Money & Banks
Money & Banks
Official currency in Poland is Złoty (zł).
1 złoty is divided into 100 groszy (gr).
Currently there are 9 denominations of coins (1 gr, 2 gr, 5 gr, 10 gr, 20 gr, 50 gr, 1 zł, 2 zł, 5 zł) and 6 denominations of banknotes (10 zł, 20 zł, 50 zł, 100 zł, 200 zł and 500 zł).
Avoid rushing to exchange your currency into Polish Zloty (PLN) at the airport, as the rates may not be favourable. Instead, upon your arrival in Białystok, there are many currency exchange points, commonly referred to as "Kantor”, which offer better, competitive rates.
Having a bank account is essential when studying abroad. With your own account, you can handle various transactions independently, receive funds from your parents, avoid the inconvenience of dealing with coins, conveniently make payments anywhere, especially considering Poland's widespread card acceptance.
Opening a bank account as a foreigner can be a little bit challenging, as it often requires specific documents that may not be readily available during your first few weeks in Poland. Here are some typical documents required for opening a bank account:
Passport: a valid passport is generally a primary identification document that banks request to verify your identity and nationality.
Proof of Address in Poland: your rental agreement.
Student card or Letter of Enrollment.
Your Polish phone number.
It is important to research and communicate with different banks to understand their specific documentation requirements. Some banks may offer specific services tailored for international students or temporary residents, which may have different account opening procedures.
NOTE
If you are under 26 years old, you can enjoy the benefit of depositing and withdrawing money from any ATM without any fees added. However, if you are above 26 years old, the fee-free service is typically limited to using ATMs within the same bank you hold an account with.This page is edited by
Ngoc Hoang Anh Than
Class of 2028