`Permanent residence in any country is impossible without using the services of local financial institutions. We will tell you who can open an account in a Polish bank, under what conditions, and what documents are needed.
Types of Accounts You Can Open in Polish Banks
Important! On average, you can open an account in a Polish bank in one day. This can be done offline and online, requiring all documents confirming identity.
In Poland, there are five types of bank accounts:
- Personal — for everyday use (receiving salary, paying for goods);
- Youth accounts for ages 18-26 (no service fees for such accounts);
- Savings accounts for accumulation, usually attached to the main personal account;
- Business accounts for entrepreneurs who have registered commercial activity and have REGON and NIP codes;
- Foreign currency accounts for transactions in dollars, euros, etc.
Terms, privileges, and additional benefits depend on the specific financial institution.
Opening an Account in a Polish Bank: Necessary Steps
How to open a bank account in Poland offline:
- Decide on the type of account you need.
- Review bank offers, choose the most cost-effective in terms of service fees, credit terms, and conditions.
- Visit the financial institution's branch with a document package, fill out an application.
- Sign a contract, carefully reviewing it and asking any questions that arise. Note that this step is optional as not all banks offer to sign a contract.
- Activate the account at the branch, order a physical plastic card.
The exact sequence of actions depends on the specific bank.
Opening an account online is also possible. Here’s how to open an account in a Polish bank online:
- Fill out all necessary fields on the chosen institution’s website or mobile application, prepare a document package or upload them (depending on the specific bank's requirements).
- At the specified time, a courier will arrive with a contract for you to sign and a bank card. They will verify the documents, and you will sign the papers. Some banks conduct identification via video call. In this case, you need to agree to the contract terms and provide an electronic signature.
Important: Not all Polish banks allow online card issuance for foreigners.
Required documents for opening an account as a foreigner:
- Passport, preferably an ID card, as not all Polish banks provide services without a biometric document;
- PESEL number;
- Local mobile operator's phone number;
- Registered address of residence in Poland.
If you have documents proving your residence in Poland (residence card, visa, PESEL, or lease agreement), opening an account in a Polish bank is straightforward. However, for credit cards, a bank statement and/or employment document may be required.
Additional Requirements for Opening a Bank Account
Requirements for clients and service conditions vary among different institutions. In addition to the documents mentioned above, opening an account in a Polish bank may require proof of registration abroad.
Opening an account is usually free, but it can be a paid service. The card is sent by mail within 7-14 working days. The commission for its maintenance varies from 0 to 80 zlotys.
Rights and obligations of the cardholder are specified in the contract and are generally standard: compliance with Polish legislation, terms of the signed contract, providing only truthful information about oneself.
Advantages of Using a Lawyer to Open an Account in Polish Banks
When opening a card, not all points of the contract are always clear to the applicant, and some may be disadvantageous. There are also often questions regarding the correctness of processing or the availability of certain mandatory documents, conditions, and pricing. Not to mention the complexity of financial terminology and language barriers. Therefore, the task of a lawyer is to accompany you (if necessary), explain the terms, help gather a package of documents, fill out papers, and sign the contract.
Turning to a specialist will protect you from hasty steps, excessive commissions, and the imposition of unnecessary services.
Why Consult with Consultant Lawyers
Opening bank accounts in Poland is a widespread service, and our specialists have extensive experience in providing it. Our website hosts over 1000 lawyers from different regions of the country. They have practical knowledge of legal nuances, competitiveness of financial institutions’ offers, their reputation, so they will help you arrange a package of necessary documents and open a card in a Polish bank on favorable terms.
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