PKO Bank in Poland is requesting its Belarusian clientele to furnish a residency permit by December 11, or their accounts and banking functions will be restricted.
This banking institution was known for setting up accounts for Belarusian individuals using just their passports, foregoing the need for residency documentation. The institution is now referencing the most recent 19th EU set of penalties.
It seems the positive readings of the 19th EU package of sanctions concerning the bank accounts held by Belarusian nationals have not materialized. Subsequent to neobanks like Paysera, Revolut, and Wise, the long-standing Polish financial institution PKO, which had a history of being more accommodating to foreign customers, has started sending out “letters of notification” to its Belarusian customers.
Starting on the evening of December 2nd, PKO customers began to experience mass communications from the bank, asking that they present either a residency permit or other official proof of lawful residence within Poland at a local branch no later than December 11. Failing to do so would result in the bank restricting their cards, BLIK accessibility, mobile and internet banking, and limiting service to in-person transactions only.
devby
Based on input from readers of Dzik Pic and discussions from relevant online communities, the financial institution's customers in various Polish regions—including Mazowieckie, Pomeranian, Silesian, among others—received such notifications. Here are some reports:
- “I created my account using my passport in Warsaw, but currently [I reside] in Lodz. My Belarusian passport remains valid until 2032, and I haven't shown the bank my residency card. My accounts are operational—both the business account (for JDG) and the personal one. I received an alert to produce my residence authorization before December 11. My spouse is unemployed, and she was sent the same notice simultaneously.”
- “The PKO account was established using a passport, Pomeranian Province. The cutoff for submitting the required paperwork is December 11, 2025.”
- “Silesia. Bielsko-Biała, present your residence card by 11.12.”
- “My spouse and I visited the bank around a fortnight ago—we were updating our passport details because the system had our previous passport information. Then yesterday, my spouse received an alert to also furnish his residence authorization. I haven’t yet gotten one. Our accounts were created using our passports.”
- “The deadline is December 11th. I went to the branch and they stated they would not recognize either official confirmation of application or entry stamps.” (This references the stamps providing verification that an application for a residence permit has been initiated and is under review — devby).
- “I was sent a message to supply documentation affirming my lawful stay in Poland on December 2, and I was required to bring these by December 11. The strange thing is, just two weeks back I was at the bank updating my passport information. They inquired whether I preferred to associate my account with my passport or my card, and I opted for my passport. Had I foreseen I would need to return, I would have opted to link it to the card directly. (Warsaw)”
- “PKO is notifying individuals until December 11th to authenticate a temporary residence card or an equivalent document. I submitted my temporary protection certificate earlier today—they inquired with a couple of unusual questions, routed the application somewhere, and around 20 minutes later they stated that everything was satisfactory. Warsaw.”
The bank mentions Council Regulations (EU) 2025/2023 and 2025/2041 dated October 23, 2025, which constitute the 19th sanctions arrangement, which, in part, puts limitations on financial offerings for Belarusian citizens, individuals living in Belarus, and registered Belarusian entities or organizations. Initially, it seemed that, concerning individuals, the restrictions would be limited to services concerning cryptoassets and electronic money, but the application appears to be more extensive.
Until recently, foreign individuals could establish a PKO account with only a visa (not solely a D-type, but also a C-type visa); a passport was considered adequate as identification proof. Numerous clients, even after securing a residence permit, neglected to provide it to the financial institution. Others established accounts without intentions of moving to Europe, while others had already left the EU area without formally closing their accounts. These categories are clearly exposed.
Furthermore, there is a substantial demographic of Belarusian citizens who have requested temporary residence permits and are pending resolution from government bodies (certain cases stretching years). How the bank will address these specific instances is still not fully clear.
We have sought a formal statement from PKO. We will share it as soon as we obtain it.
