Opening a bank account in Poland is an essential process when starting a business. Employees, sole traders, or entrepreneurs who derive income from Poland can benefit from having a bank account opened with a local bank or the branch of a foreign financial institution. We can assist in opening bank accounts for both resident companies and foreign companies.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Types of bank accounts | Personal, business, savings account, merchant, non-resident accounts |
|
Document requirements for natural persons |
Passport or a national identification card; Proof of address: Information about your employment history; Some banks might require your Polish identification number (PESEL), etc. |
|
Document requirements for companies |
Companies that open a bank account in Poland need to provide the Articles of Association; A list of stakeholders; Samples of the director's signatures; An excerpt from the Poland Business Register; Passport or IDs, etc. |
| Requirements to travel to Poland (YES/NO) | YES, you need to travel to Poland to open a bank account |
| Address requirements for foreign citizens (YES/NO) |
YES, In order to open a bank account in Poland, it is required for foreign citizens to provide a local address |
| Remote bank opening possibility (YES/NO) |
YES, but only available for individuals who are residents |
| Timeframe for opening the bank account (approx.) |
5 days – 2 weeks |
| Present banks in Poland |
PKO BP, Santander Bank Polska, ING Bank Śląski, Bank Millennium, etc. |
| Steps for opening a bank account in Poland |
Choose a bank that suits your needs and preferences; Prepare the necessary documents; Visit the branch of the chosen bank with the necessary documents and file the required forms; Wait for your application to be processed and approved; You can contact our law firm in Poland for assistance in opening a bank account or starting company incorporation procedures from abroad. |
| Advantages of opening a bank account in Poland |
Access to a broad range of banking services; Low fees; High security; Simplifying various payments; Convenience of being able to transfer money from your account. |
|
Facts about banking in Poland |
The Polish Zloty (PLN) is the official currency; Polish residents and non-residents can open bank accounts in all convertible currencies, as well as Zloty;
Most large Polish banks offer services in both Banks in Poland comply with the International Financial Reporting Standards for reporting and presenting available data. |
| Transferring money from or to Poland |
Money transfers of up to 10,000 euros in Poland do not require any declaration at the border; It is advisable to use the EU Standard Transfer for larger amounts since it is the cheapest, fastest, and most convenient way to transfer money within the European Union; Contacting our team of attorneys in Poland can provide more information about money transfers. |
| Merchant bank account |
To sell things online in Poland, a company can open a merchant account with different types of payment; Some businesses are required to have merchant accounts;
Contact our lawyers in Poland to open |
| Types of banks to open accounts with |
Commercial banks, cooperative banks, foreign banks and their branches |
| Banking fees | Depending on the bank, you can pay a monthly administration fee, ATM fees, transfer fees, etc. |
Table of Contents
How to open a bank account for companies in Poland?
Opening a bank account in Poland is required when starting a business here. For medium and large companies this step is mandatory. Only micro-entrepreneurs in Poland can, in some cases, be subject to an exemption from opening a bank account when starting their business. Main requirements to open a corporate bank account include:
- Companies that are subject to VAT in Poland, and will apply for VAT refunds, must have a business bank account.
- The Polish legislation doesn’t require businesses to receive payments exclusively into a business bank account. However, banks often have internal rules that prohibit corporations from using personal accounts for business transactions, especially for receiving corporate income.
- Corporate bank account creation in Poland is conditioned by having obtained the legal entity’s registration documents.
How to open a bank account for foreign companies in Poland?
Foreign companies can open a bank account in Poland, although the process can be more complex. The procedure can differ depending on the bank, as each institution has its own internal regulations. Foreign companies must understand these specific rules before opening the bank account.
Additionally, the company must adhere to the banking and business regulations in Poland to operate legally. Specifically, the company must register in the Register of Entrepreneurs and obtain a Tax Identification Number (NIP). The NIP is necessary for conducting legal business activities and is also required to open a bank account in Poland in 2026.
Depending on the chosen bank, the foreign company might be required to prove its business relationship with Poland. This could include:
- Hiring Polish employees;
- Having business partners based in Poland.
- Distributing/selling goods/services within Poland.
Futhermore, in 2026, when opening a bank account for a company in Poland, the financial institution is expected to comply with the anti-money laundering regulations and conduct customer due-diligence procedures.
How to open a bank account for foreign nationals in Poland?
Foreign nationals in Poland who decide to open a business will most likely already have a personal bank account. However, those who have just arrived in the country can reach out to our team of Polish lawyers for solutions that will suit their needs.
A personal bank account is required when signing an employment contract in Poland, or when opening a sole proprietorship. For this type of business, the founder can use their personal bank account. However, the account must be in the founder’s name only. It cannot be a joint account shared with a spouse, for example.
What are the documents needed for opening a bank account in Poland in 2026?
Opening a bank account in Poland is a simple process, but requires careful preparation with the documentation.
For companies/business accounts:
- Document confirming company registration (extract from Commercial Register/KRS or equivalent);
- Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Association;
- List of shareholders/beneficial owners;
- Passport/ID of directors/representatives;
- Sample signature of directors/authorized person(s);
- Tax identification number (NIP) or company registration number (necessary for commercial activity);
- In some cases, evidence of commercial activity or connection with Poland (clients, employees, agreements).
For individuals:
- Bank application form / questionnaire;
- Valid passport or national identification card;
- Residence permit card (if any / if you are a permanent resident in Poland);
- Proof of residential address (Polish or international address according to the bank);
- PESEL number (requested by banks occasionally but not necessarily always needed);
- Details of employment or income status (depending on the requirements of the bank).
We invite you to watch the following video on opening a bank account in Poland:
What are the main facts about banking in Poland?
Poland joined the European Union in 2004 but has not yet adopted the Euro. The Zloty (PLN) is the Polish currency. Polish residents and non-residents can open bank accounts in all the convertible currencies, as well as zloty. A bank account in Poland is useful for business owners who run different types of companies in Poland. It is also suitable for foreign employees in Poland who must receive their remuneration.
Bank accounts in Poland comply with the IBAN format. This format is also used for international money transfers. Credit cards are widely accepted in Poland and ATMs can be used for cash withdrawal.Monthly fees are required for maintaining a bank account in Poland and other fees may apply if the client requires additional services. Charges for transactions and debit orders are also applicable. These fees can vary depending on the chosen bank.
Feel free to contact our attorneys in Poland if you want to open a bank account in Poland. Our team can help you throughout the entire procedure. Our team can also help you start an LLC in Poland.