Accessibility loan for businesses - ex-ante audit and accessibility
The accessibility loan – what is it? At the beginning of 2024, Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego launched the project “Dostępność Plus – Europejskie pożyczki dla przedsiębiorców” (Accessibility Plus – European loans for entrepreneurs), which supports businesses in adapting their...
The accessibility loan – what is it?
At the beginning of 2024, Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego launched the project “Dostępność Plus – Europejskie pożyczki dla przedsiębiorców” (Accessibility Plus – European loans for entrepreneurs), which supports businesses in adapting their operations to accessibility requirements. Funding from the European Social Fund Plus is expected to finance around 750 investments by 2029.
Polska Fundacja Przedsiębiorczości, as the programme operator, offers businesses financing in the form of loans to improve architectural, digital and information and communication accessibility.
Ex-ante accessibility audit – a key step before the loan
To obtain the loan, a business must carry out an ex-ante audit, which identifies accessibility barriers and proposes adaptation measures. The audit pays particular attention to compliance with:
- the Accessibility Standards for Cohesion Policy 2021–2027,
- the provisions of the Act on ensuring accessibility for persons with special needs.
An ex-ante accessibility audit makes it easier to plan investments and prepare the loan application.
Our company carries out audits in line with the applicable standards. So far we have completed 8 audits for the accessibility loan. (Our most interesting architectural audits) Our auditor also prepares cost estimates for the changes you would like to make (we prepare construction cost estimates). We also help prepare a barrier removal plan. You can calculate the estimated price of an accessibility audit using our calculator.
Main loan terms:
- Loan amount: up to PLN 1 million (several loans may be taken out, provided their total value does not exceed PLN 1 million).
- Repayment period:
- up to 7 years for loans of up to PLN 500,000,
- up to 10 years for loans above PLN 500,000.
- Interest rate: 0.15% per year for the entire loan period.
- Grace period: up to 12 months from the date the loan agreement is signed.
- Write-off: up to 30% of the loan principal may be written off once certain criteria are met:
- 15% after the investment has been properly completed and the expenditure financed by the loan has been accounted for,
- a further 15% if an accessibility certificate is obtained under Article 19 of the Act of 19 July 2019 on ensuring accessibility for persons with special needs.
Use of funds:
The loan may be used for investments that improve the architectural, digital and communication and information accessibility of a business, including:
- adapting the registered office or place of business,
- changing the way or form in which the business is run,
- modifying the products and services offered by the company.
Conditions for obtaining the loan:
Before the loan is granted, an ex-ante accessibility audit must be carried out to identify accessibility barriers and propose adaptation measures. The cost of the audit can be refinanced from the loan.
How to apply for the loan:
To apply for the loan, businesses should contact the financing partners working with BGK, such as Polska Fundacja Przedsiębiorczości or Agencja Rozwoju Regionalnego „MARR” S.A.
The accessibility loan is an excellent opportunity for businesses to modernise and become more welcoming to all members of society. This way, companies can not only meet legal requirements but also become more competitive.
