How do I open a bank account in Poland with only a visitors visa?

mephias:

Ziemniak

Yes I also opened an account in Citibank Handlowy. Only your passport is enough. Bad thing you have to sign many papers in Polish without understand anything. And nearly all people working in Citibank speak at least basic english, So I recommend it.

ZiemniakThreads: 3 Posts: 8 Joined: Sep 2, 08	Dec 2, 08, 14:54 / #
I am a foreigner living in Poland. What are the requirements to open a basic savings account or checking account in Poland? I do not have residency but am here on a Visitor's Visa. Do I need residency to open an account?

SeanBMThreads: 41 Posts: 8,727 Joined: Mar 10, 08	Dec 2, 08, 14:59 / #
Hi Ziemniak. Just walk into a bank with your passport. Good luck

delphiandomineThreads: 42 Posts: 9,954 Joined: Nov 25, 08 [Suspended]	Dec 2, 08, 15:33 / #
If you're on a visa, best bet is via mbank - they're somewhat lax with their checks, as they only demand that you 'declare residency'.

ZiemniakThreads: 3 Posts: 8 Joined: Sep 2, 08	Dec 2, 08, 16:09 / #
Thanks for the advice SeanBM. :-) delphiandomine: I remember a visit to Poland years ago; I frequented a mBank and promised to open an account only to be able to use their free internet access. This lasted two weeks until they finally made me fill in a form, which I refused to do. So much for free internet access. Thanks for the tips. Please keep them coming.

delphiandomineThreads: 42 Posts: 9,954 Joined: Nov 25, 08 [Suspended]	Dec 2, 08, 19:17 / #
The other thing I should say is that mbank categorically don't demand residency from EU citizens. I'm not sure about non-EU however - but I opened an account without any sort of registration at the time. Nordea (in Poznan, at least) have signs on their doors saying WE SPEAK ENGLISH, so they might be worth investigating. There's threads on here which suggest to avoid PKO like the plague, however.

mephiasThreads: 15 Posts: 812 Joined: Nov 14, 08 MEMBER	Jul 29, 09, 16:43 / #
Ziemniak: Ziemniak Yes I also opened an account in Citibank Handlowy. Only your passport is enough. Bad thing you have to sign many papers in Polish without understand anything. And nearly all people working in Citibank speak at least basic english, So I recommend it.

CladdaghThreads: 1 Posts: 2 Joined: Aug 5, 09	Aug 5, 09, 13:50 / #
I was able to open both a savings and regular account at WBK using only my passport and umowa najmu as proof of residency. They both allow you internet access. They also speak English, and they have even mastered the queue, as many branches have a number system!

gumishuThreads: 17 Posts: 3,943 Joined: Apr 6, 09	Aug 5, 09, 14:03 / #
mephias: Ziemniak Yes I also opened an account in Citibank Handlowy. Only your passport is enough. Bad thing you have to sign many papers in Polish without understand anything. And nearly all people working in Citibank speak at least basic english, So I recommend it. it really is not difficult to find a Polish helping hand (or rather eye) to go with you to the bank

groovygThreads: 1 Posts: 51 Joined: Jun 18, 07	Sep 15, 09, 19:52 / #
at the time millennium bank allowed to open accounts without too much hassle. don't know how it is today. they also offer a great service in general.

lowfunk99Threads: 18 Posts: 435 Joined: Jan 7, 08	Sep 16, 09, 00:44 / #
I opened an account and Dominet bank, no problems.

roalexThreads: 14 Posts: 44 Joined: Oct 21, 07	Sep 16, 09, 06:50 / #
Although I am not in Poland now. I did open an account at Citibank Handlowy. People there spoke English and it wasn't a problem at all. I can also access internet baking all in English. All I needed was a passport and an address.