If you are looking to set up a business in the European Union, you can consider establishing your firm in Poland. This is because setting up a business in Poland offers various benefits to entrepreneurs such as access to a skilled workforce, low tax, access to Special Economic Zones, tax advantages, and various other benefits.
However, while setting up a business, one of the most important steps is opening a bank account in Poland. Opening a bank account in Poland offers numerous benefits to entrepreneurs including the ability to access online and mobile banking, better cash flow management, and ease of managing personal and business finances. But how will you open a bank account in Poland? Your can register your company in Poland with us and we will also provide assistance with opening a bank account there.
Through this article, we will be explaining the procedure for opening a bank account in Poland. In addition to that, we will be covering the factors that you must think about while choosing a bank and how you can choose the right bank for your needs in Poland.
Documentation Needed For Opening A Bank Account In Poland
The most important papers that are needed to start a bank account in Poland are a residency card for ex-pats who got their residency allowance in Poland or a passport. Interested candidates must note that the required documentation for opening a bank account in Poland may vary from bank to bank. There are some financial institutions that only require identification evidence, while others might require residential proof.
The following are the mandatory documents needed for opening a Polish bank account:
- Identification proof: In order to open a business bank account in Poland, you’ll need to present legitimate government-issued documentation as identification evidence, such as a passport.
- Evidence of address: Electricity bills, statements from banks, or other official documents that are less than three months old are acceptable forms of evidence of address.
- Evidence of employment: You can be required to provide documentation showing your employment if you need overdraft choices, such as an employment contract.
- Residency card for ex-pats
Opening A Bank Account For Companies In Poland
Starting a Polish bank account is necessary when you’re commencing a firm there. For firms that are large or medium-sized, it’s a mandatory step. Only small or micro-business owners can be exempt from starting a bank account while establishing a business. But not starting a bank account with the business can prove to have its own set of disadvantages. It is better to have a bank account in Poland as it helps in handling all the financial challenges.
Small firms that don’t wish to start a bank account in Poland will have to meet some other terms, like keeping a lower yearly net turnover and a restricted number of workers. When they get exempted from opening a bank account, they also have to submit fewer taxes and social contributions. Plus, they can also take the tax refund in cash. Firms in Poland that are liable for VAT, and have filed for VAT refunds, should have a corporate Polish bank account.
Read More: Taxes In Poland
Business bank account establishment in Poland is done by getting hands with the legal structure’s registration paperwork. As soon as the firm is established, you can submit the gathered documents. The registration happens at the Central Register and Information on Economic Activity, (CEIDG), and when the firm is registered, it becomes easier to start a bank account as the firm owner isn’t needed to provide the bank account data separately.
The funders who are away and cannot participate in the bank account opening process can contact any agency that provides such services. Applicants can consider contacting us at OnDemand International, as we work with our skilled staff to provide our clients with the best possible services.
Conditions For Transferring Money From Or To Poland
Entrepreneurs and home investors who make money from Poland, but aren’t based in the nation, and have to transfer their salary, may find the bank’s regulations regarding money transfers worth studying.
If you wish to send in around 7.000 euros in Poland, you can easily transfer it without going through any border declaration. For the amount topping 10.000 euros, the trader is asked to provide a form of the declaration at the border. So, it is suggested that the trader uses the method of EU standard transfer, as it’s the fastest, cheapest, and most manageable way of sending huge amounts from Poland. It is to be noted that this EU standard transfer can only be done for withdrawals in the EU.
If one wishes to carry out money transfer between nations outside the EU, and Poland, they can use the different services available for that purpose. It is to be kept in mind that these regulations only apply to fund transfers. But the laws in Poland regarding money transfer, offer several principles.
How To Choose Right Bank In Poland?
Picking up the right bank is an important choice for one to make. Your choice of financial institution will decide the growth of your business and will result in good or bad management of your finances. The choice of a good bank is done based on its quickness of completing the process of opening a bank account, the charges implied, ATM units provided by the bank, etc. The investors who start a firm in Poland are also keen to learn about the policies of the bank towards their business clients and services like the merchant account, needed to run e-retail and digital market.
