Character of the lender
The business model rests on a „client funnel". The first loan is free (0% RRSO) up to 3 000 PLN over 30 days; the firm earns on later loans, where the cost hits the statutory anti-usury cap (20% of principal per 30 days plus nominal interest). Vivus 2024 stats: 42% of clients repay the first loan and return for a second within 90 days.
The application is fast. Filing on vivus.pl — decision in 5–15 minutes, same-day disbursement (as fast as 15 minutes at banks with express transfers). BIK is always pulled, but the acceptance bar is low (score 300+ on the first loan, 350+ on later ones). Identity verification via a 1 grosz transfer from the client's account to a Vivus number, matched to submitted data.
Vivus drew criticism in 2020–2022 for aggressive advertising (Facebook, YouTube, TV) aimed at young clients. After the 2022 anti-usury amendment the lender tightened criteria — acceptance dropped from 65% to 45% of applications.
Offer
- First payday loan: 100–3 000 PLN over 30 days, RRSO 0% (free)
- Later payday loan: 100–7 500 PLN, 7–65 days, non-interest cost up to statutory cap
- Instalment loan: up to 15 000 PLN, term up to 24 months, RRSO 45–65%
- Loyalty programme: discounts for on-time clients
Application process
Online application on vivus.pl in 10 minutes, instant decision on the first loan (Open Banking check). Same-day disbursement, as fast as 15 minutes at banks with express transfers (mBank, ING). Requires legal age, Polish citizenship or a residence card, an account at a Polish bank, and a mobile phone registered to the applicant.
Fits well for
- Emergency spending up to 3 000 PLN repayable from the next payslip (first free)
- Anyone needing money fast with no visits or paperwork
- Clients with lower BIK score declined by banks
Not for
- Multi-month lending — later-loan cost hits the anti-usury cap
- Clients with 3+ active payday loans — a trouble signal, Vivus usually declines
- Anyone without a reliable repayment source at the due date
Frequently asked questions
In 2026 for a 1 000 PLN, 30-day loan: about 200 PLN in non-interest costs (statutory cap) plus about 12 PLN in interest. Total 1 212 PLN to repay.
Yes, on every loan. KNF-registered lenders report to BIK since 2015. Even a repaid first-free loan sits in BIK as a closed contract.
Penalty interest (up to 20% a year), reminder fee (30–70 PLN), after 60 days an entry in BIG and KRD debt registers. After 90 days usually contract termination and external collections.