The real estate market in Poznań operates by its own set of rules. While cash remains king in the capital of Greater Poland, it is the credit-backed buyers who are pulling ahead when it comes to financing larger, dream apartments. What sets the Poznań housing market apart from Warsaw or the Tri-City? Purchasing power.
In the spring of this year, residents of Poznań flocked to the market, focusing primarily on pre-owned properties. Poznań currently leads the recovery in this segment. According to data from Otodom Analytics, demand for residential units on the secondary market rose by an impressive 16% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026. In March alone, the number of inquiries jumped by 15% compared to February. Simultaneously, a survey of Otodom portal users indicates that 69% of buyers in Poznań declare a clear preference for the secondary market, while apartments from developers are the first choice for only 14% of buyers. However, the most fascinating phenomenon in Poznań concerns the financing structure: 54% of all transactions are carried out primarily with cash, while 32% rely mostly on mortgages.
Is the Mortgage Buyer “Richer” Than the Investor?
Interestingly, in Warsaw and the Tri-City—where cash transactions also hold a strong position—investors using their own capital possess significantly deeper pockets. Their average budget exceeds the capacity of mortgage buyers by 138,000 PLN and 67,000 PLN, respectively.
Poznań presents the opposite scenario. Although cash dominates in terms of volume (54% of transactions), customers utilizing mortgages to finance their purchase have an average budget that is 100,000 PLN higher than those paying out of pocket.
What does this suggest?
-
Cash buyers: Often opt for smaller, relatively cheaper units—likely treating these purchases as investments.
-
Mortgage buyers: Opt for higher-end price segments and larger square footage, indicating a focus on family-oriented housing needs.
Furthermore, the generational wealth gap in Poznań is among the smallest in the country. The difference in cash availability is only 18 percentage points: 54% of buyers over age 35 pay mostly in cash, compared to 36% of younger buyers.
Mapping the “Credit Peak” in Poznań
Due to the specific nature of local budgets, the “credit peak” in Poznań is relatively narrow and shifted toward higher price points.
-
Entry-level (< 250k PLN): Mortgages finance only 6% of transactions; the rest is cash.
-
Mid-range (400k – 550k PLN): Banking finance becomes prominent, accounting for 44% of transactions.
-
High-end (850k – 1M PLN): This is where credit peaks. Half of all purchases in this premium price bracket are supported by bank loans.
“In Poznań, a mortgage pre-approval letter from a bank provides a strong negotiating position, especially if you are targeting the mid-to-high price segments of the secondary market,” explains Paweł Jarząbek, Research and Analysis Manager at Otodom. “Unlike the coastal markets or Warsaw, a credit-backed client with a budget around 600,000 PLN often dictates terms, possessing a ‘thicker’ wallet than an investor buying with their own savings.”
Disclaimer: The information contained in this publication is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial or any other type of professional advice. It is general in nature and is not directed to a specific recipient. Independent advice should be sought before using this information for any purpose.
