
Balance and interest year by year
Example: 520,000 zł over 30 years at 5.24% for the whole period. The first decreasing instalment is 3,715 zł, and each next one is lower.
| After | Balance, equal | Interest paid, equal | Balance, decreasing | Interest paid, decreasing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 512,654 zł | 27,073 zł | 502,667 zł | 26,832 zł |
| 5 years | 479,112 zł | 131,206 zł | 433,333 zł | 125,076 zł |
| 10 years | 426,006 zł | 250,195 zł | 346,667 zł | 227,445 zł |
| 15 years | 357,034 zł | 353,317 zł | 260,000 zł | 307,108 zł |
| 20 years | 267,454 zł | 435,831 zł | 173,333 zł | 364,064 zł |
| 25 years | 151,108 zł | 491,580 zł | 86,667 zł | 398,313 zł |
| 30 years | 0 zł | 512,566 zł | 0 zł | 409,855 zł |
Assumptions and sources. Details
Rate: the lowest variable rate in our comparison of Polish banks on the day of the update, fixed for the whole period. No fees or insurance. Interest paid: total since the first instalment.
Equal or decreasing instalments
- Equal instalments (raty równe): the same amount every month. At the start most of it is interest, so the balance falls slowly. Capital exceeds interest only from instalment 202.
- Decreasing instalments (raty malejące): the same part of the capital every month plus interest on the balance. The first instalments are higher, which lowers your borrowing capacity, but total interest is lower.
How to read the schedule from your bank
Interest is calculated on the balance left after the previous instalment. The balance is what you would repay to close the loan or move it to another bank. Your bank calculates interest by days in the month and adds insurance, and with a variable rate it sends a new schedule after each change of the reference rate, so its numbers differ slightly from this example. On the Polish page you can create a full schedule for your own amount and download it as PDF or CSV.
Frequently asked questions
When will I have repaid half of my mortgage?
On 520,000 zł over 30 years at 5.24%: after 21 years with equal instalments and after 15 years with decreasing ones. In the first years of equal instalments you pay mostly interest.
Why is most of my instalment interest at the start?
Interest is charged on the outstanding balance, which is highest at the start. In the first equal instalment of 2,868 zł, 2,271 zł is interest. The capital part becomes larger than the interest from instalment 202.
Does the schedule change after an overpayment?
Yes. After an overpayment the bank recalculates the schedule: depending on your agreement and your request, the instalment goes down or the loan ends earlier. With a variable rate you also get a new schedule after each change of the reference rate.
Sources
- KredytPolska: lowest variable mortgage rate in the comparison of Polish banks (Polish)
- KredytPolska: repayment schedule calculator with PDF and CSV (Polish)
This guide describes general rules and typical bank practice as of October 2026. Details
It is not legal or tax advice and not a bank offer. Each bank sets its own criteria, and the lending decision is always made by the bank.
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