Opening a bank account for a foreign company in Poland in 2025

Opening an account is the establishment of an ongoing payment relationship between a legal entity and a Polish bank that enables the company to hold funds, send and receive transfers (including SEPA and SWIFT), and access remote banking tools under the bank’s terms and Polish law. In practice, this is not a single act but a sequence—pre-filing, risk assessment (KYC/AML), contract signing and activation—each with its own documentary and compliance thresholds. Banks may also require in-person identification of company representatives or reliable remote alternatives consistent with Polish AML law.

Who is a non-resident legal entity? For banking purposes this normally means a company incorporated outside Poland (irrespective of where its directors live) and not registered in the Polish National Court Register (KRS), unless the foreign group also decides to incorporate a local subsidiary (e.g., a spółka z ograniczoną odpowiedzialnością, or “Sp. z o.o.”). Banks calibrate risk and onboarding standards differently for a direct foreign company, a Polish subsidiary, or a Polish branch; the choice of vehicle directly affects both the evidentiary package and the processing time.

Why Poland, and why now?

Poland combines EU-level payment connectivity with a conservative, compliance-driven banking sector. Access to the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) allows companies to send euro transfers across the EU (and several non-EU countries) “as domestic” in terms of speed and predictability—crucial for supply chains and treasury centralization. While specific customer fees are set by each bank, SEPA itself is the harmonized rails that shorten settlement cycles and reduce friction for cross-border euro payments.

For companies in Belarus-facing trade corridors, a Polish bank account can be a practical way to route lawful payments through an EU banking system, provided all AML/sanctions checks are satisfied. At the same time, Belarusian corporate residents must keep their own currency-control house in order (on which more below), so building a structure that satisfies both Polish banks and Belarusian regulators is the key to durable operations.

What does the law require, and why do banks ask so many questions?

Poland’s Act of 1 March 2018 on counteracting money laundering and terrorist financing (the “AML Act”) is the foundation for bank onboarding. Banks (“obligated institutions”) must identify the customer, verify representatives and ultimate beneficial owners, understand the business rationale for the account, and monitor transactions. These duties are not “internal rules” but statutory obligations; they explain document requests, business-model questionnaires and source-of-funds verification that foreign companies encounter.

In parallel, Poland operates the Central Register of Beneficial Owners (CRBR), an official, public register managed by the Ministry of Finance. Polish companies registered in KRS must file and update UBO data within statutory deadlines. Foreign companies that only operate through a branch in Poland may fall outside CRBR’s filing duty, but banks still require transparent UBO documentation for KYC. A little-known but important nuance: if a bank’s KYC review finds a discrepancy between CRBR data and the bank’s own determination of the beneficial owner, the bank must record and report that discrepancy under Ministry of Finance guidance—a process that can delay onboarding unless resolved proactively.

Is it possible to open an account for a foreign company without a Polish subsidiary?

Yes—banks in Poland may open accounts for non-resident legal entities when the risk profile and documentation satisfy internal and statutory AML/KYC standards. In practice, banks are more comfortable when there is an objective link to Poland, such as Polish customers or suppliers, local contracts, or a clear rationale for euro operations from Poland. Where that business nexus is not evident—or where a bank’s policy is simply conservative—many groups choose to register a Polish Sp. z o.o. and open an account for that company instead. This often streamlines KYC because the entity is then in KRS and appears in CRBR.

For context, forming a Polish Sp. z o.o. is a well-trodden path: the minimum share capital is PLN 5,000, and the company is incorporated by notarial articles or via the online template, then registered in KRS with automatic assignment of NIP (tax) and REGON (statistical) numbers. Only after KRS/NIP/REGON and CRBR are in place will most banks finalize business account opening for a new subsidiary.

What documents do banks actually ask for—and why?

