Banking in Poland is relatively easy for tourists with plastic. Just walk up to any ATM and get some zlotys, making sure they aren’t the old ones. Zlotys with dates earlier than 1995 are basically worthless.

Even though Poland has joined the European Union, it in not yet part of the European Monetary Union, and does not use the euro. The Polish would like to take the next step as soon as possible.

It is quite difficult to establish a bank account in Poland without residency, and this is even harder to obtain. So here is a list of the major banks in Poland worth dealing with – for credit card advances and transferring money.

Warsaw

American Express
ul. Krakowskie Przedmiescie 11
Phone: (02) 635-2002

Bank PKO Rotunda
ul. Marszalkowka 100/102
Phone: (02) 226 00 61

Bank Inicjatyw Gospodarczych
ul. Kopernika 36/40
Phone: (02) 657 5185

Bank PKO S.A
pl. Bankowy 2
Phone: (02) 637-1000

Krakow

American Express
al. Folcha 1
(in the Hotel Cracovia)
Phone: (012) 21 98 80 or (012) 22 46 32

American Express
Rynek 41
Phone: (012) 22 11 57

Bank PKO S.A.
Rynek 31
Phone: (012) 22 60 22