Personal accounts: Poland

Updated 6 October 2026

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A personal account at a Polish bank is needed by people moving to Poland, working or studying there, earning in zloty or buying a home. Banks are supervised by the Polish Financial Supervision Authority, and deposits are protected by the Bank Guarantee Fund up to the zloty equivalent of EUR 100,000, about $112,040, per depositor per bank.

The right to a basic account

Anyone lawfully present in the EU has the right to open a basic payment account in Poland: it allows receiving money, card payments and transfers. A bank may not refuse just because the client has no Polish residence permit.

What the bank will ask

a passport and, for foreigners with residence, the residence card;
an address in Poland or in your country of residence;
a personal identification number if already assigned, without which some online services are unavailable;
proof of income or study and the source of large incoming payments.

Account, work and housing

Employers in Poland pay salaries into a bank account, so it is opened in the first days after moving. If you buy a home, payment goes through a Polish bank. A foreigner can buy a flat without a permit, but a non-EEA national buying a house with land needs a permit from the interior ministry.

Tax on interest

Interest on deposits and accounts is taxed at 19%, withheld by the bank. A non-resident with a tax residence certificate from their country may pay the treaty rate.

Dollar amounts use the European Central Bank rate of 5 October 2026, rounded up.

A personal account and income tax in Poland

Polish banks open a personal account for a foreigner with a passport and proof of address; many services need a personal identification number. If you live in Poland and become its tax resident, worldwide income is taxed on a scale: the first 30,000 zloty a year are tax-free, 12% applies up to 120,000 zloty and 32% above. Sole traders can opt for a flat 19%.

What to consider when opening the account

Passport, proof of address and the purpose of the account.
Source of funds for large inflows from abroad.
The bank reports non-residents' accounts to their home tax authorities under automatic information exchange.

More on rates and deductions on our Poland taxes page.

What we do

Personal account - opening assistance

FAQ

Can a foreigner open a Polish bank account without residency?

Yes, several Polish banks open accounts for foreigners on a passport, though the choice is narrower and terms vary. Ordinary current accounts have no minimum balance, and monthly fees are often waived if money regularly comes in or you use the card. With a residence card and a PESEL every bank is open to you.

Do I need a PESEL for a personal account?

Not always, but life is harder without it: online onboarding, Polish banking apps and government services are all built around the PESEL. Banks that accept foreigners without one usually ask you to come to a branch and may limit some features.

Can I open a Polish bank account remotely?

Sometimes, through video verification or a confirming transfer from an existing account in your own name. For a foreigner with no PESEL and no Polish address, remote opening is usually not available and a trip is needed.

Will a Polish bank report my account to my tax office?

Yes. Poland applies CRS as an EU member: the bank records your tax residency, asks for a tax number and reports the account for exchange. If you become a Polish tax resident, also check the local rules on declaring foreign accounts and income.

What is the personal income tax in Poland?

For a resident: the first 30,000 zloty a year are tax-free, 12% applies up to 120,000 zloty and 32% above. Sole traders can opt for a flat 19%.

Is income in a foreigner's Polish account taxed?

If you are a Polish tax resident, yes, on the Polish scale on worldwide income. If not, the bank reports the account to your home country's tax authority.

Want to open a personal account in Poland?

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