The average delinquent borrower in Poland is currently struggling with overdue credit and non-credit obligations totalling PLN 34,477. While this average figure is alarming on its own, it conceals a wide spectrum of financial distress that illustrates how easily individuals fall into a debt spiral.
An analysis by BIG InfoMonitor and BIK reveals that although the largest overdue amounts stem from long-term bank loans, the far more common early warning signs come from small but widespread unpaid non-credit debts. Particularly troubling is that over 405,000 Poles are simultaneously behind on both categories, signalling a deeply rooted and compounding financial crisis.
Key Findings
- The average delinquent borrower owes PLN 34,477 in overdue credit and non-credit debt.
- Unpaid alimony is the biggest non-credit burden, with an average overdue amount of PLN 58,607.
- More than 405,000 Poles have concurrent problems repaying both credit and non-credit obligations.
Credit Giants: Mortgages, Consumer Loans, and the First Cracks
Bank loans remain one of the biggest sources of indebtedness — they push the national average upwards due to the growing popularity and value of consumer loans. At the top of the list are mortgage loans, with an average overdue amount of PLN 262,566, making them the biggest threat to household stability.
Next are consumer loans, with an average overdue balance of PLN 27,410, often taken out to repay older debts — a tell-tale sign of the classic debt spiral, where new credit is used to cover old obligations.
And what is usually the first quiet alarm bell?
Credit cards and overdraft limits, whose average overdue amount is the lowest — PLN 5,597. Although small, these debts suggest shrinking financial reserves and declining budget flexibility.
The Social Side of Debt
Non-credit debts are statistically smaller (average: PLN 24,349), but their social impact is far greater. The most concerning category is unpaid alimony, with a staggering average overdue amount of PLN 58,607 — a reflection of years of avoided responsibility, the consequences of which fall squarely on the most vulnerable: children and their guardians. This is not just a financial problem but a profound ethical failure.
“Beyond alimony debts, other non-credit obligations also stand out — particularly those linked to enforcement titles (PLN 14,645) and debts already in collections (PLN 12,487). These amounts indicate that the borrower is in an advanced stage of debt recovery proceedings. Instead of solving the issue, many fall into a cycle of frustration that makes it even harder to regain financial balance. The key to breaking the spiral is to contact the creditor early and agree on a realistic repayment plan, while gradually rebuilding a financial cushion,”
says Paweł Szarkowski, President of BIG InfoMonitor.
Low-Value Warning Signs
On the opposite end of the scale are small but frequent debts that act as early indicators of financial trouble. Unpaid telecom bills (PLN 3,807) or even fare evasion fines (PLN 308) can, when ignored, quickly lead to registry entries marking one as a debtor.
These “small” amounts often trigger a chain reaction — limiting access to bank credit and forcing borrowers into much more expensive non-bank loans, closing the loop of the debt spiral.
“At one extreme, we see high long-term credit obligations, especially mortgages, which are the biggest threat to financial stability. At the other, we observe a growing social crisis around unpaid alimony. Between these extremes, a seemingly modest spiral develops — small unpaid bills, rent arrears, growing credit card debts, and consumer loans. These smaller amounts are often the spark that pushes borrowers toward costly non-bank financing,”
explains Paweł Szarkowski.
Breaking the Debt Spiral: What Should Borrowers Do?
The phenomenon of excessive indebtedness in Poland is clearly visible and often difficult to escape. To minimise risk, financial awareness is essential.
“This means keeping a detailed household budget to detect liquidity gaps early. Regularly reviewing expenses and cutting unnecessary ones can significantly improve financial stability over time — even small savings matter. Above all, borrowers should prioritise timely payment of even the smallest obligations. Responsible borrowing must always be preceded by an honest assessment of repayment capacity. If problems arise, the most important thing is quick action: contacting the creditor and negotiating payment terms instead of resorting to new loans that only deepen the crisis,”
says Szarkowski.
The Scale of the Problem
As of the end of September, 2.45 million consumers in the BIG InfoMonitor and BIK databases had overdue debts, and over 405,000 of them had both credit and non-credit arrears simultaneously.
