Can a foreigner open a corporate bank account in Poland in 2026?
Yes, a foreigner can open a corporate bank account in Poland, both for a Polish company and for some foreign companies. However, the bank is obliged to thoroughly verify your identity, residence status, tax residence, and the ownership structure of the company.
When is a corporate account needed for your company?
Polish regulations require that payments between entrepreneurs exceeding 15,000 PLN gross pass through the entrepreneur’s payment account. In practice, a company account is necessary if you want to legally settle larger transactions, avoid tax sanctions, and use the VAT white list.
- For transactions over 15,000 PLN, the payment must be cashless and made through the entrepreneur’s payment account.
- For VAT settlements, split payment, and the white list, you practically need a company account linked to the company’s NIP (Tax ID).
- For limited liability companies (sp. z o.o.) and joint-stock companies, a corporate account is a standard expected by contractors, offices, and accounting.
At Progress Holding, we always check whether your planned transaction scale requires opening an account immediately or if a transitional stage is sufficient. Thanks to this, you do not block the business, but you also do not expose yourself to unnecessary tax risk.
What regulations govern opening a corporate bank account in Poland?
Opening a corporate account in Poland is regulated by three groups of regulations: Banking Law, the AML Act, and tax and payment regulations. Additionally, banks are supervised by the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF), and the payment system infrastructure is coordinated by the National Bank of Poland (NBP).
Banking Law – the basis of the account agreement
The Banking Law Act defines what a bank account is and the rules for maintaining it. An account agreement is a civil law contract, so the bank has the right to refuse to conclude it if it assesses the client as a high-risk entity.
- Banking Law indicates that the bank stores funds and executes the client’s payment orders based on the agreement.
- The Act leaves banks with a lot of freedom regarding risk policy and acceptance of business clients.
- For you, this means that each bank may have slightly different document requirements for foreigners.
The AML Act and bank KYC obligations
The Act on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism imposes an obligation on banks to thoroughly verify the client. In practice, the bank must identify the ultimate beneficial owner (UBO), the purpose of the activity, the source of funds, and the country of tax residence.
- The bank collects data on the company, partners, board members, and ultimate beneficial owners.
- It requires a declaration of tax residence and who actually controls the company.
- It may demand additional documents for multi-level structures or high-risk industries.
The role of KNF and NBP in the banking system
The Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF) supervises banks, issues licenses, and ensures the safety of financial market clients. The National Bank of Poland (NBP) is responsible for the stability of the payment system and the functioning of cashless settlements in Poland.
Therefore, the banking procedures you see when opening an account are not “consultant inventions”. It is the result of supervisory and regulatory obligations that the bank must fulfill to operate legally on the Polish market.
What documents must a foreigner prepare to open a corporate bank account?
You need two packages of documents: personal documents of owners and representatives, and company registration documents. Additionally, the bank will ask you for AML forms and information about the planned scale of turnover and main contractors.
Identification documents of owners and representatives
The bank must unequivocally confirm the identity and legal status of the foreigner setting up a corporate account. In practice, the required documents are very similar in all major commercial banks.
- Passport or EU national ID card for all representatives and ultimate beneficial owners.
- Residence card, confirmation of registration, or other document confirming legal stay in Poland, if required.
- Declaration of tax residence and sometimes a certificate of residence from the country of residence.
- Correspondence address in Poland or abroad and contact details for banking purposes.
Company registration documents
The scope of documents depends on the legal form of the company and the country of registration. The table below will help you check what the bank typically expects from different types of entities.
| Entity type | Basic documents | Additional elements |
|---|---|---|
| Sole proprietorship in Poland (JDG) | Printout from CEIDG, NIP, REGON | Certificate of business address, tax decisions, contract with an accounting office |
| LLC (Sp. z o.o.) based in Poland | KRS extract, articles of association or company statute, NIP, REGON | Resolution on appointment of the board, list of shareholders, UBO data from CRBR |
| Other KRS companies (joint-stock, limited partnership, etc.) | KRS extract, articles/statute, NIP, REGON | Board regulations, powers of attorney, resolutions on establishing an account |
| Foreign company without a branch in Poland | Extract from the register in the country of seat, UBO documents, sworn translations | Description of links with Poland, business plan, documents confirming the source of funds |
At Progress Holding, we help prepare the entire package of documents in Polish and English versions. Thanks to this, you limit the risk that the bank will ask you for corrections or an additional visit just because of a missing contract page or translation.
How to open a corporate bank account in Poland in 2026 step by step?
