Thousands of Poles are holding onto old PRL-era housing passbooks, with a new petition to the President now seeking to unlock average payouts of 21,400 PLN for those currently ineligible.
The Enduring Legacy of PRL Savings
Many Poles still possess housing passbooks issued before October 24, 1990, documents once considered worthless but now potentially eligible for a guarantee premium. As of 2025, the average payout is approximately 21,400 PLN, though the actual amount varies significantly based on individual savings history.
Approximately 962,000 such passbooks remain in circulation. For many, these documents serve as a reminder of the economic hardships following Poland’s political transformation, while for others, they represent a potential source of funding for renovations or property repairs.
Historical Context and Economic Value
During the 1970s and 80s, these passbooks were the primary state-sanctioned method for families to save for cooperative apartments or homes. Hyperinflation after the systemic shift eroded the value of these savings, leading the state to introduce a guarantee premium mechanism to compensate depositors.
The premium is calculated by PKO BP based on statutory formulas that account for total deposits, the length of the savings period, and official construction cost metrics. It is not a flat-rate payment; specific sums depend entirely on the individual account’s documented history.
A New Push for Policy Reform
A petition submitted to the President of Poland on February 6, 2026, by a 66-year-old pensioner, argues that current payout regulations violate the principle of trust in the state. The author contends that many elderly citizens are effectively barred from accessing their funds because they cannot afford the required property purchases or major renovations.
The proposal seeks to allow the payment of the guarantee premium without the current strict requirements for residential investment. This would provide relief to seniors who saved money in good faith but lack the means to undertake large-scale construction projects today.
Navigating the Payout Process
To access the funds, passbooks must be registered at a bank, primarily PKO BP, which has been mandatory since January 19, 2021. Registration does not forfeit rights but is essential for processing a formal application for liquidation and payout.
Lost documents do not necessarily extinguish the right to the premium. If the account history can be verified through PKO BP’s records, the bank may authorize the cancellation of the old document and the issuance of a duplicate, allowing the claimant to proceed with the payout process.
