Categories of a non-bank loan
Classic chwilówka: 100-7 200 PLN over 30-65 days. Maximum RRSO up to 295%. Firms: ChwilówkaPRO, Vivigo, Net Gotówka, Freezl, InstaFin. Instalment loan: 1 000-50 000 PLN over 6-84 months. RRSO 45-95%. Firms: Smartney, SuperGrosz, Aasa, Wonga, Provident. Property-secured loan: 30 000-300 000 PLN, RRSO 12-22%, firms: Hapi Pożyczki, Provident, Soho Credit.
RRSO inside statutory caps
The 2022 anti-usury act introduced hard caps on non-interest cost for loans up to 30 days: 25% of principal plus 30% annual default interest. For loans above 30 days: 45% of principal in year one plus 30% in each subsequent year. That means a chwilówka RRSO can't exceed roughly 295%. Every firm in the KNF register watches that line.
KNF and the lender register
Every regulated non-bank firm needs an entry in the KNF Lender Register. The register number sits on the firm's footer. If it isn't there, walk away. A company without an entry runs unlicensed lending, and your contract may be legally void.
Bank vs non-bank — when to pick what
Pick a bank if your BIK sits above 480, employment runs at least 3 months, net income exceeds 3 000 PLN. RRSO 14-22% on 10 000 PLN. Pick a non-bank if BIK is weaker, income is irregular (civil-law contract, self-employment, scholarship) or you need a smaller amount (below 5 000 PLN) the bank doesn't serve. RRSO 45-95% on instalments, up to 295% on chwilówki.
My take: order of attempts
Bank first, always. Cheaper, less paperwork, if you qualify. Non-bank instalment second, Smartney or SuperGrosz for mid amounts 3 000-30 000 PLN. Chwilówka only as a last step and only with a certain repayment date. Any other order costs you money you didn't need to spend.