Best High-Interest Savings Accounts in Poland 2026 — For Expats & Residents
Compare the best high-interest savings accounts in Poland for 2026. mBank, ING, PKO, Revolut and more — rates, conditions, and which one is best for expats.
11 min czytaniaBest High-Interest Savings Accounts in Poland 2026 — For Expats & Residents
Poland offers surprisingly competitive savings rates in 2026, with some accounts paying 6-8% on new deposits. Whether you're a Polish resident or an expat living in Warsaw, Kraków, or working remotely from Poland, maximizing your savings interest can add thousands of PLN to your pocket each year.
This guide compares the best high-interest savings accounts available in Poland, with special attention to English-language access and expat-friendly features.
Current Interest Rate Environment in Poland (March 2026)
The National Bank of Poland (NBP) reference rate stands at 5.75% as of March 2026. This means:
- Banks can offer competitive savings rates (4-8% on promotional offers)
- The 19% Belka tax applies to all interest earned (so 6% gross = ~4.86% net)
- Inflation is running at ~4.5%, so real returns on savings are positive but slim
- Rates are expected to gradually decrease in late 2026 as inflation stabilizes
Key formula: Net interest rate = Gross rate × (1 - 0.19) = Gross rate × 0.81
So a 6.00% gross rate gives you 4.86% net after Belka tax.
Top Savings Accounts Compared
1. mBank — eMax+ Savings Account
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Interest rate | 5.00% (standard) / 7.00% (promotional, 3 months, new money) |
| Currency | PLN |
| Min. deposit | PLN 0 |
| Max. for promo rate | PLN 100,000 |
| Access | Instant (transfers to mBank checking) |
| English app | ✅ Yes |
| Online opening for foreigners | ✅ Yes (with Polish PESEL) |
Why it's great: mBank has the best digital banking experience in Poland. The app is fully available in English, and you can open an account online with just a PESEL number and passport. The promotional rate of 7.00% (5.67% net) is among the highest available.
Watch out for: The 7% promo rate applies only for the first 3 months and on new money (funds not previously held at mBank). After the promo period, it drops to 5.00%.
2. ING Bank Śląski — Savings Account (Konto Oszczędnościowe)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Interest rate | 5.00% (standard) / 7.00% (promotional, 4 months, new clients) |
| Currency | PLN |
| Min. deposit | PLN 0 |
| Max. for promo rate | PLN 200,000 |
| Access | Instant |
| English app | ✅ Yes |
| Online opening for foreigners | ✅ Yes (with PESEL) |
Why it's great: ING offers a generous promotional rate with a higher cap (PLN 200,000 vs. PLN 100,000 at mBank). The app is clean, modern, and available in English. ING is also one of the most expat-friendly banks in Poland.
Watch out for: Promotional rate requires opening a checking account (Konto Direct) and setting up a regular income of at least PLN 1,000/month.
3. PKO Bank Polski — Savings Account (Konto Oszczędnościowe)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Interest rate | 4.50% (standard) / 6.50% (promotional, 3 months) |
| Currency | PLN |
| Min. deposit | PLN 0 |
| Max. for promo rate | PLN 150,000 |
| Access | Instant |
| English app | ⚠️ Partial (iPKO web has English, app is Polish-only) |
| Online opening for foreigners | ⚠️ Branch visit may be required |
Why it's great: PKO is Poland's largest bank — extremely safe and well-established. The promotional rate of 6.50% is competitive, and the PLN 150,000 cap is generous.
Watch out for: PKO's digital experience is less polished than mBank or ING. The mobile app doesn't have full English support, and foreigners may need to visit a branch to open an account.
4. Revolut — Savings Vaults
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Interest rate | 3.53% (PLN, Standard) / up to 4.08% (PLN, Ultra) |
| Currency | PLN, EUR, USD, GBP |
| Min. deposit | PLN 0 |
| Max. for promo rate | No limit |
| Access | Instant |
| English app | ✅ Yes (fully international) |
| Online opening for foreigners | ✅ Yes (EU/EEA passport or ID) |
Why it's great: Revolut is the easiest option for expats — fully international app, no Polish PESEL required, multi-currency support. You can save in PLN, EUR, or USD simultaneously. Perfect if you earn in EUR and want PLN savings too.
