Ukrainians in Poland: is it possible to use cards from Polish and Ukrainian banks at the same time?

More and more Ukrainians who work and live in Poland use two bank cards at once — Polish and Ukrainian. This is convenient for transfers, paying for purchases and saving money, but it can raise questions from the tax authorities of both countries. It is important to understand the rules that apply to residents of Poland and Ukraine and when it is necessary to declare income. Find out what conditions allow you to legally use bank accounts in two countries at the same time

Legal advice for Ukrainians

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Many Ukrainians who work, study or reside in Poland under temporary protection status open local bank accounts. This is convenient for receiving salaries, paying rent, utilities and purchases. At the same time, most continue to use their Ukrainian cards and accounts, especially for transferring money to relatives or accumulating savings. At first glance, everything seems simple, but in practice, it is important to understand the tax and currency peculiarities in order to avoid fines and misunderstandings. With reference to Inpoland, we will tell you what you need to know about this.

Opening a bank account in Poland

Under Polish law, foreigners are free to open accounts in Polish banks. To do this, it is usually sufficient to provide a passport and confirm your address of residence — permanent (zameldowanie) or temporary. Many banks, including PKO BP, ING Bank Śląski, Santander, and mBank, also allow you to open an account online if you have a PESEL (identification number).

Polish law does not restrict the ownership of foreign accounts, but if a person becomes a tax resident of Poland (i.e. stays in the country for more than 183 days a year or has their centre of vital interests there), all income, including receipts to accounts in other countries, is subject to declaration.

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Ukrainian accounts abroad

According to the National Bank of Ukraine, Ukrainians can have foreign accounts and use cards abroad. However, if a person remains a tax resident of Ukraine, they are required to declare all income received from abroad and comply with currency legislation when making transfers between Ukrainian and foreign banks. This is especially relevant for those who transfer money from Poland to Ukrainian accounts or receive payments from foreign companies.

In certain cases, such transfers may be subject to currency control or require an explanation of the origin of the funds, especially when large sums are involved.

Exchange of tax information between countries

Poland and Ukraine participate in the international system of automatic exchange of tax information (CRS — Common Reporting Standard). This means that the tax authorities of both countries regularly exchange data on the accounts and income of residents. If a Ukrainian is a tax resident of Poland, information about their Ukrainian accounts may be automatically transferred to the Polish authorities and vice versa.

This increases the transparency of financial transactions and helps countries prevent tax evasion. Therefore, it is important to monitor your tax status and file tax returns in the relevant country in a timely manner.

Reminder! During the war, Poland continues to accept pets from Ukraine under simplified rules. Owners are allowed to cross the border even without a full set of documents or vaccinations, and all the necessary procedures can be completed on the spot. Find out what conditions apply in 2025 and how to enter the country with your pet correctly.

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