NBP reference rate

Definition. The NBP (National Bank of Poland) reference rate is the core policy rate of Polish monetary policy, set monthly by the Monetary Policy Council (RPP). It drives the pricing of NBP operations with commercial banks and, through them, WIBOR, loan pricing, deposit yields and savings account rates.

The RPP steers the rate against inflation. Hikes = expensive money = less borrowing = weaker demand = lower inflation (in theory). Cuts do the opposite. Historic peaks: 6.75% (October 2022, fighting 15%+ inflation), troughs 0.10% (April 2020, pandemic response). In June 2026 the reference rate sits at 5.25%, after a run of cuts from 6.75% in 2024–2025 as inflation cooled.

The link to higher-level rates is direct and indirect. Directly: non-interest costs on consumer loans are capped by formulas built on the NBP rate (anti-usury act), max contractual interest is 2 × NBP + 3.5 pp (civil code), max late-payment interest is 2 × NBP + 5.5 pp. Indirectly: WIBOR and WIRON react to expectations for the NBP rate; commercial banks bake NBP funding cost into their margins.

Your mortgage payment reacts to an NBP change with a 1–3 month lag, through WIBOR/WIRON. Variable-rate cash loans — the same. Deposits and savings accounts: the bank usually recalibrates promotional rates within a few weeks of the RPP decision. In practice: if the news says „RPP hikes", open your mortgage contract and recompute the new payment.

Frequently asked questions

What is the 2026 NBP reference rate?+

5.25% in June 2026. Live figure at nbp.pl in „Stopy procentowe".

Who sets the rate?+

The Monetary Policy Council (RPP) — a 10-member body chaired by the NBP President. Decision meetings run once a month.

Does the reference rate touch fixed-rate mortgages?+

During the fixed period — no. After the fixed period, when the loan flips to variable — yes, through WIBOR or WIRON.