Watch out for: The savings rate (3.53% on Standard) is lower than Polish banks. Revolut savings are held in Lithuania, so they're covered by Lithuanian deposit guarantee (€100,000) rather than Polish BFG. For the best rate, you need the Ultra plan (PLN 299/month) — only worth it with very large balances.
5. Nest Bank — Nest Savings Account
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Interest rate | 5.00% (standard) / 8.00% (promotional, 2 months, new clients) |
| Currency | PLN |
| Min. deposit | PLN 0 |
| Max. for promo rate | PLN 50,000 |
| Access | Instant |
| English app | ❌ No |
| Online opening for foreigners | ⚠️ Possible online with PESEL |
Why it's great: The highest promotional rate on the market — 8.00% gross (6.48% net) for the first 2 months. Excellent for short-term cash parking.
Watch out for: The 8% rate only lasts 2 months and caps at PLN 50,000. After that, it drops to 5.00%. The app and website are Polish-only, making it challenging for non-Polish speakers.
6. Bank Millennium — Savings Account (Konto Oszczędnościowe Profit)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Interest rate | 4.75% (standard) / 7.00% (promotional, 3 months) |
| Currency | PLN |
| Min. deposit | PLN 0 |
| Max. for promo rate | PLN 100,000 |
| Access | Instant |
| English app | ✅ Yes |
| Online opening for foreigners | ✅ Yes (with PESEL) |
Why it's great: Good promo rate, English-language app, and expat-friendly account opening. Millennium has been actively courting international clients.
Comparison Table
| Bank | Standard Rate | Promo Rate | Promo Duration | Max for Promo | English App | Expat-Friendly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Bank | 5.00% | 8.00% | 2 months | 50k PLN | ❌ | ⚠️ |
| mBank | 5.00% | 7.00% | 3 months | 100k PLN | ✅ | ✅ |
| ING | 5.00% | 7.00% | 4 months | 200k PLN | ✅ | ✅ |
| Millennium | 4.75% | 7.00% | 3 months | 100k PLN | ✅ | ✅ |
| PKO BP | 4.50% | 6.50% | 3 months | 150k PLN | ⚠️ | ⚠️ |
| Revolut | 3.53% | — | — | No limit | ✅ | ✅ |
Strategy: Savings Account Hopping
Smart savers in Poland use a technique called "savings account hopping" — opening new promotional accounts every 2-4 months to always get the highest rate. Here's how:
The Rotation Strategy
- Month 1-3: Open mBank eMax+ → 7.00% on PLN 100,000
- Month 4-7: Open ING Savings → 7.00% on PLN 200,000
- Month 8-10: Open Millennium Profit → 7.00% on PLN 100,000
- Month 11-12: Open Nest Bank → 8.00% on PLN 50,000
Is It Worth the Hassle?
With PLN 100,000 at 7% (promo) vs. 5% (standard) for 3 months:
- Extra interest: PLN 100,000 × 2% × 3/12 = PLN 500 gross (PLN 405 net)
- Time investment: ~30 minutes to open a new account
That's PLN 810/hour for your time — definitely worth it.
Best Savings Account for Expats in Poland
If you're an expat, your priorities are different from Polish natives:
Tier 1: Best Overall for Expats
ING Bank Śląski — Best combination of rate (7% promo), English app, online account opening, and customer service in English. The PLN 200,000 promo cap is the most generous.
Tier 2: Easiest Access
Revolut — Open in minutes, no PESEL needed, multi-currency. Lower rate (3.53%) but unbeatable convenience. Best for new arrivals who don't have PESEL yet.
Tier 3: Best Rate
mBank — 7% promo rate, excellent English app, online opening. Requires PESEL.
Getting a PESEL as an Expat
To open a savings account at most Polish banks, you need a PESEL (Polish national ID number). EU/EEA citizens can get one at any city hall (Urząd Miasta) in about 30 minutes. Non-EU citizens can get a PESEL through their employer or tax registration.
