As reference interest rates continue to decrease and banks adhere to the government-mandated interest rate cap, housing loans have gradually become more affordable over the past year. In January, the total APR for loan agreements was at most 7.3%. However, due to market competition, even cheaper loans were available, according to a statement by the financial website Bank360.hu. A year ago, the total APR was still around 10%.

For housing loans worth ten million Hungarian forints, individuals with average salaries can find APRs ranging between 6.71–7.3%, Bank360.hu's housing loan calculator reveals. The portal considers an average salary to be the net monthly wage of 375,300 forints as calculated by the Hungarian Central Statistical Office. Three years ago, similar loan values bore APRs of around 4% for average salaries at the time, with a 20-year term. It's important to note that the average salary then was significantly lower, at 264,200 forints.

In January 2021, ten-year fixed-rate housing loans with a fixed interest rate and monthly repayment for ten years were available at an APR of 3.99%, with monthly repayments amounting to 60,177 forints. Over the term, the total repayment (including principal, interest, and other charges) was 14,442,480 forints, says Bank360. Those who opted for a fixed interest rate for the full term faced higher costs such loans had an APR of 5.14% three years ago, leading to monthly repayments of 65,813 forints and a total repayable amount of 15,844,470 forints.

Currently, without any extra discounts, individuals earning an average salary can apply for a ten million forint housing loan at the best-case APR of 6.71%, resulting in monthly repayments of 74,492 forints. Over a 20-year term, the total repayment amount will be 17,897,280 forints. Compared to three years ago, the current loan terms represent a 14,000-forint higher monthly repayment and a 3.4 million forint increase in the total repayment amount.

Substantial Savings with "Plusz" Loan

Bank360 reports that the most affordable housing loan currently on the market is the CSOK Plusz credit introduced in 2024, designed to be available for use in all municipalities, and capping the interest rate at 3%.

For married couples willing to commit to having new children, during the first year of a CSOK Plusz loan, only interest payments are required amounting to monthly payments of 24-25 thousand forints. From the second year onwards, with a ten million forint loan amount and a 20-year term, the monthly repayment will be between 57-58 thousand forints. According to the Bank360.hu CSOK Plusz calculator, the total repayment over the term will be between 13.3-13.6 million forints. This is 4.3-4.6 million forints less than the total repayment required for a ten-million forint market-rate housing loan over 20 years by an average debtor.