Although each bank has its own matrix, the core set is predictable and flows from the AML Act and banking regulations. Expect to provide: constitutional documents and an extract from the home registry for the foreign company; documents appointing directors and authorizing signatories; passports of controllers and signers; a transparent ownership chart with UBO declarations; and a narrative of the business model (expected flows, counterparty geographies, purpose of account). Polish banks typically require sworn translations of foreign corporate documents and may require apostille/legalization in line with their internal rules.

From our casework and the banks’ statements, personal presence of at least one representative for identification and contract signing remains common, especially for non-resident companies; fully remote onboarding is still the exception. Where allowed, banks rely on robust remote identification procedures as permitted by the AML Act. Plan for at least one branch visit and allow time for compliance queries.

How long does it take?

Timeframes vary with ownership complexity and sanctions screening. For a straightforward profile with a clear Polish business nexus, we typically see three to four weeks from the moment documents are complete through to activation; more complex structures or additional AML clarifications can extend the process to several weeks or a few months. This dispersion is consistent with market observations across providers.

Which banks should a foreign company consider—and what are their known practices?

PKO Bank Polski remains one of the principal corporate banks with experience serving international clients and the infrastructure to manage cross-border flows. Its published tariffs and corporate documentation show structured fees for inbound/outbound transfers and corporate e-banking; onboarding for non-residents is possible subject to KYC and internal policies. Bank Pekao advertises a dedicated “Offer for International Clients” with coordinated account opening for residents and non-residents. Santander Bank Polska and mBank also maintain business lines serving foreign-owned companies, each with their own documentation standards, including certified translations of foreign registry extracts for non-resident entities. Specific costs and eligibility depend on client profile and the bank’s current risk appetite.

What about remote banking, SIM cards and PESEL—are these really necessary?

Polish banks rely heavily on two-factor authentication through mobile banking apps and SMS codes. A Polish mobile number registered to the authorized user often becomes a practical prerequisite for day-to-day access—even where it is not a formal legal requirement. For individuals, some banks request a PESEL; for corporates this is not a general statutory requirement, but a PESEL (for a director) can simplify e-signature and online interactions. In any case, ensure that the phone number used for activation stays reachable in roaming to avoid lockouts.

Practical tip from the field: before the bank meeting, activate a Polish SIM card tied to the person who will administer the account and test it in roaming; this avoids failed activations of mobile banking and missed verification calls after you leave Poland. Our clients consistently find that this single operational step prevents many avoidable delays.

What does the process look like—step by step?

In successful cases the pathway follows a fairly consistent storyline. First comes pre-assessment: together with counsel you map the company’s structure, beneficial owners, payment routes and the Polish nexus, select candidate banks, and align expectations on in-person versus remote steps. Next is document preparation and translation: registry extracts, articles, director appointments, signatory powers, UBO statements and apostilles if required. After the bank meeting and application, the compliance review begins; banks may request account statements from your current bank, drafts of key contracts, or more detail on counterparties. Finally, upon approval, you sign the account agreement, receive corporate e-banking credentials and activate mobile authentication on the previously designated phone number. In non-resident cases there are often two interactions—one for document intake and one for final signing and activation—which is both normal and efficient when properly staged.

What costs and payment rails should you plan for?

Each bank publishes its own fee schedules covering account maintenance, transfer execution (domestic ELIXIR, high-value SORBNET2, SEPA, SWIFT), and e-banking modules; review the tariff relevant to your client segment (SME vs. corporate). For euro payments, SEPA provides the standardized infrastructure; instant euro payments are also being piloted or rolled out by Polish participants via KIR, with end-customer pricing set by each bank. The key takeaway is that rails are efficient; total cost depends on your bank’s current tariff.

How should you choose the bank—and why expertise matters?

Our cross-matter experience shows that bank selection should follow the company’s payment geography and governance profile. A group with frequent EU-inbound receipts and Polish suppliers may find PKO Bank Polski or Bank Pekao natural candidates; globally diversified flows might point to international groups such as Santander Bank Polska or mBank, provided their current policy allows non-resident onboarding in your sector and ownership structure. Because AML/KYC is risk-based and policies evolve, it is prudent to pre-screen documentation with the target branch or relationship team before scheduling travel.

