The updated rules of the National Bank of Slovakia (NBS) governing mortgage lending will come into effect on 1 January 2027. They were originally scheduled to take effect in October 2026, but banks requested additional time to prepare their internal systems and processes.
The changes will introduce more favourable conditions for people under 35 buying their first home. Once the new rules take effect, borrowers who have sufficient income will be able to obtain a mortgage covering up to 90% of the property’s value.
The measure applies specifically to a person’s first home. The current standard NBS limit is 80% of the value of the property used as collateral. Banks can already provide mortgages covering up to 90% of a property’s value, but such loans are subject to a limited quota and may account for no more than 20% of newly issued mortgages.
At the same time, the NBS will introduce stricter requirements for people purchasing a third or subsequent residential property. Buyers will need to provide at least 30% of the purchase price from their own funds, meaning the mortgage will be able to cover a maximum of 70% of the property’s value.
When determining how many properties a borrower already owns, banks will consider residential real estate located in Slovakia. They will be able to verify ownership through the country’s land registry. Shares in jointly owned properties will also count if the borrower owns at least 50% of the property. Real estate located abroad, however, will not be taken into account.
The new rules will apply to residential properties that can be used for living, primarily apartments and houses. Land plots will not be included in the calculation. An unfinished building will also not count if the mortgage is being taken out specifically to finance its construction.
