Where can I find student loan providers in Poland for 2026?

• Income criterion: This is the most important parameter. Every year, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education sets the maximum income per person in the student’s family that entitles them to receive a loan. In 2026, due to inflation rates and the increase in the minimum wage, this threshold is regularly indexed. You need to check the current announcement, which is usually published before the start of the academic year.
• Collection period: Funds are paid out for 10 months in an academic year. You can apply for a loan for the entire period of study or for the rest of it.

Available tranche amounts in 2026:

In 2026, the student has the opportunity to choose the amount of the monthly payment, which allows them to adjust the financing to real needs (e.g. paying for a room in Podgórze or tuition fees at a private university). You can choose from four amounts:

• PLN 400 (basic tranche low),
• PLN 600 (standard tranche),
• PLN 800 (increased tranche),
• PLN 1000 (maximum tranche).

It is possible to change the amount of the tranche during the term of the loan agreement by submitting an annex to the bank.

Loan guarantee: The role of BGK and the student’s opportunities

Many students in Krakow face the problem of not having sufficient creditworthiness of their parents or guardians, which is necessary to establish guarantors. In 2026, the BGK surety system is a key facilitation.

How to secure a loan without high income of parents?

1. BGK surety: If your income per person in the family does not exceed a certain limit, you can apply for a 100% guarantee from Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego. This means that the state takes on the risk of repayment in the event of your insolvency.
2. ARiMR guarantee: It concerns students living in rural areas, which is important for many people studying at the University of Agriculture in Krakow who came from smaller towns in Małopolska.
3. Private guarantors: They can be family members (e.g. working siblings) with a fixed income accepted by the bank (e.g. PKO BP or Pekao S.A.).

The specifics of student loan repayment in 2026

The biggest advantage of a student loan, which distinguishes it from commercial offers in Krakow, is the deferred repayment mechanism.

Repayment schedule:

• Grace period: You do not start repaying the principal until 2 years after graduation. This is the time to find stable employment, e.g. in Krakow corporations in Czyżyny or Zabłocie.
• Number of installments: By default, the number of installments is twice the number of tranches disbursed. If you have taken out a loan for 5 years (50 tranches), you will repay it for 100 months (more than 8 years).
• Interest rate: In 2026, it is half of the rediscount rate of NBP bills of exchange. It is the cheapest capital available to young people in Poland.

Loan forgiveness – a reward for academic results in Krakow

Krakow’s universities present a high academic level, which you can use to avoid loan repayment in whole or in part. In 2026, the redemption system is very precise.

Redemption thresholds for top graduates:

If you graduate in the group of the best graduates of a given university (e.g. Jagiellonian University or AGH), the Ministry provides for the following discounts:

• 50% redemption – for the top 1% of graduates,
• 35% redemption – for people in the range of 1.01% to 5% of the best graduates,
• 20% redemption – for people in the range of 5.01% to the top 10% of graduates.

You apply for remission after graduation, submitting a certificate from the university to the bank about your place on the list of the best graduates. In addition, in difficult life situations or complete incapacity for work, the loan can be 100% written off at the borrower’s request.

Cost of living in Krakow in 2026 and the need for credit

When analyzing the market in 2026, the cost of renting a room in Krakow (districts such as the Old Town or Grzegórzki) often exceeds PLN 1500. To this should be added the costs of MPK Kraków (semester ticket) and food.

Why is a loan of PLN 1000 per month crucial?

Even if you receive a social or scientific scholarship at AGH, an additional PLN 1000 from the loan allows you to:

• Covering the cost of accommodation in a standard higher than a dormitory,
• Investment in certified courses and teaching materials,
• Avoiding the need to work full-time, which in 2026 with demanding engineering or medical study programs is key to maintaining a high average (necessary for loan forgiveness).

Specific tips for loan applicants in 2026

To ensure that the funding process goes smoothly, you need to stick to the following list of practical actions:

• Download Student Status Certificate: This must include your planned graduation date. You can download this document at the dean’s office of your university (Jagiellonian University, AGH, PK, etc.).
• Calculate family income: Add up the net income of all family members from the year preceding the year of application. Be sure to include loss or gain in income.
• Apply before December 31st: Although the call lasts a whole year, submitting your application by the end of December guarantees payment with compensation from October.
• Choose a bank with online access: In 2026, PKO BP and Pekao S.A. offer advanced mobile applications through which you can send scans of your student ID card (necessary to confirm your status every semester).
• Take care of the guarantors in advance: If you are not eligible for a 100% BGK surety, make sure that your guarantors have up-to-date certificates of earnings or pension.
• Monitor your bank email: In 2026, communication is mainly digital. Deficiencies in documentation result in the suspension of the processing of the application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take out a student loan if I study part-time in Krakow?

Yes. The 2026 student loan is available regardless of the mode of study (full-time or part-time). The amount of the tranche and the terms of repayment are identical for both groups.

What happens to my credit if I am removed from the student list?

The payment of tranches is suspended immediately after the bank receives information about the loss of student status. Repayment of the principal begins from the next month after the deletion, without a grace period.

Is the 2026 student loan paid out during the holidays?

No. Tranches are disbursed for 10 months in an academic year (October to July). In August and September, the student does not receive funds.

Can I pay off my student loan early?

Yes, you have the right to repay all or part of the principal early at any time. Banks such as PKO BP or Pekao S.A. do not charge additional commissions or fees for this in 2026.

Does income from casual work in Krakow count towards the income criterion?

Yes, your income from mandate or employment contracts (e.g. in gastronomy in Kazimierz) is included in your family income, which may affect your entitlement to BGK’s guarantee.

Does a student loan affect my credit score in the future?

Yes, it is visible in the Credit Information Bureau (BIK). However, due to its very low installments and preferential nature, it is usually not a major obstacle to getting a mortgage after college, as long as you pay it off on time.

Where can I submit paper documents in Krakow?

The main branches of PKO BP (e.g. at Szczepański Square) and Pekao S.A. (e.g. at Szpitalna Street) have dedicated stands for individual customers servicing preferential loans.

Summary and action recommendation

A student loan in 2026 is the most stable form of financial support for people studying in Krakow. Thanks to low service costs and a real chance of writing off part of the debt with high results at the Jagiellonian University or AGH, this loan is an investment in the comfort of learning. It is crucial to choose a bank with an extensive digital and physical infrastructure in Krakow, which will facilitate the formalities related to monthly confirmation of student status.

Act now: Check your income per person in the family, prepare a certificate from the dean’s office and submit your application online or at a PKO BP or Pekao S.A. branch before the end of the current semester to ensure financial liquidity for the entire academic year 2026/2027.