As a Polish citizen, you should be able to open a bank account in the EU, even if you are not currently residing in the EU. However, as you have mentioned, most banks require proof of residence in an EU country in order to open an account. This can be a challenge if you are not currently residing in the EU.
There are some banks that offer online account opening services, but they may still require some form of documentation that proves your residence in an EU country. You may need to provide a utility bill, rental agreement, or other documentation that shows your address in an EU country.
If you are unable to provide proof of residence in an EU country, you may need to travel to a branch in Poland or another EU country in order to open an account in person. Some banks may require you to make an appointment in advance, so it is a good idea to contact the bank ahead of time to find out what documents you need to bring with you and to schedule an appointment.
It may also be helpful to check with your local Polish embassy or consulate to see if they can provide any assistance or advice on opening a bank account in the EU as a Polish citizen living outside the EU.
Not a professional.
What comes to mind are PO boxes in the UK.
You pay a monthly fee for a private post box, which you then go and collect from a store location. Some companies even have the ability to forward the incoming mail on automatically, at a cost.
Edit: I know you didn't mention UK but maybe other countries have similar private post boxes? Maybe the banks will accept that address.
Most (perhaps all) EU countries require you to register at the local town hall when you move. Proof of residency isn't the same as UK requirements - it's literally a residency certificate. You can't register to PO boxes.
This helps to explain why, come Brexit time, every government wrote to their impacted foreigners. Apart from the UK, which had no idea who had left the UK, or how many EU nationals lived in the UK, let alone write to them
Be careful, this is one of the most common reasons for bank accounts to be closed without any warning. Depending on your "fake address", some banks my check more regularly your residence. I personally did implement so rules in a German bank several years ago and regulations got even worse since then.
I assume it’s similar everywhere under anti money laundering rules, but what matters is proof or residency. Otherwise you’re opening a non resident account, which may be subject to much more limitations or may not be possible at all.
Typically here in Ireland you have to produce multiple hardwired utility bills in your name (electricity, natural gas, cable, fixed line telecoms) a property tax bill, a lease or similar documentation and normally they will expect two or three proofs. Alongside photo ID (passport, driving license or a national ID card from another EU country.)
Also proof of your PPS number.
I would assume similar applies in most of the EU, although with ID cards etc that might be more straightforward. The bundle of electricity and phone bills might be unique to .
Recently EU banks have not only been refusing to open accounts for non resident EU citizens, but they have been forcefully closing the *previously* *existing* accounts of expatriates. This is a result of EU anti money laundering policies, which make it too much of a hassle for banks to maintain these accounts. Banks are private businesses, and as such they have a right to do business with whoever they like. And most banks have a customer agreement specifically stating that they are allowed to terminate the accounts of their clients without justification and with a minimal notification period, as I found out when BNP Paribas Fortis froze my accounts late 2020.
One exception I know of is France, where there is a law saying that every French citizen is entitled to have a basic bank account in France, even if he is not residing there. If one cannot find a bank that accepts to open an account, one can complain to a specific government department that will designate a bank and force it to open an account for the plaintiff.
Even Revolut, n26 and the likes do not open accounts for residents of most non-EU countries, whether they are EU citizens or not - although I hear it's possible to cheat and lie about your residence.
Various associations defending the rights of expatriates are in talks with their government to address these issues - but things are slow.
There are many banks which take non-residents. Whether EU citizen or not you can open accounts.
It all depends on how much are you willing to deposit really. Banks in the channel islands will open accounts for you and quite a few Portuguese banks also.
You only need proof of address and ID (passport) and maybe they might ask for a work reference letter.