This is precisely where professional counsel saves cycles. Based on our files, two well-prepared visits—one for application and one for signing—are more efficient than attempting remote improvisation, and a Polish SIM linked to the future e-banking user prevents authentication dead ends after you return home. Where necessary, we secure sworn translations by court-certified translators, as most banks insist on them for foreign corporate documents.

What can go wrong—and how to mitigate it?

Most setbacks trace to one of four patterns. First is ownership opacity: unresolved UBO questions trigger CRBR discrepancy handling and stall processing. Cure: finalize the ownership chart, ensure CRBR (if applicable) is in sync, and prepare directors to explain governance. Second is a weak Polish nexus: a plan to “use Poland as a general EU hub” without specific counterparties reads as high risk; attach draft or executed contracts, delivery terms, and a forecast of flows. Third is phone/IT friction: unready SIMs, unregistered devices or mismatched users derail mobile activation. Fourth is home-country compliance: ignoring Belarusian notification and reporting duties undermines your credibility with both regulators and banks. These are avoidable with early diagnostics and disciplined execution.

Why engage Law firm “Economic Disputes”—and how will we help?

Our firm has guided Belarusian and international companies through opening accounts for non-resident entities in Poland and, where appropriate, through forming Polish subsidiaries and completing CRBR/KRS formalities. We speak Polish and English, maintain direct lines with bank teams, and know which branches and settings are currently receptive to specific risk profiles. We have opened and service our own business account with PKO Bank Polski, which simplifies settlements with foreign clients and demonstrates practical familiarity with Polish corporate e-banking.

On our matters, we shoulder the heavy lifting—pre-clearing document sufficiency with target banks, coordinating sworn translations, preparing clients for KYC interviews, and accompanying them to scheduled meetings. Where a Polish subsidiary is the better route, we arrange Sp. z o.o. registration, CRBR filing, and then the account. Our typical project plan anticipates 3–4 weeks from file completion to activation, with contingencies for extended AML review.

At the same time, we keep clients aligned with Belarusian currency-control and tax-notification obligations, preparing the notices and calendars that regulators expect—so that your banking solution in Poland fits seamlessly with your obligations at home.

What next—and how to start correctly?

If your group is considering opening a bank account for a foreign company in Poland, begin with a structured feasibility call. We will examine your ownership chain, counterparties, and intended payment map; confirm whether a direct non-resident account is realistic or whether a Polish subsidiary will materially improve the odds; and issue a document request list tailored to your precise setup. When ready, we will book a bank slot, organize translations and a Polish SIM, and accompany you through signing and activation. This narrative approach—why, what, how, when—is what turns compliance into an enabler rather than an obstacle.

About Law firm “Economic Disputes”

Our multi-disciplinary team includes 15+ lawyers and specialists with 15–25 years of experience; we are regular speakers at professional events and have earned industry awards. Our Director Sergey Belyavsky spent 20 years in the economic courts of Belarus, including 10 years as a judge, is a recommended arbitrator at the ICAC at BelCCI, and authors of 5 books and over 1,200 articles. We maintain offices in Minsk (11 Kulman St.) and Grodno (23 Kalyuchynskaya St.), speak English and Polish, and sustain a partner network in 40+ countries from Spain to China and Mongolia, from the USA to South Africa. We have served 1,500+ clients, helping recover or save over BYN 1.5 billion, with 100+ positive reviews published on our site. For international settlements we use our PKO Bank Polski business account.

Ready to act? Share your scenario and documents through the contact form at our site. We will respond with a clear, legally grounded plan for opening a bank account for your foreign company in Poland—from KYC strategy to activation—so that payments support your business instead of blocking it.