PKO Bank Polski is not just the largest bank in the country – it is one of the few that offers real solutions for foreigners. When you decide to open a business account for your company in Poland, PKO BP is often the most practical and rational choice for non‑residents. Let’s break down why PKO BP should be your first consideration, what documents are required to open an account (personal and business), and how much it costs.

Spoiler: this is the only bank among the top five that has retained the ability to open accounts for non‑resident companies, supports sending and receiving transfers to/from Belarus, and offers the most lenient currency control conditions.

Restriction! PKO BP does not work with clients from Latvia and Bulgaria.

How long does it take to open an account at PKO Bank?

• Corporate account for a Polish company – 1–3 days

• Corporate account for a non‑resident company – from 7 days

• Personal account – 1 day

 

🥇 Why PKO Bank Polski? 5 Advantages for Non‑Residents

PKO Bank Polski is a systemically important bank with over 100 years of history, serving more than 12.4 million clients. But for a foreigner, what matters is not the numbers but the concrete possibilities.

1️⃣ Genuine work with non‑residents
Unlike many banks that claim to work with foreigners on paper but then put them through lengthy compliance processes, PKO BP is among the banks with predictable procedures for non‑residents. This is confirmed by the experience of thousands of Ukrainian, Belarusian, and other foreign entrepreneurs who have successfully opened accounts here.

2️⃣ The most lenient currency control
For businesses working with foreign counterparties, this is critical. PKO Bank Polski offers a wide selection of currency accounts (PLN, EUR, USD, GBP and many others, except RUB). The bank takes a lenient approach to confirming source of funds and does not reject payments on contrived grounds as long as you have a transparent business structure and clear contracts.

3️⃣ The only bank with transfers to/from Belarus
This is a unique advantage that sets PKO BP apart from all other Polish banks. As of today, it is the only major bank that has maintained correspondent relationships and the technical capability to make transfers to Belarus and receive payments from that country. For businesses connected to the Belarusian market, this is often a decisive factor.

4️⃣ Ability to open a business account remotely by power of attorney
For legal entities, PKO BP offers a flexible procedure. After obtaining pre‑approval and passing KYC, the account can be opened remotely – using a notarised power of attorney (pełnomocnictwo). This means that a management board member does not have to fly to Poland in person, saving time and money.

 

💼 Opening a Business Account for a Company (sp. z o.o. / JDG)

PKO BP actively works with corporate non‑resident clients and has clear procedures for foreign companies.

Company documents (corporate package)

 

Documents of company representatives (management board members / shareholders)

• Valid passport (for all authorised signatories) or ID card for EU citizens

• Residence card (karta pobytu) – not mandatory

• PESEL number – not mandatory

 

Ways to open a business account

1. Personal visit of the director (standard procedure)
After preparing the complete set of documents and undergoing pre‑screening (KYC), a meeting is scheduled at the branch. The director signs the documents in person. Decision time: 1 to 3 days.

2. 📄 Remotely by power of attorney (key advantage of PKO BP!)
If a personal visit is impossible, PKO BP allows remote account opening:

• The bank conducts a preliminary document review and gives consent (pre‑approval 3–5 days).

• The director executes a specimen signature card and a notarial power of attorney (pełnomocnictwo notarialne) for a representative in Poland before a notary (or at a consulate).

• The notarised documents and power of attorney are sent to the bank, where they are reviewed by the legal department (1–3 days).

• The account is opened without the director’s personal presence.

 

👤 Opening a Personal Account (konto osobiste) for a Foreigner

Who can open? A foreigner legally present in Poland can open an account with PKO BP. Having a PESEL number is not strictly mandatory, but it significantly simplifies the process.

Documents for an individual

 

Ways to open a personal account

• 🚀 Online (fastest method)
  If you have a Polish ID (e-dowód) and the mObywatel app, you can open PKO Konto za Zero in 5 minutes via the IKO app.

• 🏛️ In a branch (for foreigners without Polish ID)
  If you do not have a Polish identity document, a personal visit to a branch with your passport is required. In major cities (Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław), English‑speaking and Russian‑speaking staff are available.

 

💰 Service Tariffs

Exact fees depend on the chosen package and the current pricing schedule. Approximate figures for 2026 are provided below.

For individuals (PKO Konto za Zero)

 

For legal entities (Rachunek bieżący dla firm)

Exact figures must be confirmed in the bank’s tariff schedule at the time of opening.

 

✅ Conclusion: Why Choose PKO BP

PKO Bank Polski is the optimal choice for a foreigner seeking a stable, predictable bank with extensive capabilities:

• ✔️ Works with non‑residents (both individuals and legal entities)

• ✔️ Lenient currency control and straightforward AML procedures

• ✔️ The only bank with transfers to/from Belarus

• ✔️ Ability to open a business account remotely by power of attorney

• ✔️ Convenient IKO mobile app (for personal accounts)

The key is to approach document preparation seriously and provide all requested information to the bank upfront. Then the account opening will proceed smoothly and quickly.

Need help opening an account at PKO BP or another Polish bank? Contact us – we will prepare the documents, conduct a KYC consultation, and help you open an account even in complex cases! 🚀