Study shows 49% of Poles used extra services with loans in two years, as credit law changes loom.
Rise of Value Added Services
A Forum Konsumentów survey via Opinia 24 reveals 49% of Poles aged 25-60 used additional services with loans, bank accounts, appliances, or travel packages in the past two years. Providers successfully market these Value Added Services (VAS).
VAS are optional add-ons from banks, lenders, or retailers, extending core offerings like loans. Common types include insurance, medical packages, education, legal advice, and training.
VAS Appeal in Smaller Towns
While bundled services seem redundant in major cities, they address multiple needs simultaneously for residents of smaller towns. Insurance/finance agents may only be available sporadically, making bundled offers convenient and cost-effective.
Through intermediaries, consumers gain access to tailored services—like private healthcare—that they couldn’t secure individually.
Medical Packages Lead Demand
Private medical packages are the most sought-after VAS, used by 43% of surveyed Poles aged 25-60. Sixty percent see value in acquiring them with other agreements like loans.
Consumer distrust in state healthcare drives demand; 63% praise private care accessibility, and 60% approve of short wait times. Only 25% have employer-provided medical coverage.
Insurance and Education Dominance
Insurance is the top choice among VAS users, selected by 67%. Educational services, particularly online language courses, are also popular, with 15% using them in the last two years and 91% reporting high satisfaction.
Streaming Services and Market Shifts
Streaming services are common VAS, encountered by 47% of respondents, reflecting younger generations’ shift from linear TV.
Proposed changes to the Consumer Credit Act could stall the VAS market’s growth for years by focusing on over-regulation instead of key consumer priorities like voluntary choices, transparency, and cost caps.
Regulatory Critique
The draft law could favor insurance products over subscription-based services, disrupting market balance and weakening competition. Insurance—often unused but high-margin—differs from subscription services offering immediate benefits.
Critics argue Article 17’s ban on non-financial VAS exceeds EU requirements (gold-plating), potentially harming consumers by limiting choices and reducing competition in favor of insurers.
