How to open a corporate bank account in Poland
You open a Polish corporate bank account after the company is registered in the National Court Register (KRS) and has a tax number (NIP). Prepare a full AML/KYC pack for the company, directors, and UBOs, attend bank onboarding (often in-branch), and then report the IBAN to the tax office so it appears on the VAT “white list.”
Choosing the legal form and what banks expect to see
Banks look first at your legal form, representation rules, and UBO transparency. For companies, management board members are the statutory signatories unless the articles require joint signatures or mandates.
| Legal form | Minimum capital | Registrar | Typical signatories | Ease of onboarding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sp. z o.o. (limited liability company) | PLN 5,000 (Commercial Companies Code) | KRS (district court) | Management board per articles (single or joint) | Standard; most common for SMEs |
| P.S.A. (simple joint-stock company) | PLN 1 (Commercial Companies Code) | KRS (district court) | Board or director(s); flexible governance | Generally acceptable; explain governance and share register |
| S.A. (joint-stock company) | PLN 100,000 (Commercial Companies Code) | KRS (district court) | Management board; often two signatures | Higher scrutiny; suited to larger enterprises |
| Sole trader (działalność jednoosobowa) | None | CEIDG | Owner | Fastest, but not a separate legal entity |
Capital minima stem from the Commercial Companies Code (Kodeks spółek handlowych) (ISAP – KSH).
The sequence and a realistic timeline
- Incorporate via S24/PRS and obtain KRS; NIP and REGON are issued through the integrated process following KRS entry (official portals: eKRS).
- Report beneficial owners to CRBR within 7 days of KRS entry and within 7 days of any change (Art. 60 et seq., Act of 1 March 2018 AML) (ISAP – AML Act).
- Complete bank onboarding; non‑resident ownership, complex structures, or regulated activities can extend timing.
- After account opening, file NIP‑8 (KRS entities) or update CEIDG-1 (sole traders) to report the IBAN within 7 days (Art. 9 and 9a, Act on registration and identification of taxpayers and payers) (ISAP – NIP Act).
- Your IBAN then appears on the VAT “white list” maintained by the Ministry of Finance (podatki.gov.pl – VAT list). If you are pending VAT registration, counterparties may defer payments to avoid withholding risks.
Documents and AML/KYC pack Polish banks require
Expect a document‑driven process. Prepare originals/scans and, for foreign documents, notarisation/apostille and sworn Polish translations.
| Item | Who issues it | Legalisation | Translation needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRS current extract | Court register (eKRS) | Not required (Polish) | No |
| Articles/statute; management board appointment | Notary/KRS filing | Not required if Polish | No |
| Shareholder/UBO evidence (CRBR printout; share register/notarial deed) | CRBR; company/notary | Foreign deeds: notarised/apostilled | Yes, sworn PL for foreign docs |
| IDs and proof of address for directors/UBOs | Government/utility | Notarised/apostilled if foreign | Yes, sworn PL |
| Tax numbers (NIP; foreign TINs for CRS/FATCA) | Tax authorities | As issued | If foreign, PL translation on request |
| Business model, website, key contracts, expected volumes/countries, source of funds | Company | N/A | English/Polish preferred |
Onboarding routes and bank options
| Route | Presence required | Typical timeline | Languages | Pros/cons | Notes for non‑residents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In‑branch (PKO BP, Pekao, Santander, mBank, ING, BNP Paribas) | Usually at least one signatory in person | Several days to a few weeks | PL; some EN support | Widest product set; predictable; travel needed | Bring apostilled/translated UBO docs; plan for video due diligence |
| Limited remote onboarding | Sometimes none if PESEL/Trusted Profile and qualified e‑signature | Varies by bank | PL/EN | Convenient; eligibility narrow | Often unavailable if no PESEL or complex ownership |
| EMIs with PL IBANs | Online | Often faster | EN | Quick setup; limitations on cash, cheques, some incoming wires | Check that IBAN is PL and acceptable to counterparties |
Practical issues for foreign founders
Be ready for an in‑person visit; some banks accept a local director under power of attorney. Apostilles and sworn Polish translations add processing time. Enhanced due diligence applies for cross‑border groups, cash‑intensive or regulated activities; crypto, gambling, FX, and bulk commodities face higher decline rates. Banks often ask for an office lease, initial payroll/VAT plans, and a clear signatory matrix resolved by board resolution before the meeting.
Post‑opening steps and recurring obligations
- Report the IBAN on NIP‑8/CEIDG‑1 so it appears on the VAT “white list” (podatki.gov.pl – VAT list).
- A VAT split‑payment sub‑account is created by banks under the Polish VAT Act (Art. 108a et seq.) (ISAP – VAT Act).
- Expect periodic KYC refreshes; update CRBR within 7 days of changes (AML Act) (ISAP – AML Act).
- File annual financial statements: prepare within 3 months, approve within 6 months, file to KRS within 15 days after approval (Accounting Act) (ISAP – Accounting Act).
Costs, service levels, and how to de‑risk your file
Banks typically charge a monthly account fee, domestic/SEPA/SWIFT transfer fees, and FX spreads; packages and service levels vary by bank. De‑risk the case by pre‑clearing: provide a concise business plan, sample contracts, supplier/buyer lists, a group chart down to natural persons, and sanctions/PEP attestations. Agree internally who signs what (single vs joint) and minute this in a board/shareholder resolution aligned with the articles.
FAQs
Can I open a Polish corporate bank account remotely, without visiting a branch?
Occasionally, yes—mainly if signatories have PESEL, a Trusted Profile, and a qualified e‑signature. Most non‑resident founders should plan for at least one in‑person visit.
What documents must a Polish bank see for a Sp. z o.o., and do they need apostilles/translations?
KRS extract, articles, board appointment, CRBR/UBO evidence, IDs and proof of address of directors/UBOs, NIP and foreign TINs, and a business profile. Foreign documents generally require notarisation/apostille and sworn Polish translations.
How long does it take if shareholders or directors are non‑residents?
Expect longer onboarding due to enhanced due diligence and document legalisation. Build in extra time for apostilles and CRBR/UBO clarifications.
Do I need a Polish PESEL or Trusted Profile to be a bank signatory, and can I use eIDAS signatures?
They are not legally required to be a signatory, but many banks rely on PESEL/Trusted Profile for remote flows. eIDAS‑qualified signatures are increasingly accepted, yet policies differ by bank.
How do I get my company’s IBAN onto the VAT “white list,” and what happens if it’s not listed?
File NIP‑8/CEIDG‑1 with the bank account details; the tax authority updates the register (podatki.gov.pl – VAT list). If not listed, prudent counterparties may delay or use split payment until the IBAN appears.
Next step
Banking and tax outcomes depend on your residence, the group structure, and the business model. The pragmatic next step: we shortlist 2–3 banks aligned with your risk profile, pre‑vet your KYC pack, and schedule the onboarding; I will provide a tailored document checklist and draft the necessary board resolutions this week.