Act Now: Why Your Bank Asks About Your Money

21 March 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

Banks in Poland require clients to complete a bank AML questionnaire. Learn why and what expats must do to avoid blocked accounts.

Received a bank AML questionnaire? Polish banks now send mandatory requests for updated customer data. Consequently, failure to respond can lead to blocked online access and, ultimately, closed accounts.

Table of Contents

Why the bank AML questionnaire matters

Banks must comply with Poland’s Anti-Money Laundering law of 2018. Moreover, Article 33 forces institutions to verify identity, income sources and account purpose. Therefore banks regularly ask clients to update this information. If transactions change, the institution flags the account for review.

However, banks do not act arbitrarily. They follow rules to avoid fines from the Financial Supervision Authority (KNF) and the General Inspector of Financial Information (GIIF). In addition, bank executives face personal liability for breaches. Consequently, banks escalate non-responses rather than ignore them.

What happens after you ignore the request

First, banks often block electronic banking access. You can still use your card at ATMs and visit branches, but you cannot log in online. Moreover, banks may close the account if you still ignore their request. As a result, they move funds to a technical account. Then you must visit a branch in person to reclaim money.

However, the process does not always end there. If banks suspect money laundering, they can freeze accounts without warning. In addition, law sometimes bars them from telling customers the reason. Therefore banks must notify GIIF immediately and can pause transactions for up to 24 hours. If prosecutors intervene, the hold may last longer.

What banks ask and why you should care

Typical AML forms ask about income sources such as employment, self-employment, rental income, pensions and investment returns. Moreover, they ask monthly inflows and whether you plan crypto transactions. They also include a question about PEP status. PEP means politically exposed person. In Poland, PESEL denotes a national ID number, ZUS is the social security office and NFZ is the national health fund.

Consequently, banks compare declared answers with transaction history. If a salaried client suddenly receives large transfers, the system flags the change. Therefore you must keep sales contracts, donation deeds, rental agreements or invoices. In addition, business owners must confirm beneficial ownership in the Central Register of Beneficial Owners.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: If you live in Poland as an expat, expect frequent checks. Always verify that forms come from your bank’s official app or website. Keep documents for large inflows, including sale contracts and invoices. Note that PESEL means national ID number, ZUS is social security, and NFZ runs public healthcare. If you run a business, only the legal representative can fill some forms. Finally, never give sensitive data over a phone call because scammers often impersonate banks.

Business clients face stricter rules. PKO BP and other banks require the legal representative to appear in person. Moreover, banks set deadlines for compliance. For example, PKO BP gave firms until 31 March 2026 to update details. Therefore failing to act risks business interruption.

Looking ahead, the EU created the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA). Consequently, rules will tighten across the bloc. In addition, new standards will standardize questionnaires from July 2026. Therefore expect more frequent and deeper checks soon.

Finally, the quickest way to restore access remains simple. Respond to the bank AML questionnaire through the official channel. Moreover, keep records and avoid phone disclosures. If problems persist, you can lodge a complaint with the Financial Ombudsman (Rzecznik Finansowy) or contact KNF, though the bank likely acted under legal duty.

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