How to open a business bank account in Poland

Imagine: you've just registered a company in Poland. Your first transactions, tax payments, and employee salaries are just around the corner. And then you discover an unpleasant detail: without a local bank account, many transactions are either impossible or significantly more expensive. Operating a business banking company account locally keeps everyday expenses low and compliance simple.

A local account is required for:

• Payment of taxes and contributions to ZUS (social insurance agency)
• Settlements with Polish partners and clients
• Receiving government support and grants
• Participation in tenders
• Connecting payment systems for an online store

Opening a corporate account with a Polish bank has its own specifics. The Polish banking system is considered one of the most developed in Eastern Europe. Modern technologies are being actively implemented, including contactless payments, instant BLIK transfers, and advanced online banking.

At the same time, the system is quite conservative when it comes to security and client verification. This is especially true when it comes to opening accounts for non-residents. Banks thoroughly check the origin of funds and the business reputation of their clients. Expect strict opening a business bank account requirements, especially for non-residents.

Documents required to open an account can be divided into several categories. To start business banking account setup smoothly, prepare the following:

Company's constituent documents:

• A current extract from the KRS register (not older than 3 months)
• Certificate of assignment of a REGON number
• Certificate of assignment of a NIP tax number
• Company Charter
• Decision on the appointment of a manager
• Ownership structure documents

Personal documents of representatives:

• International passport
• Residence permit (if any)
• Confirmation of registration address
• Signature samples

Additional documents:

• Financial statements (for operating companies)
• Business plan (for new companies)
• Office or premises lease agreements
• Contracts with key partners

If you plan on setting up a business bank account online or want to open corporate bank account online, compare banks that support remote onboarding and digital KYC. Business banking services vary significantly between banks. Let's look at the main options:

PKO Bank Polski:

• The largest network of branches (more than 1000)
• English-language service in major cities
• Modern Internet banking iPKO
• Special conditions for startups
• Service cost: from 40 zlotys per month
• Account opening time: 2-3 business days

mBank:

• A fully digital bank
• Best mobile app
• Opening a current account in Poland online
• Integration with accounting systems
• Service cost: from 0 PLN upon fulfillment of conditions
• Account opening time: 1-2 business days

Santander Bank Polska:

• Strong international expertise
• Multi-currency account with 20+ currencies
• Favorable conditions for foreign trade
• A personal manager for each client
• Service cost: from 50 zlotys per month
• Account opening time: 3-4 business days

ING Bank Śląski:

• Developed Internet banking system
• Specialized programs for e-commerce
• Convenient API for integrations
• Free account opening
• Service cost: from 30 zlotys per month
• Account opening time: 2-3 business days

There are two ways to open a business bank account and to set up a business banking account efficiently:

In person at the branch:

Preliminary preparation:

• Collect all the necessary documents
• Translate documents with a sworn translator
• Prepare copies of all documents

Appointment booking:

• Call the bank or make an appointment online
• Clarify the list of required documents
• Agree on a convenient time

Visit to the bank:

• Personal presence of all company representatives
• Verification of documents by a bank specialist
• Filling out questionnaires and forms
• Signing the contract

After the visit:

• Obtaining bank cards
• Activating online banking
• Setting up access rights
• Installing a mobile application

Business accounts for foreigners have additional nuances. Banks pay particular attention to checking foreign clients as part of their KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) policies. Demonstrating ties to Poland helps your application as a company with bank account in Poland that serves local clients.

Additional documents:

• Apostilled constituent documents
• Bank statements in other countries
• Letters of recommendation from partners
• Confirmation of source of funds
• Detailed business plan

The verification process for opening an account for non-residents can take 2 to 4 weeks. Some banks require the personal presence of all company beneficiaries. In many cases, options to create a business bank account online or to onboard fully remotely are limited and subject to enhanced checks.

Although it is possible to open a corporate account without knowledge of the Polish language, it is important to consider:

In large cities:

• Dedicated English-speaking managers
• Contracts in two languages
• Support in English

In smaller towns:

• Mainly Polish language service
• The need to work with a translator
• Documents are only in Polish

Polish banks' fees include several components:

Basic rates:

• Monthly service: 0-150 PLN
• Internal transfers: 0-3 zlotys
• International transfers within the EU: 5-50 PLN
• SWIFT transfers: from 40 zlotys
• Corporate card issuance: 0-50 PLN
• Card maintenance: 0-15 PLN per month

Additional services:

• SMS notifications: PLN 0.30-0.50 per message
• Paper statements: 10-30 PLN
• Certificates for auditors: from 100 zlotys
• Changing a signature card: 20-50 PLN

After opening a corporate account with a Polish bank, it's important to properly manage it. During the first week, focus on the basic settings. Start by activating online access—this is your primary account management tool. At the same time, set up the bank's mobile app on the phones of key employees. Don't forget to order corporate cards for everyone who needs them for work. At the end of the first week, be sure to set limits on all transactions—this is the foundation of your company's financial security.

Spend the next three weeks on advanced setup and automation. Create templates for recurring payments—this will save your accounting department time. Enable SMS notifications about account transactions. Pay special attention to integrating your bank account with your accounting system—this will significantly simplify accounting. During the first month, it's also important to train your employees on the new banking interface.

By the end of the first quarter, you'll have gained enough experience to evaluate the ease of service. Analyze your banking expenses—perhaps there are ways to optimize them. Explore additional banking products that could be useful for your business. If your current tariff plan isn't optimal, now's the time to adjust it.

Opening a business bank account in Poland is a doable task, although it does require careful preparation. The key is to choose the right bank, gather all the necessary documents, and be patient, especially if you're a non-resident.

Remember that well-configured banking is the foundation of a successful business in Poland. Take the time to choose the optimal bank and plan, and carefully configure all services. This investment will pay off in the convenience of daily operations and savings on banking services.