Bank Account for Ukrainians in Poland
Since 2022, over 1.5 million Ukrainians have moved to Poland — and a Polish bank account is one of the first things you need. You need it to receive your salary, pay rent, buy a phone plan, and handle everyday life. The good news: Polish banks have simplified the process for Ukrainian citizens. Some banks now accept Ukrainian passports directly, and digital banks like Revolut let you open an account in 10 minutes without any Polish documents. This guide explains exactly what you need and which bank to choose.
Quick Answer / Коротка відповідь
Yes, Ukrainians can open a bank account in Poland with a Ukrainian passport
Fastest option: Revolut — 10 minutes, no PESEL, app in Ukrainian
Best Polish bank: mBank — free, online, English app, no PESEL needed
Best strategy: Open Revolut now + mBank or PKO for salary and bills
Table of Contents
Best Banks for Ukrainians in Poland (2026)
Not all Polish banks make it easy for Ukrainian citizens. We ranked these banks by how simple the process actually is — considering Ukrainian passport acceptance, PESEL requirements, language support, and speed.
Revolut
Fastest — open in 10 minutes
mBank
Best full Polish bank for Ukrainians
PKO Bank Polski
Largest bank — helps with PESEL
BNP Paribas
Good for employed Ukrainians
What Documents Do Ukrainians Need?
Requirements depend on your status in Poland. Here are the three most common situations for Ukrainian citizens:
With Temporary Protection (Ochrona Tymczasowa)
If you arrived after February 24, 2022 and registered for temporary protection:
With Work Visa or Residence Permit
If you have a standard work visa or Karta Pobytu:
Just Arrived — No Documents Yet
If you just arrived and don't have PESEL or residence permit yet:
PESEL for Ukrainians — How to Get It
PESEL is Poland's national identification number. Most banks require it, and you'll need it for employment, healthcare, and government services. Here's how Ukrainian citizens can get it:
PESEL UKR (Temporary Protection)
If you registered for temporary protection under the Special Act (Specustawa), you received a PESEL UKR automatically. This is a full PESEL number that works at every bank. Check your registration confirmation — the 11-digit number is your PESEL.
Standard PESEL (for non-refugee Ukrainians)
If you're in Poland on a work visa or residence permit, apply for PESEL at any municipal office (Urząd Gminy):
Step-by-Step: Open Your Account Today
Recommended approach: Open Revolut right now (10 min, works immediately). Then open mBank or PKO once you have your PESEL. Use Revolut for international transfers and the Polish bank for salary, rent, and bills.
Get a Polish phone number
Buy a prepaid SIM card from Plus, Play, T-Mobile, or Orange. Costs 5-20 PLN at any kiosk or electronics store. You need this for SMS verification at every bank.
Download Revolut and open account
Download the Revolut app (available in Ukrainian). Sign up with your Ukrainian passport — no PESEL, no Polish address needed. You'll get a Polish IBAN and virtual card in 10 minutes. You can already receive money and pay with BLIK.
Apply for PESEL
Visit your local Urząd Gminy with your passport and visa/residence permit. If you have temporary protection, you already have PESEL UKR. Processing is free.
Open a Polish bank account
With your PESEL, open mBank (online, 15 min) or visit PKO Bank Polski (in branch, some locations have Ukrainian-speaking staff). Give your employer this account's IBAN for salary payments.
Set up your financial life
Set up standing orders for rent and utilities from your Polish bank. Use Revolut or Wise when you need to send money to family in Ukraine — much cheaper than bank transfers.
Sending Money to Ukraine from Poland
Many Ukrainians in Poland send money to family back home. Traditional Polish banks charge 50-100 PLN per international transfer and use bad exchange rates. Here are much cheaper options:
| Method | Fee (5,000 PLN) | Exchange rate | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | ~20 PLN | Mid-market rate | 1-2 days |
| Revolut | ~15 PLN | Near mid-market | Instant - 1 day |
| Polish bank (SWIFT) | 50-100 PLN | Bad markup | 3-5 days |
| Western Union | 30-60 PLN | Markup | Minutes (cash pickup) |
Temporary Protection Status and Banking
Ukrainian citizens who arrived in Poland after February 24, 2022 can register for temporary protection (ochrona tymczasowa) under the Special Act. This gives you important banking benefits:
Automatic PESEL UKR number — works at all Polish banks
Right to work in Poland — employers can pay you to your Polish account
Access to Polish healthcare (NFZ) — linked to your PESEL
Ability to open any Polish bank account with full services
Protection extended through 2026 under EU directive
Important: If you haven't registered for temporary protection yet, visit your local Urząd Gminy as soon as possible. Registration is free and gives you PESEL, work permit, and healthcare access. Bring your Ukrainian passport and any travel documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a bank account with only a Ukrainian internal passport?▼
It depends on the bank. Revolut accepts Ukrainian internal passports (ID cards). Traditional Polish banks usually require an international passport. If you only have an internal passport, start with Revolut while you arrange other documents.
Do I need to speak Polish to open an account?▼
No. Revolut has a Ukrainian-language app. mBank offers full English account opening online. PKO Bank Polski has Ukrainian-speaking staff at branches in Warsaw, Krakow, Wroclaw, and other cities with large Ukrainian communities. Many bank branches in Poland now have at least one employee who speaks Ukrainian.
What is PESEL UKR and how is it different from regular PESEL?▼
PESEL UKR is a standard 11-digit PESEL number issued to Ukrainian citizens under temporary protection. It works exactly the same as a regular PESEL — banks, employers, and government offices all accept it. The only difference is the registration process (through the temporary protection system rather than standard residence registration).
Can I receive my salary to Revolut?▼
Yes. Revolut gives you a Polish IBAN (starts with PL...) that works like any Polish bank account. Most employers accept it for salary payments. However, some employers or government agencies prefer traditional Polish banks. In that case, use mBank or PKO Bank Polski for salary and Revolut for international transfers.
What is the cheapest way to send money from Poland to Ukraine?▼
Can I use BLIK with a Ukrainian bank account?▼
No — BLIK only works with Polish bank accounts. You need to open a Polish account (Revolut, mBank, PKO, etc.) to use BLIK. Once you have a Polish account, BLIK lets you pay in stores, online, split bills with friends, and withdraw cash from ATMs using a 6-digit code.
Is my money safe in a Polish bank as a Ukrainian citizen?▼
Yes. All Polish banks are protected by the Bank Guarantee Fund (BFG), which insures deposits up to EUR 100,000 per person per bank — regardless of your citizenship. Revolut has the same protection under its Lithuanian banking license. Your nationality does not affect deposit protection.
What happens to my bank account if my temporary protection expires?▼
Your bank account stays open. Polish banks do not close accounts when temporary protection expires. However, you may need to provide updated residence documents when renewing your identity verification. Temporary protection has been extended through 2026 under EU directive. If you plan to stay longer, consider applying for a standard residence permit (Karta Pobytu).
Open Your Polish Bank Account Today
Start with Revolut — it takes 10 minutes and works with just your Ukrainian passport. Then open mBank or PKO for salary and bills once you have your PESEL.