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Bank account in Poland for foreigners: your legal rights
Polish law guarantees one thing: banks and similar providers must offer a basic payment account in zloty to consumers who have no other zloty payment account in Poland. Opening a regular account is up to each bank, which sets its own document rules.
What the law guarantees
- Banks, branches of foreign banks, credit institutions and SKOKs that keep consumer payment accounts must offer a basic payment account (art. 59ia of the Payment Services Act).
- It is meant for consumers who have no other zloty payment account in Poland that lets them make the basic transactions.
- It lets you pay cash in, withdraw cash, and make payments in the EU, including by card and electronic access.
Cost
Domestic payments on the basic account are kept free of charge, but the provider may charge fees after 5 such payments ordered by you in a month, and the fees cannot exceed those it most often applies (art. 59ie).
Limits and closing
- The provider can terminate the basic account, among other reasons, if you use it unlawfully, give false information in your application, have not used it for over 24 months, open another account with the same functions, or are not staying legally in an EU member state (art. 59ig).
- For a regular (non-basic) account there is no legal right: each bank decides whether to open it and what documents it needs. Ask your bank in advance.
Why it helps
A bank account can also help you set up the trusted profile, if your bank is on the list of identity providers. See the trusted profile guide. We help you prepare and explain the steps, but we cannot open an account for you or guarantee that a bank will accept your application.
Sources
- Dziennik Ustaw: Payment Services Act (consolidated text 2026)
- Legal basis: Payment Services Act art. 59ia–59ig (Dz.U. 2026 item 623)
Facts checked against the official MOS portal on 25 Oct 2026. Rules and amounts change, so check the source before you act.