The process of opening a corporate account for a foreigner in 2026 consists of several predictable stages. If you prepare documents in advance, the whole thing usually closes in one or two visits to the bank, sometimes combined with video verification.
Step 1: Choose a bank and account type
First, you decide whether you need only a basic settlement account or also currency accounts and corporate cards. It is also important whether your team speaks Polish or if you need service in English.
- Check if the bank provides service for foreigners and has experience with your jurisdiction.
- Compare fees for account maintenance, foreign transfers, and payment cards.
- If you plan to settle with Polish offices, make sure the account will be visible on the VAT white list after reporting.
At Progress Holding, we do not sell banking products, but we know the practice of many banks. On this basis, we help select an institution tailored to your industry profile, tax residence, and planned scale of operations in Poland.
Step 2: Prepare the document package and AML forms
The bank will ask you to complete KYC and AML forms and provide basic business data. This includes, among others, a description of activities, planned markets, sources of funds, and main contractors.
- You fill in company data, ultimate beneficial owners, and shareholding structure in bank forms.
- You attach registration documents, articles of association, powers of attorney, and identity documents of key persons.
- For more complex structures, you prepare an ownership chart with share percentages.
Step 3: Verification at the bank – visit or video conference
In many cases, the bank requires the personal presence of at least one board member or ultimate beneficial owner. Video verification is also becoming increasingly possible, especially if you have a Polish e-ID or a trusted profile.
- During the meeting, the bank advisor conducts a detailed interview about the activity and funding sources.
- You submit a specimen signature and sign the required AML and FATCA/CRS declarations.
- The bank may ask for additional documents to be sent if questions arise about the group structure.
Step 4: Signing the agreement and first transfers
After a positive decision, the bank prepares the corporate account agreement. After signing it, you receive the IBAN account number, access to electronic banking, and cards if you ordered them.
- After activating the account, make the first test transfer, preferably to your own account or to a trusted contractor.
- Report the account to the tax office and KAS so that it appears on the VAT white list if you are an active VAT payer.
- Pass the account details to accounting, ZUS, and regular contractors to avoid transfer errors.
If you wish, Progress Holding can take over the entire contact with the bank for you based on a power of attorney. You appear only at the key visit or video conference, and we complete and coordinate the rest of the documents on your behalf.
How does an account for a sole proprietorship, LLC, and foreign company differ?
The biggest differences concern the scope of required documents, the bank’s approach to AML risk, and the expected link with Poland. The more complex the structure and the less obvious the connection with the Polish market, the more questions the bank will ask.
Sole proprietorship run by a foreigner
For a sole proprietorship, many entrepreneurs use a personal account for smaller transactions. However, for payments between entrepreneurs over 15,000 PLN, you must use an entrepreneur’s payment account to maintain the right to tax costs.
- Formally, you can use a personal account, but the tax office and contractors prefer a separate corporate account.
- For active VAT payers, the account reported to the office should be reported to the white list.
- The bank usually requires a PESEL or NIP, entry in CEIDG, and a residence document for non-residents.
LLC (Sp. z o.o.) and other KRS companies
For KRS companies, a corporate account is a practical standard from the moment of the partners’ first payments. The bank expects a full package of corporate documents and clear information on who has the right to represent the company and place payment orders.
- At the account opening stage, questions often arise about the share capital and its sources.
- Partners who are foreigners must present identity documents and confirmation of tax residence.
- The company reports the account to the VAT white list if it settles tax on goods and services in Poland.
Foreign company with an account in Poland
Foreign companies without a Polish branch can also try to open an account in a Polish bank. However, the bank requires a clear business justification and full documentation from the register of the country of seat, usually with a sworn translation.
| Account type | AML requirement level | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Sole proprietorship (JDG) – business account | Low–medium, mainly based on individual data | Freelancers, micro-entrepreneurs, simple B2B services |
| LLC (Sp. z o.o.) | Medium–high, analysis of beneficiaries and share structure | Companies employing staff, higher turnover, and long-term contracts |
| Foreign company | High, in-depth due diligence | Capital groups, international trade, shared service centers |
At Progress Holding, we help both sole proprietorship owners and boards of Polish and foreign companies. For each structure, we select a different strategy for talking to the bank to explain the business model and limit AML-related concerns.
What are the most common problems for foreigners when opening a corporate account?
The most common problems for foreigners result from incomplete documents, lack of a clear connection between the company and Poland, and unprepared answers to bank questions. Many rejections could be avoided if the application was better designed at the first attempt.
