For many families, First Holy Communion is not only an important religious event, but also a serious financial challenge. The costs include not only the clothes and setting in the church, but also the organization of the reception in the restaurant, catering, photographer and attractions for guests. Some parents plan their expenses well in advance, reserving rooms up to a year in advance to ensure the appropriate standard of the celebration.
The study “First Communion 2026 – expectations and expenses”, conducted on behalf of the National Debt Register, shows that 59 percent. parents of nine- and ten-year-old children who will receive their First Holy Communion in 2026 declare their willingness to organize a ceremony with an elegant setting and additional attractions.
Until 77 percent However, respondents believe that they can afford a lavish party without having to take out loans. In this group, almost half answer “rather yes”, and 29 percent “definitely yes.” On the other hand 17 percent admits that he is unable to organize communion with an appropriate setting without additional financial support. However, every third parent prefers to limit the scale of the celebration rather than go into debt for this purpose.
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— Our research shows that although parents accept the high costs of communion, every third child does not intend to go into debt because of it. They want to organize a celebration for their child, but not for an amount of PLN 10,000 or more. This is a reasonable approach because it allows us to focus on the essence of this event, which has primarily a religious dimension. It is clear that long-term thinking is winning today – parents prefer to limit the scale of the party rather than feel the effects of a one-time expense for many months. This is a signal that, despite strong pressure, some families are able to set limits and adapt their plans to the budget, says Adam Łącki, president of the Management Board of the National Debt Register of the Economic Information Bureau.
First Holy Communion is becoming more and more expensive
In the KRD survey, as many as 41 percent families declared expenses of the order of 5-10 thousand zloty for the organization of communion. Another 23 percent intends to allocate for this purpose from 3 to 5 thousand zloty, and 16 percent plans to release from 1.5 to 3 thousand zloty. The most frugal people constitute only 5%. respondents – these are people who want to reach an amount of up to PLN 1.5 thousand. zloty. 8 percent group parents do not intend to save and anticipate expenses over PLN 10,000 zloty. Over 7 percent respondents do not have specific financial plans yet.
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Families who decide to take out a loan are the most likely to choose bank as a source of financing. This option was chosen by 12 percent. respondents, but it was possible to provide more than one source. Nearly 10 percent parents asks family or friends for support, and 4 percent uses the services of lending companies.
Rising prices of services and parents' caution
Already in the 2022 National Debt Register study, 35 percent parents declared that they would rather organize a more modest party than borrow money. This year's results show that this attitude still holds. According to data from the Central Statistical Office, the prices of services are growing faster than the prices of goods – in March 2026 they were 5% higher. than a year earlier, and prices in restaurants and accommodation services increased by 4.6%.
The study “First Communion 2026 – expectations and expenses” was conducted by IMAS International on behalf of the National Debt Register of the Economic Information Office in March 2026 using the CAWI method. It was attended by 202 parents of children aged 9-10 who will receive their First Holy Communion in 2026.