Savings Accounts vs. Other Options
A savings account is great for your emergency fund and short-term goals, but for longer horizons, other options beat it:
| Option | Expected Return | Risk | Liquidity | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savings account | 4-7% gross | None | Instant | Emergency fund, 0-12 months |
| Bank deposit (lokata) | 5-6.5% gross | None | Locked (1-12 months) | Known short-term expenses |
| Treasury bonds (EDO) | CPI + 1% | None | 10 years (early exit penalty) | Long-term inflation protection |
| ETF (VWCE) | ~8-10% long-term | Medium-High | T+2 days | 5+ year horizon |
| IKE + ETF | ~8-10% (tax-free) | Medium-High | At retirement | Retirement savings |
Rule of thumb:
- Emergency fund (3-6 months expenses) → Savings account
- Goals in 1-3 years → Bank deposit or Treasury bonds (TOS/COI)
- Goals in 5+ years → ETF via IKE/IKZE
- Retirement → IKE + IKZE + PPK + ETFs
How Much Should You Keep in Savings?
Financial planners recommend keeping 3-6 months of expenses in an easily accessible savings account. In Poland:
| Monthly Expenses | Emergency Fund Target | Annual Interest (at 5%) |
|---|---|---|
| PLN 4,000 | PLN 12,000 - 24,000 | PLN 600 - 1,200 |
| PLN 6,000 | PLN 18,000 - 36,000 | PLN 900 - 1,800 |
| PLN 8,000 | PLN 24,000 - 48,000 | PLN 1,200 - 2,400 |
| PLN 10,000 | PLN 30,000 - 60,000 | PLN 1,500 - 3,000 |
Everything above your emergency fund should be invested for higher returns — a savings account at 5% barely beats inflation.
Deposit Guarantee (BFG Protection)
All savings accounts in Polish banks are protected by the BFG (Bankowy Fundusz Gwarancyjny) up to €100,000 per person per bank (approximately PLN 430,000). This covers:
- Savings accounts
- Checking accounts
- Bank deposits (lokaty)
- Accumulated interest
If you have more than €100,000, spread it across multiple banks for full protection.
Revolut note: Savings in Revolut are protected by Lithuanian deposit guarantee (also €100,000), not Polish BFG.
Tax on Savings Interest (Belka Tax)
All interest earned on savings accounts in Poland is subject to the 19% Belka tax (podatek od zysków kapitałowych). This tax is:
- Automatically deducted by the bank — you don't need to report it in your PIT
- Applied to all interest: savings accounts, deposits, bonds
- No annual exemption (unlike some other countries)
Net Rate Calculation
| Gross Rate | Belka Tax (19%) | Net Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 4.00% | 0.76% | 3.24% |
| 5.00% | 0.95% | 4.05% |
| 6.00% | 1.14% | 4.86% |
| 7.00% | 1.33% | 5.67% |
| 8.00% | 1.52% | 6.48% |
Track All Your Savings in One Place
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FAQ
What's the highest savings account rate in Poland right now?
As of March 2026, Nest Bank offers 8.00% promotional rate (2 months, new clients, up to PLN 50,000). For longer promotional periods, mBank and ING offer 7.00% for 3-4 months.
Can I open a savings account in Poland as a foreigner?
Yes. Most banks require a PESEL number (Polish ID). EU citizens can get PESEL at any city hall. Revolut doesn't require PESEL — just an EU/EEA passport or ID.
Is my money safe in Polish banks?
Yes. Polish banks are regulated by KNF (Polish Financial Supervision Authority) and deposits up to €100,000 per person per bank are guaranteed by BFG. Poland has one of the most stable banking systems in the EU.
Should I save in PLN or EUR?
If your expenses are in PLN, save in PLN to avoid currency risk. If you plan to leave Poland or have EUR-denominated expenses, consider keeping some savings in EUR (via Revolut or a multi-currency account). Currently, PLN savings rates are higher than EUR rates.
How do Polish savings rates compare to other EU countries?
Polish rates are among the highest in the EU (along with Romania, Hungary, and the Czech Republic). Western European savings rates (Germany, France, Netherlands) are typically 2-3.5% — significantly lower than Poland's 5-7%.
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