I am a Polish citizen, and for a few years, I live and travel abroad. I am especially interested in banking around the world, especially for expats. Below I will try to describe what the Polish banking system looks like and what are the best banks in Poland for foreigners.
Why do you need a Polish bank account?
If you live in Poland, you are going to need a local bank account for a few reasons. First, you will need a local bank account number to get a salary or to accept any local transfers. Second, you will be able to skip fees for using ATMs and you will be also able to use local payment systems. You can also login to government services through most bank websites.
What is different in the Polish banking system than in other countries?
Blik
Blik is an alternative payment method that allows one to pay (physically and online) and withdraw money without using cards. The option is widely acceptable and available in most Polish mobile banking apps.
“Fast Transfers”
Not sure about the exact naming, but this is a popular option when buying things online. You can be redirected from a shop to your bank and all data will be filled in immediately, and the receiver will receive the transfer in seconds.
The rest of the things are pretty standard compared to other countries, Credit, Debit etc cards are widely accepted and you can use them for online and in-person shopping. It is pretty rare now to find a place where you need to pay by cash.
Which account to choose?
Your choice will probably depend on that how if you are an EU citizen or not if you have a PESEL (citizen number) number and if you have some other documents.
Revolut
Not exactly a Polish bank, but the easiest way to get a Polish IBAN number.
- online registration (no physical branches)
- everything available in English
- modern app
- minimal documents requirements
- no PESEL needed
- fintech bank
- Polish IBAN
- no Blik and Fast Transfers
Revolut is actually registered in Lithuania (as a Bank) and cooperates with Polish banks, so offers also polish account numbers to receive money. This is probably the fastest way to receive polish IBAN and a bank that allows opening everything 100% online. The basic account is totally free, and Revolut also is a good service to exchange currencies to and from PLN. The con of this bank is that is not exactly a Polish bank, so can’t use local Polish payment options, but for most people that will be not a big problem.
You can open it online – revolut.com
Millenium Bank
This is the most recommended bank in Poland by foreigners.
- online or in branch registration (can fill the form online, but still need to sign up a contract in brach)
- everything available in English
- the app looks good (but the lack of Google Pay / Apple pay in 2023)
- some people say only a passport is needed to open an account (can depend on the specific branch)
- some people say that no PESEL is needed (can depend on specific branch)
- traditional bank
- Polish IBAN
- Blik and Fast Transfers are available
This is the most recommended bank for foreigners in Poland by foreigners. Some people say that no PESEL is needed to open a bank account and others that they managed to open it with a passport only. It can also depend on the branch, but this is mostly the first choice of foreigners. Users also point out that banking is available in English and it is possible to communicate with staff in English. A Bank account is free, and a debit card can be also free after using it a few times a month.
You can open it online or in a branch – Bank website: bankmillennium.pl
Citi handlowy
- in branch registration
- everything available in English
- the app is not the best (based on reviews and stars in the Google Play store)
- some people say only a passport is needed to open an account (can depend on the specific branch)
- some people say that no PESEL is needed (can depend on specific branch)
- traditional bank
- Polish IBAN
- Blik and Fast Transfers are available
Citi handlowy is a part of Citibank’s group around the world. Many foreigners say that the bank is friendly for foreigners and staff asks for a minimal number of documents. All websites and mobile banking are translated into English and staff can speak English too. To register as a foreigner you need to go to a branch.
You can open it in a branch – Bank website: citibank.pl
Other
Other interesting options to open an account in Poland:
- ING – ing.pl (some foreigners also recommend Polish ING, after a quick look I see the website doesn’t offer English, but the banking app does)
- PKO BP – pkobp.pl (the biggest (government) bank in Poland, after a quick look I see the website doesn’t offer English, but the banking app does)
- Zen – zen.com (service similar to Revolut (but not a bank), officially registered in Lithuania also offers polish IBAN)
- Aion – aion.eu (first Polish neo bank, not cheap but because this bank only operates online and also in other EU countries could be easier to open a bank account there)
How to exchange money to/from PLN. How to make international transfers?
Because Poland is one of the few countries in the EU that doesn’t use EUR, you will probably find yourself in a situation where you would like to make a transfer from another country or to another country (also with a different currency). A nice solution for that is Revolut / Zen / Wise which allows for really good exchange rates and free (or really cheap transfers).
