Online Identity Verification at a Polish Bank as a Foreigner (2026)
Updated: 2026-10-01 · ~2 min read
How video verification / selfie with document works
- You use the bank's official app or website, never a third-party link someone sent you.
- The flow: pick "new account" → upload/scan your identity document (passport, EU ID) → take a live selfie or short video with the bank's camera module → sometimes answer KYC questions (address, source of income).
- For some EU citizens, qualified eID / eID from another EU country can replace the selfie step in selected offers.
What to prepare so it passes first time
- Good light, no filters, document fully visible and not expired; scan all data pages of a multi-page passport.
- Name spelling must match the document exactly (transliterations trip up automated checks).
- A Polish phone number is required by most offers (some accept home-country numbers — check the form).
- A Polish address; if you only have a temporary one, be ready to upload proof (rental agreement, hotel/hostel booking in some cases).
How long it takes — and what can fail
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Account active within 24–72 h, card by courier | normal happy path | nothing — update your details later if documents change |
| Verification rejected immediately | photo quality, blurred document, expired document, name mismatch | retry with better photos; if it fails twice, go to a branch |
| "Your account is under review" | bank's risk check (foreign documents, address without proof) | answer the bank's request: upload source-of-income/employment proof; days to 1–2 weeks is typical |
| Account opened but features blocked (e.g. BLIK, some transfers) | offer limitation or missing PESEL in that system | ask the bank what exactly is blocked and how to lift it |
Security: the part most people skip
- Only official channels: the bank's app from the store or the bank's domain. Phishing pages that ask for your passport photo are common; never send ID documents via e-mail/WhatsApp to "bank staff".
- If you receive a link by SMS/e-mail "verify your account now" — do not click; log in through your app and check notifications there.
- Your IBAN + card number should never be sent to anyone who is not the bank or a verified payment recipient.
Affiliate slot: none planned for this article (security/informational).
Sources
- Bank onboarding pages — video verification requirements (mBank, ING, PKO BP); as of October 1, 2026.
- NBP (National Bank of Poland) consumer guidance on online banking security; as of October 1, 2026.