You'll likely open a Polish account in two stages — before and after PESEL
Most Bangladeshi students arrive able to open a basic account with just a passport and proof of student status, then upgrade it once their PESEL number and meldunek (address registration) come through. Figures below are approximate (1 PLN ≈ ৳33) — verify current fees and requirements directly with each bank before opening an account.
What you actually need to open an account
Requirements vary by bank, and this is the single biggest source of confusion for new arrivals — some banks will onboard you before you have a PESEL, most will not offer full functionality until you do.
- ✓Passport with your valid Polish student visa or karta pobytu
Every bank requires this as your primary ID document — bring the original, not a photocopy, to any branch appointment.
- ✓Proof of student status
Your university admission or enrolment letter, and later your legitymacja studencka (student ID card), for student-account eligibility and fee waivers.
- ✓Confirmation of your Polish address (meldunek or a rental contract)
Some banks accept a signed rental agreement as address proof before your formal meldunek registration is complete.
- ✓PESEL number, once you have it
Not always required to open a basic account, but almost always required to unlock full functionality — BLIK, higher transfer limits, and some card types.
Which banks accept you without a PESEL
This changes bank by bank and even branch by branch, so treat this as a starting point for questions, not a guarantee.
| Bank | Onboarding without PESEL | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PKO BP | Sometimes, verify per branch | Poland's largest bank, huge branch network, widely used by international students once PESEL is issued |
| mBank | Often more flexible for foreigners | Popular fully-digital option, strong English-language app, a common first choice for students |
| Santander | Sometimes, verify per branch | Large branch network, has dedicated foreigner-friendly account options in some cities |
| ING Bank Śląski | Sometimes, verify per branch | Strong digital banking, decent English support in major cities |
| Pekao | Sometimes, verify per branch | Long-established bank, wide branch coverage including smaller cities |
| Revolut | Yes — no PESEL needed | Not a Polish resident bank account but works immediately with just your passport; excellent for the first weeks before your Polish account is fully active |
Because policy varies by branch and changes over time, call or email the specific branch nearest your accommodation before visiting, and ask directly: "Can I open a student account without a PESEL number yet, using my visa and enrolment letter?" Many students open Revolut immediately on arrival as a working card and account while they sort PESEL and a full Polish bank account in parallel.
BLIK — the payment method you'll use constantly
BLIK is Poland's near-universal mobile payment system, built into almost every Polish bank's app.
Once your Polish bank account and app are active, BLIK lets you pay in shops, online, and at ATMs using a rotating 6-digit code generated in your banking app instead of a physical card — it's accepted almost everywhere in Poland, from supermarkets to vending machines to splitting a restaurant bill with friends (BLIK also supports instant peer-to-peer transfers by phone number). Most Polish student life, from paying kaucja (deposit) top-ups to splitting rent with flatmates, runs through BLIK rather than card swipes — set it up in your bank's app as soon as your account is fully active.
Free student accounts and ATM fees
Nearly every major Polish bank waives monthly fees for account holders under roughly 26, provided you meet basic conditions.
PKO BP, mBank, Santander, ING and Pekao all market a free or near-free student/youth account (often requiring proof of enrolment and sometimes a minimum monthly card spend or one incoming transfer to keep it fee-free — check the exact condition, since missing it can trigger a small monthly charge retroactively). Withdrawing cash from your own bank's ATM network is normally free; using another bank's ATM can carry a fee of roughly PLN 5–10 (≈ ৳165–330) per withdrawal, so stick to your own bank's ATMs or Euronet machines your bank has a partnership with where possible.
Cheapest ways to send money from Dhaka to Poland
A direct bank wire from a Bangladeshi bank to a Polish account is almost always the slowest and most expensive route — compare before sending tuition or living costs.
| Method | Typical cost/rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wise | Low transparent % fee + small fixed charge | Usually cheapest, mid-market exchange rate shown upfront, transfers typically land within 1–2 days |
| Direct bank wire (Bangladeshi bank → Polish account) | Higher flat fee (often ৳2,000–4,000+) + weaker exchange rate margin | Slower (can take several days) and usually the most expensive route — mainly used for large one-off tuition payments where the receiving university requires a formal wire |
| Authorised exchange houses / money transfer operators | Varies — compare the effective exchange rate, not just the advertised fee | Can be competitive for cash-to-account transfers, but always confirm Bangladesh Bank compliance and get a receipt |
Do the taka maths on the total received, not the advertised fee alone: at roughly 1 PLN ≈ ৳33, sending the equivalent of PLN 3,000 (≈ ৳99,000) in monthly living costs through a weak-exchange-rate bank wire can cost you several thousand extra taka compared to Wise's mid-market rate — always compare the final PLN amount that actually lands in your account, not just the taka you sent. Use only regulated, legal channels (registered banks, Wise, or licensed exchange houses) — informal hundi-style transfers are illegal under Bangladesh Bank regulations and offer no recourse if the transfer fails.
- 1
Open a Revolut account before you fly, or in your first days
Works immediately with just your passport and gives you a working card while your Polish bank account is being sorted.
- 2
Apply for your PESEL as soon as you have a registered address
Do this at your local Urząd Miasta/Gmina — it unlocks full banking, NFZ registration, and most Polish contracts.
- 3
Open a free student account at a major Polish bank
Compare PKO BP, mBank, Santander, ING and Pekao's current student-account terms before choosing.
- 4
Set up BLIK in your banking app
It becomes your default way to pay almost everywhere in Poland.
- 5
Route ongoing remittances through Wise
Compare it against your bank's own international transfer option each time, since rates shift.
Verify current requirements and fees before opening an account
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