How to Save for a Mortgage Down Payment in Kazakhstan (2026)
The down payment is the main barrier to owning your own apartment. Here is how much the 2026 programs require and how to collect the amount from three sources: Otbasy Bank, a regular deposit and pension savings.
Up to date as of October 2026. Rules change — check the regulator's website before you act.
Banks and mortgages are regulated by the ARDFM (Kazakhstan's financial market regulator), and interest rates by the National Bank (nationalbank.kz). Deposits in participating banks, including Otbasy Bank, are insured by the KDIF (kdif.kz), and pension savings are held at ENPF (enpf.kz).
How much you need to save
| Program | Down payment | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| "Nauryz", "Nauryz Zhumysker" | From 10% (new build with finishing), from 20% in other cases | 7% or 9% |
| Otbasy "Otau" | From 20% | 7% or 9% |
| "7-20-25" | From 20%, new builds only | 7% |
| Commercial mortgage | Usually from 20% | From 18–19% per year |
Data as of 17.09.2026. Example: for an apartment costing 25 million tenge, a 20% down payment is 5 million. From January 1, 2027, the maximum rate will depend on the down payment: with 30% or more — no higher than 20%, with less — up to 25%. The mortgage calculator will work out your loan payment.
Source 1: Otbasy Bank
- State bonus — 20% on deposits of up to 200 MCI (monthly calculation index) a year. In 2026 that is 865,000 tenge, with a maximum bonus of 173,000 tenge.
- Each depositor has their own limit. A family of four with four deposits can receive up to 692,000 tenge a year.
- Deadline. To get the bonus for 2026, the money must be deposited by December 31. The bonus is credited in 2027, by March 1.
- Conditions. The bonus is only for citizens of Kazakhstan and only on one deposit per person. If you close the deposit before 3 years or spend the loan on something other than housing, the bonus must be returned.
- The rate on the "Baspana" deposit itself is 2% per year. The benefit is in the bonus and the subsidized loan, not in the interest.
More details — in the article Otbasy Bank deposit.
Source 2: a regular deposit
Anything above 865,000 tenge a year is kept in a tenge savings deposit. Rates are falling along with the National Bank's base rate, so check current offers. The KDIF covers up to 20 million tenge on tenge savings deposits, up to 10 million on other tenge deposits and up to 5 million on foreign-currency deposits, in each bank. Interest on residents' deposits is not taxed. The deposit calculator will work out your interest.
Source 3: pension savings
You can only withdraw the amount above the sufficiency threshold. Since June 5, 2026, the thresholds have gone up: 9.75 million tenge at age 30, 11.49 million at 35, 13.37 million at 40. Right now about 30 thousand people qualify. There are no special benefits for a first home. For residents, such payouts are exempt from individual income tax (IIT) since 2026. Check your balance in your statement — we explain how to get it in the article ENPF statement online.
Step-by-step plan
- Choose a goal: city, price, program. Calculate the down payment — for example, 5 million tenge.
- Check your pension savings: whether you have an amount above the threshold.
- Open an Otbasy deposit (if you are a citizen of Kazakhstan) and deposit up to 865,000 tenge a year — about 72,000 a month. You can also open deposits for your spouse and children.
- Save the rest in a savings deposit, splitting large amounts across banks within KDIF limits.
- Keep a separate reserve covering 3–6 months of expenses — it is not spent on the down payment.
- Review the plan once a year: rates, bonuses and program terms change.
What you risk
- Putting your "apartment fund" into risky assets. If you need the money in 2–3 years, stocks or crypto may be in the red exactly then.
- "Help with pension withdrawals" for a percentage and fake deals — ENPF requires no middlemen, and money used for the wrong purpose must be returned.
- An unverified developer. Before buying a new build, check the project and its permit documents.
- "Housing" pyramid schemes. A promise of an apartment bypassing banks and state programs for an "entry fee" is a reason to check the company in the ARDFM registers.
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- Down payment under 2026 programs — from 10% under "Nauryz" and from 20% under most others.
- Otbasy — up to 173,000 tenge bonus per person for 2026, only for citizens of Kazakhstan.
- Above the limit, save in a savings deposit within KDIF protection.
- Pension savings are available only above the new threshold.
Frequently asked questions
What is the mortgage down payment in Kazakhstan in 2026?
Under the state program "Nauryz" — from 10% for new builds with finishing and from 20% in other cases. Under "7-20-25" and Otbasy Bank programs — usually from 20%. Check bank terms on their websites.
Which is better for saving: Otbasy or a regular deposit?
Otbasy gives a 20% state bonus on deposits of up to 865,000 tenge for 2026 and the right to a subsidized loan, but the deposit rate itself is low and the money must be kept for at least 3 years. It makes more sense to keep anything above the limit in a savings deposit. Many people use both.
Can I use pension savings for a down payment?
Yes, but only the amount above the sufficiency threshold. Since June 5, 2026, the thresholds have gone up: for example, 9.75 million tenge at age 30 and 13.37 million at 40. Right now just over 30 thousand people can withdraw.
Can a foreigner get the Otbasy state bonus?
No. The bonus is credited only to depositors who are citizens of Kazakhstan. A foreigner can save in a regular deposit.
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