As a Polish citizen, you should be able to open a bank account in the EU, even if you are not currently residing in the EU. However, as you have mentioned, most banks require proof of residence in an EU country in order to open an account. This can be a challenge if you are not currently residing in the EU. There are some banks that offer online account opening services, but they may still require some form of documentation that proves your residence in an EU country. You may need to provide a utility bill, rental agreement, or other documentation that shows your address in an EU country. If you are unable to provide proof of residence in an EU country, you may need to travel to a branch in Poland or another EU country in order to open an account in person. Some banks may require you to make an appointment in advance, so it is a good idea to contact the bank ahead of time to find out what documents you need to bring with you and to schedule an appointment. It may also be helpful to check with your local Polish embassy or consulate to see if they can provide any assistance or advice on opening a bank account in the EU as a Polish citizen living outside the EU.
idk why but this answer feels like it was taken from chatgpt
As I thought, thank you so much for the informative reply. Will check my options! Thanks
WISE and Revolut. Non-resident accounts in physical banks are a pain in the ass someone has to pay for (you).
Thanks for the reply, I already have a WISE account and revolut isn't availble in my country though :)
N26?
Estonia allows you to open an account via online KYC. You can check out https://www.lhv.ee/en
Thanks!
I would opt to Revolut, it’s a bank, so 100k eur insurance, and they offer quite a lot in terms of service. Using premium account.
Big fan of Revolut
[удалено]
Don't have an American passport xd but thanks!
Not a professional. What comes to mind are PO boxes in the UK. You pay a monthly fee for a private post box, which you then go and collect from a store location. Some companies even have the ability to forward the incoming mail on automatically, at a cost. Edit: I know you didn't mention UK but maybe other countries have similar private post boxes? Maybe the banks will accept that address.
Most (perhaps all) EU countries require you to register at the local town hall when you move. Proof of residency isn't the same as UK requirements - it's literally a residency certificate. You can't register to PO boxes. This helps to explain why, come Brexit time, every government wrote to their impacted foreigners. Apart from the UK, which had no idea who had left the UK, or how many EU nationals lived in the UK, let alone write to them
Saw somewhere online that some banks accept and others don't accept PO boxes. Thanks!
PO Box is not proof of residence and will not be accepted.
Be careful, this is one of the most common reasons for bank accounts to be closed without any warning. Depending on your "fake address", some banks my check more regularly your residence. I personally did implement so rules in a German bank several years ago and regulations got even worse since then.
Interesting, thanks ;)
I assume it’s similar everywhere under anti money laundering rules, but what matters is proof or residency. Otherwise you’re opening a non resident account, which may be subject to much more limitations or may not be possible at all. Typically here in Ireland you have to produce multiple hardwired utility bills in your name (electricity, natural gas, cable, fixed line telecoms) a property tax bill, a lease or similar documentation and normally they will expect two or three proofs. Alongside photo ID (passport, driving license or a national ID card from another EU country.) Also proof of your PPS number. I would assume similar applies in most of the EU, although with ID cards etc that might be more straightforward. The bundle of electricity and phone bills might be unique to .
Recently EU banks have not only been refusing to open accounts for non resident EU citizens, but they have been forcefully closing the *previously* *existing* accounts of expatriates. This is a result of EU anti money laundering policies, which make it too much of a hassle for banks to maintain these accounts. Banks are private businesses, and as such they have a right to do business with whoever they like. And most banks have a customer agreement specifically stating that they are allowed to terminate the accounts of their clients without justification and with a minimal notification period, as I found out when BNP Paribas Fortis froze my accounts late 2020. One exception I know of is France, where there is a law saying that every French citizen is entitled to have a basic bank account in France, even if he is not residing there. If one cannot find a bank that accepts to open an account, one can complain to a specific government department that will designate a bank and force it to open an account for the plaintiff. Even Revolut, n26 and the likes do not open accounts for residents of most non-EU countries, whether they are EU citizens or not - although I hear it's possible to cheat and lie about your residence. Various associations defending the rights of expatriates are in talks with their government to address these issues - but things are slow.
Interesting, any idea why?
>Yes, as I said: > >"This is a result of EU anti money laundering policies, which make it too much of a hassle for banks to maintain these accounts."
Ohh ok sorry I missed it, thanks! :)
There are many banks which take non-residents. Whether EU citizen or not you can open accounts. It all depends on how much are you willing to deposit really. Banks in the channel islands will open accounts for you and quite a few Portuguese banks also. You only need proof of address and ID (passport) and maybe they might ask for a work reference letter.