Typical formal obstacles
- Lack of a Polish PESEL number or possibly lack of a trusted profile for online banking.
- Inconsistent data between KRS, CRBR, CEIDG, and the bank application, especially with changes in the board.
- Unclear business address or only a correspondence address abroad.
- Ownership structure based on several companies from different jurisdictions without a transparent UBO.
How to limit the risk of bank refusal?
The key is to prepare a clear history of business and connections with Poland even before the first meeting with the bank. A well-prepared application shows that you know how your company earns money, where the funds come from, and who you will cooperate with.
- Prepare a short summary of activities and planned revenues in Polish or English.
- Ensure entries in CEIDG, KRS, and CRBR are up to date before you start talking to the bank.
- Gather contracts with key contractors or letters of intent confirming real business in Poland.
At Progress Holding, we conduct a mock “bank interview” with clients before they appear at the branch. Thanks to this, you know the typical questions of the advisor and have ready, consistent answers, which realistically increases the chances of a positive decision.
How does it look in practice? Progress Holding experience
On a daily basis at Progress Holding, we guide clients through the process of setting up companies and bank accounts in Poland. For foreigners, this is usually the first contact with Polish banking, AML regulations, and tax requirements, so good coordination has a huge impact on the pace of business start.
Our data from banking projects 2022–2025
Based on over 250 corporate account opening projects for foreigners, I see repetitive patterns. It is easiest to open an account for a company with a real office and team in Poland, hardest for a foreign company without local infrastructure.
- About 70% of cases end with opening an account in the first selected bank if we prepare documents from the beginning.
- In over half of the cases, the bank asks for additional explanations regarding the ultimate beneficial owner and the source of funds.
- Most rejections concern high-risk industries or structures involving companies from tax havens.
Example scenarios we handle
- IT startup with founders from Ukraine and Georgia, LLC registration, account in a Polish bank, and currency account.
- Logistics company with headquarters in Germany, Polish subsidiary, and account in Poland for settlements with domestic contractors.
- Consultant operating in the B2B model, a foreigner on temporary residence who needs an account for a sole proprietorship for a contract in Poland.
How does cooperation with Progress Holding facilitate talks with the bank?
In practice, the bank makes a decision based on documents and how clearly you present your business. We help “translate” your business reality into the language of forms, resolutions, attachments, and AML scenarios that Polish financial institutions understand.
If you wish, we can also support you more broadly: from company registration, through obtaining a PESEL or NIP, to ongoing accounting services. Thanks to this, the bank sees that an experienced office from Poland, which knows local regulations and documentation standards, stands behind your company.
Frequently asked questions
Below you will find short answers to questions I most often hear from foreigners planning a company and account in Poland. You can treat this section as a practical cheat sheet for yourself and for your future accountant.
Is a PESEL number needed to open a corporate account in Poland?
The PESEL number itself is not mandatory from the point of view of banking law, but many banks require it. PESEL facilitates remote identification, setting up a trusted profile, and later using electronic banking, so in practice, it helps a foreigner a lot.
Can a foreigner open a corporate account entirely online?
In some banks, this is possible if all representatives have a Polish e-ID or a trusted profile. In many cases, at least one visit to the branch remains required, especially with more complex ownership structures.
Can I use a foreign corporate account for settlements in Poland?
Technically, you can use an account in another country, especially within the EU, for some payments. However, for transactions between entrepreneurs over 15,000 PLN and for VAT settlements, it is safer to use an account reported on the white list maintained by the Polish tax administration.
What to do if the bank refuses to open a corporate account?
You have the right to ask for an explanation of the reasons for refusal, although the bank does not have to reveal all details of the risk analysis. In practice, it is worth improving documents, describing the business model better, and trying again in the same or another bank.
In such situations, we often step in as Progress Holding. We analyze previous correspondence, improve the structure of documents, and help you prepare for the next conversation to increase the chances of a positive consideration of the application.
Can Progress Holding help me with both company registration and account opening?
Yes, this is one of our key services for foreigners setting up a business in Poland. We can handle company registration, obtaining PESEL or NIP, notifications to offices, and preparing a complete package of documents for the bank.
Opening a corporate bank account in Poland in 2026 as a foreigner requires good preparation, but it does not have to be a stressful process. If you organize documents, explain the business model to the bank, and use local support, you will build a solid base for your business in Poland. Do you need professional support? Contact us at Progress Holding at +48 603 232 418 or via email office@progressholding.pl.