Several financial institutions provide digital and general facilities for businesses that already have a physical branch in existence. The accessibility, quality, and availability of operations and trustable digital and mobile facilities, can be a strong criterion for choosing the bank to deal with.
Poland allows the investors to pick from the banks state-owned banks, commercial banks, and cooperative banks. The most popular European financial institutions also have branches in Poland. Usually, all the banks provide digital account access, and multiple banks only work online and don’t have a physical unit. Once the firm is registered, the manager should pick the right bank by focusing on all the criteria important for his firm.
Major banks in Poland for creating a business bank account
Here are some major financial institutions in Poland:
- Santander Bank Polska – It’s a universal financial institution and also the largest when studied from the perspective of assets.
- PKO BP – The largest financial institution in regards to property which also offers private and commercial banking opportunities to firms and individuals.
- ING Bank Slaski – It is a Dutch ING financial institution in Poland, established after the merger between the ING bank branch, and Bank Slaski. That resulted in the name modification.
- Bank Millennium – A corporate bank founded by Millennium BCP, amongst the greatest banks in Poland that’s been running for 25+ years.
- MBank – Despite only having 47 offices nationwide, the bank uses third-party agreements with ATM networks to serve its more than 5 million customers. With the help of its online and telephone customer support, you can easily complete all of your desired banking transactions.
Factors to think about while choosing a bank in Poland
Entrepreneurs who wish to start a bank account in Poland should know that some financial institutions that don’t benefit much from promotion, may render less costly services than the general banks. So, any businessman must compare and study multiple offers concerning their service cost and quality. The services to be taken into consideration are as follows, cash loans, currency exchange, cash processing, local & international fund transfer, cash-in-transit, account maintenance charge, cash loans, etc.
Here are certain factors that you can consider when you think about choosing a bank:
Fees
When picking a bank, it is important to compare institutions and take into account all potential expenses. You have to consider numerous fees like ATM fees, maintenance charges, minimum balance, and so on.
Services offered
Another factor that you may consider while choosing a bank in Poland is the various services offered by the bank. Compare the different services such as borrowing and credit facilities, international money transfers, and so on.
Accessibility
While selecting a bank, compare the number of branches and ATM facilities that are available in the nation.
Customer support services
The majority of banks have call centers and staff that communicate in English. There could possibly be a few exceptions, though. Before you sign an agreement, be cautious to verify the service languages.
Fees associated with opening a business bank account in Poland
There are different types of fees associated with opening a business bank account in Poland, including the ones mentioned below:
- Credit and Debit cards: Some financial institutions may levy fees for using a credit or debit card.
- International transactions: There are charges associated with doing international transactions.
- Monthly maintenance fees: Some bank charges fees for opening and maintaining the corporate bank account in Poland.
- ATM withdrawal fees: The fees charged by various banks for using ATMs to withdraw cash vary.
Conclusion
Opening a bank account in Poland is possible for both, residents, and also for foreign nationals. Opening a Polish bank account assist entrepreneurs in managing their finances more efficiently as it help separate the business finances from individual finances. However, while opening a bank account in Poland you must select the bank that best fits your business needs. In order to do that, you must consider various factors like the accessibility of ATMs, branches available, services offered by the bank, charges and fees of the bank, and so on.
If you want to register a business in Poland and need assistance with opening a bank account in Poland, you can speak with our professionals at OnDemand International. Our professionals can help you with the process and direct you toward the bank that will most likely meet your demands as a business.
FAQ’s
Both residents and non-residents are permitted to create a Polish bank account. However, if you don’t speak Polish fluently, understanding what’s required can be difficult, as regulations differ from institution to institution.
Although micro-businesses in Poland may be free from creating a bank account while establishing their firm in some instances; nevertheless, skipping this step can result in some drawbacks in practice, since it will be simpler to manage financial concerns whilst doing operations in the nation.
Foreign citizens who want to build a company in Poland would most certainly have a personal account. The ones who have recently arrived in the nation and the people for whom verbal communication may be an issue can contact us for alternatives that will meet their needs.
The documentation needed to open a bank account in Poland is as follows:
- Identification proof such as passport
- Address proof such as rental agreements
- Work history and pay stubs for credit cards or overdraft alternatives
Yes, most of the banks in Poland allow individuals to open online bank accounts.
