How difficult is it for a foreigner to open a bank account in Poland? - Piotr Kamler

Whenever you want to deal with any formalities in Poland, it is always best to do a little research on to topic and prepare necessary documents. This will save you both time and effort.

As a foreigner, opening a bank account in Poland requires some additional paperwork.

It’s more difficult for non-residents

First of all, if you are a non-resident (a person with no reported address in Poland), in most banks you will have to personally fill in a non-residency form at the bank. After positive verification (that may take a few days), you will be able to open an account.a

The same goes for an account for a company run by foreigners. All of foreign shareholders will have to personally visit a bank to fill in abovementioned form.

Different banks, different requirements

Each bank has it’s own required documents or even national preferences. It is also no news, that many banks are sometimes refusing to open a bank account for some nationalities from outside EU.

It is oftentimes unclear what documents or information are needed to open an account.

The below chart was created using information given by banks when asked about documents required to open an account for a foreigner.

Documents required when opening an account at selected banks.

Bank	How can you open an account	Required information/documents
Alior Bank	Only by personally visiting the bank.	Citizens of EU countries: – foreign passport, or – residence card, or – identity card of the country of origin. Citizens of countries outside the European Union: – foreign passport and residence card
BGŻ BNP Paribas	Only by personally visiting the bank.	A valid identity document (e.g. passport) and residence card (required for persons outside the European Union).
BOŚ Bank	Only by personally visiting the bank.	Document confirming identity, i.e. identity card or passport.
Credit Agricole	Only by personally visiting the bank.	One of the following documents: – a valid EU identity document (passport or ID card) and a certificate of registration of the stay of a European Union citizen; – a document confirming the right of permanent residence in Poland (e.g. residence card); – confirmation of registration or a contract for the purchase of residential property in the name of the customer or a contract for the rental of residential property in the name of the customer, concluded for a period of at least 12 months; – employment contract or managerial contract or a written statement of the employer or entity authorized to entrust the citizen of the European Union with the work of intending to entrust him with work in the territory of the Republic of Poland for a period of at least 12 months (promise / letter of intent); – a certificate of work or a written statement regarding the entry in the National Court Register or the Central Register and Information on Economic Activity or other evidence confirming that a citizen of the European Union is a self-employed person in the territory of the Republic of Poland together with a written undertaking to provide a copy of the employment contract / managerial contract.

Getin Bank	Only by personally visiting the bank.	Citizens of an EU country – a foreign passport or ID card together with a residence card or certificate of registration of an EU citizen’s stay in Poland. Non-EU nationals – passport and residence card.
Idea Bank	Only by personally visiting the bank.	Passport or residence card.
mBank	By personal visit or via the Internet with a further confirmation of the contract by courier (the courier only delivers documents for signature in Poland). The person applying for an account must be a resident who has a PESEL and a home address in Poland.	A foreign passport with a residence card or a foreign passport with a certificate of registration of a EU citizen’s stay in Poland.
Millennium	By personal visit or via the Internet with a further confirmation of the contract by courier (the courier only delivers documents for signature in Poland).	The only document required is a valid passport or EU identity card.
Nest Bank	The application can be submitted via the Internet, however, it is only possible to sign a contract at the bank. The person applying for an account must be a resident who has a PESEL and a home address in Poland.	Identity card or passport issued by EU countries.
Raiffeisen Polbank	Only by personally visiting the bank.	– passport – permanent residence card
Santander Bank Polska (dawny BZ WBK)	Only by personally visiting the bank.	– EU identity card, or – passport, or – residence card – if your document does not have a residence address, you must provide a document confirming your registered address.
T-Mobile Usługi Bankowe	Residents with a PESEL and home address in Poland can submit an application online and sign the contract via courier. Non-residents – only at the bank outlet. Also in this case, the person applying for an account must show a PESEL number.	One of the following documents: – passport, or – residence card, or – identity card of the country of origin

Source: “Rachunek bankowy dla obcokrajowca”, article by Beata Szymańska, https://www.najlepszekonto.pl/rachunek-bankowy-dla-obcokrajowca?fbclid=IwAR0kobt5pellSu8CQBvaXUHBsZSm2750Ey__ubCnO-f_5QoqdytYDydR5p0 [translation by author]

It is worth saying that these requirements are constantly changing, so whenever you want to open a bank account, it is always best to seek information at the bank.

What are your experiences with opening a bank account in Poland? Please let us know in the comments below.

If you are interested in getting any help with any issues related to your stay in Poland, feel free to contact us and take advantage of our services.

3 thoughts on “How difficult is it for a foreigner to open a bank account in Poland?”

Brendan

5 May 2021 at 22:29

Just to let you know that I recently wanted to open an account with Millennium Bank and they refused this on the grounds that I am a foreigner. I am an Irish national with a valid passport (Irish government issued) a valid Polish residents card (Polish government issued) and I am registered to a valid Polish address (Miasta Krakowa issued). Even though I had all of these documents including Polish Pesel and I was in the bank in person at one of their branches, I was refused the opportunity to open an account. This all happened in 2021. btw my car is registered to me personally with a valid Polish registration plate. I can only come to one conclusion and it is not a very pleasant one.
James Harrison

14 April 2022 at 13:13

Very useful information indeed. Thank you Piotr.
Damian

24 March 2023 at 07:55

Very useful information I will pass it to my friends who are also planning to open a bank account in Poland.

It’s more difficult for non-residents

Different banks, different requirements

Documents required when opening an account at selected banks.

3 thoughts on “How difficult is it for a foreigner to open a bank account in Poland?”

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