The Problems Of Belarusians In Banks Were Taken Up By The Ombudsman For Civil Rights Of Poland

He appealed to the Polish Financial Supervisory Commission.

The Polish Ombudsman for Civil Rights dealt with the problem with opening bank accounts. The problem was encountered by Belarusians, who applied for international protection in this country. Deputy Ombudsman Wojciech Brzezowski addressed the Polish Financial Supervision Commission, noted the publication MOST.

The appeal says banks refuse to open accounts for Belarusians awaiting a decision on an application for international protection. Asylum seekers submit a temporary alien identity card. But the banks say that this document is not enough. In addition, the banks ask Belarusians to provide documents confirming the profit.

The representative of the Ombudsman reminds that foreigners, who apply for international protection in Poland, have no other documents, except for a temporary identity card. According to Polish law, this document confirms the identity of the foreigner while his/her international protection case is pending. In addition, a person applying for international protection is not allowed to work for six months from the date of application and cannot provide proof of the source of income.

Many Belarusians during this period receive assistance from organizations supporting the repressed. However, the lack of a bank account makes it difficult to receive such assistance.

Brzezowski asks the chairman of the Financial Supervision Commission to express his position on this problem of Belarusians. He also asks to explain how foreigners with a temporary identity card can open a bank account in Poland.

Substantial problems with bank accounts began for Belarusians after the introduction of a new package of financial sanctions, adopted in October 2025. To open an account, banks began to require a residence permit. Some Belarusians, who had run out of residence permits, began to block their accounts.

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