The basic type of bank account is a savings account billing (ROR), otherwise known as a personal account. The salary will be transferred on this account and in the case of the card payments , money are also taken from this account.
Most of the Polish banks offer accounts for foreigners, however opening of such account requires the possession of the residence permit and register address in Poland.
Banks that offer accounts for foreigners only on the basis of a passport and home address (that is not the equivalent to the registration address) include ING Bank Śląski, Volkswagen Bank (VW), Nordea, Bank Millennium and BZ WBK.
The easiest way to open an account is a visit in one of the offices of the chosen bank.
Account can be also opened online. Nevertheless, the agreement must be signed in person. The most often situation is when a messenger delivers the contract, one signs it and hands it in to the messenger together with documents that are required by a bank.
Before you decide to open an account, check offers of various banks. There are different conditions, additional services, securities, commissions and costs. Below, you can find the comparison of the average interest rates of the accounts offered by the traditional banks but that can be accessed online; as of August 2009. Source: Expander.
Source: Expander, banks
Assumptions for the above table: 2000 PLN supplies the account, a client makes 5 online transfers and makes 5 card payments of 100 PLN each. The average month balance is 1000 PLN, a client makes 3 paying outs of cash machines (ATM) – 100 PLN each.
If you decided for a particular bank and account, please read terms of opening and management of an account. Such conditions can be found at that bank’s website and in the contract. You can also ask a bank consultant for this information. It is should be born in mind that it is easy to overlook information that can be important, especially concerning the additional costs of operating the account. Therefore, you should personally get to know the contract and regulations.
An application form for setting up an account includes personal information, frequently also concerning an employment status or salary. Some accounts can be opened by unemployed persons. In an applications form you can also specify additional services, such as cards, online or mobile phone access.
After concluding an agreement, a payment card will be sent to you by post or handed in at the bank office. You will also receive a 4 digit PIN code. It is your e-signature. You will receive it by post or by phone.
Remember that the PIN should be known only by yourself. Bank employees or any other people do not have a right to require it from you. |
