Banks and transfers in Warsaw

Banks in Warsaw for foreigners: how to open an account and where to transfer money

Financial infrastructure is the first thing anyone moving to Warsaw has to deal with. Without a Polish bank account you can’t rent a flat officially, receive a salary, pay utilities, or prove financial solvency when signing a lease. Yet the task of opening an account in Warsaw as a foreigner plays out very differently depending on whether you have a PESEL, your residence status, and your citizenship. We break down which banks genuinely work with non-residents, what you actually need, and how to avoid losing money on transfers.

Which banks in Warsaw open accounts for foreigners

Polish banks are formally required to comply with anti-money-laundering (AML) legislation, so accounts for citizens of Russia and Belarus are opened selectively. That said, it is entirely possible — with the right documents.

PKO BP — Poland’s largest state-owned bank, with a physical presence in every district of Warsaw. It opens accounts for EU citizens without difficulty. For Russian and Belarusian nationals it requires a PESEL plus a valid residence permit (Karta Pobytu) or Karta Polaka. Without these documents, a refusal is almost guaranteed. Account maintenance costs from 0 to 8–10 PLN/month, depending on the plan.

mBank operates entirely online, with an interface available in English. It is popular among IT professionals and digital nomads. Requirements are similar to PKO BP, but call-centre managers tend to be more flexible. The card is issued free of charge; monthly maintenance is 0 PLN when turnover conditions are met (from 1,000 PLN/month).

Santander PL — convenient for those who already hold a Santander account in another country: partial verification through the group network is possible. An English interface is available. Monthly fee — around 6–9 PLN, debit card issued free of charge.

Insider tip: A number of PKO BP and Santander branches require a prior appointment for foreigners opening an account — without one, a manager may turn you away at the door even if you have all the necessary documents. It is best to book online 3–5 days in advance.

What you need to open an account: documents and PESEL

PESEL — the Polish resident identification number — is effectively required to open an account at most banks. You can obtain it at the Urząd Dzielnicy (district office) with proof of your right to stay: a rental agreement, employment contract, or Polish registration.

Minimum set of documents required to open an account:

• International passport (not expired)
• PESEL
• Registered address in Poland (a temporary registration — meldunek — is acceptable)
• For citizens of Russia/Belarus — additionally a Karta Pobytu or other document confirming legal residence

Without a PESEL number, the only accounts you can open are with Revolut or Wise — as non-banking services, they do not require Polish registration. This is a workable solution for the first one to three months while you wait for your PESEL.

Comparing banks and services for Russian speakers in Warsaw

Prices in the table are market reference points: government fees and third-party rates at the time of publication. These are not SVOY prices — our service fees are provided on request and in the ’Services’ section.

Transfers from Warsaw: Wise, Revolut, and what works in 2026

The question of how to transfer money from Warsaw remains one of the most pressing for the diaspora. SWIFT transfers to Russia and Belarus are blocked by most Polish banks directly. Alternatives:

Wise — the most transparent service for transfers in USD, EUR, GBP, TRY, and other currencies. Fee — the real interbank rate plus 0.4–1.2% depending on the direction. Options for CIS transfers are limited, but Georgia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Turkey work reliably.

Revolut is handy for everyday expenses and transfers within Europe. The basic plan allows fee-free currency exchange up to €1,000/month. Beyond that limit, a 0.5% fee applies. Transfers between Revolut users are instant and free.

Western Union / MoneyGram — outlets are available in Warsaw and serve certain CIS destinations, but the exchange rate is considerably worse than Wise. Used as a backup channel.

Insider tip: Many Russian speakers in Warsaw use the ’Poland → Georgia → Russia’ route via Wise plus a Georgian bank. This is legal, but requires an account at a Georgian bank (TBC, Bank of Georgia) and takes 1–3 business days. Opening a Georgian account remotely has become harder since 2023 — it is best done in person.

Common mistakes

1. Walking into a bank without an appointment. Many PKO BP and Santander branches only see foreign nationals by prior appointment. Showing up unannounced means losing half a day and leaving empty-handed.

2. Trying to open a bank account before receiving a PESEL. A Polish bank account without a PESEL is nearly impossible to obtain. Revolut is a stopgap, not a real substitute for an account needed for rent and payroll.

3. Ignoring the minimum turnover condition. At mBank, free account maintenance applies only with a turnover of at least 1,000 PLN/month. If the account sits idle, fees will be charged automatically.

4. Sending a SWIFT transfer directly to a Russian bank. Polish banks block such transfers and may freeze your account pending investigation — a serious problem that can take weeks to resolve.

5. Confusing Revolut with a Polish bank account. A Revolut card does not have a Polish IBAN (PL). Some landlords and employers will not accept it for official transactions.

6. Not checking KYC status before large transfers. Wise and Revolut may freeze a transaction for verification on amounts above 3,000–5,000 EUR. If documents are not prepared in advance, the money can be held for 3–10 days.

Practical takeaway

The optimal setup for a Russian speaker in Warsaw in 2026: Revolut or Wise for the first few months before receiving a PESEL, then opening an account at mBank (if working remotely) or PKO BP / Santander (if you need a branch-based bank for official transactions). For international transfers — Wise as the primary tool, with an awareness of its directional limitations. A Georgian account as a transit channel is a separate matter best arranged in advance, not in a moment of urgent need.