Thursday, 18 June 2026
The desire to own a home remains deeply rooted in Poland, with many households continuing to view property ownership as a long-term goal despite concerns about financing costs and housing affordability.
According to a recent study commissioned by ING Bank Śląski and conducted by Ipsos, 28% of Poles plan to purchase a house or apartment within the next decade. Among those considering a property purchase, 44% expect that a mortgage will be necessary to complete the transaction.
The research highlights the continued preference for ownership over renting. Nearly two-thirds of respondents said they would rather repay a mortgage than pay rent, while more than three-quarters indicated that not having their own home would be a greater concern than taking on long-term debt associated with a housing loan.
Poland remains one of the countries with the highest rates of homeownership in Europe. According to the survey, approximately 87% of residential properties are owner-occupied, significantly above the European Union average. This preference for ownership continues to shape housing aspirations across different age groups, although attitudes vary between generations.
The survey found that younger adults place less emphasis on owning property than older generations, but homeownership remains an important objective for a majority of respondents aged 18 to 29. At the same time, many young adults continue to live with their parents well into adulthood, reflecting both economic realities and changing social attitudes.
More than half of respondents from Generation Z reported living with their parents, compared with around one-quarter of millennials. While financial constraints remain a factor, the study suggests that family relationships and shared living arrangements also influence housing decisions. Among young adults who continue to live at home despite having the financial means to move out, only a minority expressed a strong desire to establish an independent household immediately.
The findings point to broader demographic trends that could affect future housing demand. Poland’s population is ageing, and researchers note that housing choices made today may not always reflect future needs. Nevertheless, only a small proportion of prospective buyers currently consider how a property will accommodate them later in life.
The study also examined changing household structures. While 8% of Poles currently live alone, that figure is expected to increase over the coming decade. Among younger respondents, the proportion anticipating single-person households is even higher. These trends may influence demand for smaller residential units and developments designed to encourage social interaction and community engagement.
Satisfaction with housing conditions remains strongest among homeowners. More than seven in ten respondents who own their homes, whether mortgage-financed or fully paid off, reported being satisfied with their current living situation. Lower levels of satisfaction were recorded among tenants and adults still living with their parents.
The results underline the continuing importance of homeownership in Poland’s housing market, even as demographic change, affordability pressures and evolving lifestyle preferences reshape residential demand. For developers, lenders and policymakers, balancing these factors is likely to remain a central challenge as the market adapts to changing household needs.
