Data checked 23 September 2026
Sign-up bonuses are one of the most visible ways banks in Poland try to attract new personal and business current account customers. The headline figure is often eye-catching, but the amount someone actually receives depends on meeting a specific set of conditions within a set time frame. This guide explains how these bonuses are usually structured, what tends to trip people up, and what is worth checking before opening an account for the sake of a promotion.
What a sign-up bonus is (and is not)
A sign-up bonus is a one-off payment a bank offers to someone who opens a new account and then uses it in a way the bank defines, such as paying with a card or receiving salary transfers. It is a marketing cost for the bank, not interest, not cashback on spending, and not a guaranteed gift simply for filling in an application form.
It differs from ongoing loyalty or cashback schemes, which reward continued use of a card or account over time rather than a single qualifying period after opening. A sign-up bonus is also separate from any welcome gift a bank might describe as unconditional, which is rare and usually applies to a very narrow set of circumstances stated in the offer’s terms.
Typical conditions
Most sign-up bonuses require the new customer to complete several actions within a defined period, often a few months after account opening. These conditions are designed to encourage genuine, active use of the account rather than reward someone for opening it and leaving it dormant.
The exact thresholds and deadlines vary by bank and by promotion, so they are not fixed figures that apply universally. They are set out in each provider’s promotional regulations, which is the only reliable place to confirm what is actually required.
- Making a minimum number or value of card payments within the qualifying period
- Receiving a certain number or value of incoming transfers, sometimes described as an external transfer or salary payment
- Logging into the mobile app or online banking a set number of times
- Giving marketing consents, such as agreeing to receive electronic communication or product offers
- Keeping the account open and active for a minimum period after the bonus is credited
"Up to" amounts
Many bonuses are advertised as being worth "up to" a certain sum, which usually means the total is made up of several smaller stages rather than a single lump payment. Completing only some of the required actions typically results in only part of the maximum amount being paid.
Current examples illustrate the range across the market. PKO BP’s Konto firmowe za 0 zł advertises a bonus of up to PLN 5,000, Alior Konto up to PLN 800, Erste’s Konto Erste Platinum up to PLN 1,500, Credit Agricole’s promotional account up to PLN 1,000, and Pekao’s Konto Biznes z Żubrem up to PLN 200. In each case, the maximum figure is a ceiling, not a guaranteed payout, and the structure behind it should be checked in the provider’s own terms.
Referral programmes vs sign-up bonuses
A sign-up bonus is offered directly by the bank to a new customer who meets its published conditions, regardless of how that person heard about the account. A referral programme instead rewards an existing customer for introducing a new one, and the new customer may or may not receive a separate reward themselves depending on the scheme.
The two can sometimes be combined, so a new customer might qualify for a standard sign-up bonus while the person who referred them receives an additional reward. Where this applies, the referral element and the sign-up element usually have separate conditions and separate payment dates, so it is worth reading both parts of the terms rather than assuming one covers the other.
Why bonuses get refused
Banks generally pay bonuses only after checking, sometimes automatically and sometimes manually, that every stated condition was met within the required window. Missing even one element, such as a marketing consent or a transfer threshold, can mean the bonus is not paid at all, or that only a partial amount is credited if the offer is staged.
A common reason for refusal is having held an account with the same bank, or the same group, within a defined period before applying, since most offers are restricted to genuinely new customers. Closing the account before the bonus is paid or before any minimum holding period ends can also cancel the entitlement, even if all other conditions were satisfied.
- Not giving a required marketing consent, or withdrawing it before the bonus is paid
- Falling short of the card payment or incoming transfer threshold
- Having had an account with the same bank or group in the recent past
- Closing the account early or reducing activity below the required minimum
- Missing the application or activity deadline stated in the promotion
How to check an offer before opening an account
The advertised headline figure and the full promotional regulations can differ in important ways, so reading the terms document published by the bank is the most reliable step before applying. This document usually sets out the exact qualifying actions, the deadlines, and how and when any bonus is paid.
It is also worth noting that some offers run for a limited time. Alior Konto’s current promotion is stated to end on 12 October 2026, and Credit Agricole’s promotional account offer is stated to end on 29 September 2026, so the qualifying period needs to fit within the promotion’s active dates. Confirming ongoing costs matters too, since accounts such as PKO BP’s Konto firmowe za 0 zł and Alior Konto both list a monthly fee of PLN 0 and PLN 0 respectively under stated conditions, which may depend on maintaining certain activity separate from the bonus itself.
- Read the promotional regulations, not just the summary on the offer page
- Note the start and end dates of the promotion and the qualifying period
- Check whether the bonus is a single payment or paid in stages
- Confirm whether marketing consents are required and can be withdrawn without losing the bonus
- Check ongoing account fees separately from the one-off bonus conditions
Questions
Is a sign-up bonus taxable in Poland?
Tax treatment of promotional bonuses depends on their value and how they are classified by the bank, and rules can differ for personal and business accounts. This is worth checking directly with the provider or a tax adviser rather than assuming a bonus is always exempt.
Can I get a sign-up bonus if I already had an account with the same bank?
Most offers are restricted to new customers and exclude anyone who has held an account with the same bank, or sometimes the same banking group, within a recent period. The exact restriction is set out in each promotion’s terms.
What happens if I only complete some of the conditions?
Where a bonus is structured as an "up to" amount made up of separate stages, completing only some conditions typically results in only the corresponding portion being paid, rather than the full advertised maximum.
This page describes products; it is not financial or investment advice. Check the provider’s current terms before opening an account.
