Data checked 25 September 2026
Savings accounts and short-term deposits in Poland are often advertised with a headline rate that looks much higher than what a saver actually earns over a year. This is usually because the advertised figure is a promotional rate that applies only under specific conditions, for a limited period, and up to a certain balance. Understanding how these mechanics work makes it easier to compare offers on a like-for-like basis rather than by headline rate alone.
What "up to" means
When a provider advertises a rate as "up to" a certain percentage, this usually signals that the rate is promotional rather than the ordinary rate paid on the account. A promotional rate is typically a temporary boost designed to attract new deposits, and it sits alongside a separate standard rate that applies once the promotion ends or its conditions are no longer met.
For example, BNP Paribas’ Lokata Dynamiczny Zysk deposit is listed with a rate of 8%, described as promotional (promotional), while Erste’s Lokata Biznes na Start carries a standard rate of 4.5% with no separate promotional layer. Comparing these two numbers directly would be misleading without knowing which type of rate each one represents.
New money and other conditions
Promotional rates are often tied to conditions beyond simply holding funds in the account. Common examples include requiring the deposit to be "new money" not previously held with the bank, opening a new account or product, maintaining a minimum number of card transactions, or keeping an account open for a set period.
These conditions vary by provider and can change over time, so it is worth checking the current terms and conditions document for any offer before assuming a promotional rate will apply automatically to an existing balance.
The balance limit
Most promotional rates only apply up to a stated balance, with any amount above that threshold earning a lower rate, sometimes the standard rate, sometimes another tier. This limit is one of the most important figures to check, because it determines how much of a saver’s total balance actually benefits from the higher percentage.
For instance, Pekao’s Konto Oszczędnościowe promotional rate of 5.7% covers balances up to PLN 100,000, mBank’s Rachunek moje cele (mKonto Intensive) promotional rate of 5.5% covers balances up to PLN 200,000, and Credit Agricole’s Rachunek Oszczędzam Plus promotional rate of 5.5% covers balances up to PLN 100,000. Erste’s Lokata Biznes na Start, by contrast, applies its standard rate of 4.5% up to PLN 200,000.
How long the rate lasts
Promotional rates are time-limited in two separate ways: the period during which the rate applies to a given deposit or account, and the date on which the wider promotional offer itself closes to new customers. These are different things and both are worth checking.
BNP Paribas’ Lokata Dynamiczny Zysk pays its promotional rate only in the period described as „w ostatnim 4. miesiącu trwania lokaty” of the deposit term. Pekao’s Konto Oszczędnościowe promotional rate applies for „92 dni”, mBank’s for „180 dni”, and Credit Agricole’s for „100 dni”. BNP Paribas’ current account rate linked to the NBP reference rate is reviewed over a period described as „1 month”, reflecting how variable standard rates can also move. Separately, some offers have a closing date for new applications: Pekao’s promotional rate offer runs until 22 October 2026, and Credit Agricole’s until 30 September 2026.
The standard rate afterwards
Once a promotional period ends, or once a balance exceeds the covered limit, the rate paid usually reverts to a standard rate, which is often considerably lower. Pekao’s Konto Oszczędnościowe reverts to a standard rate of 3%, and Credit Agricole’s Rachunek Oszczędzam Plus reverts to 0.1%, both well below their respective promotional figures.
Not every product works this way. BNP Paribas’ current account offer linked to the NBP reference rate is structured as a standard rate throughout, quoted at 5.5% with a stated standard figure of 5.5%, without a separate promotional tier. Reading the small print on rate type, rather than the headline number, is the only reliable way to tell which structure applies.
A quick checklist
Before comparing two savings or deposit offers, it can help to note down the same set of details for each one, since headline rates alone rarely tell the full story.
Deposits and savings accounts in Poland are typically covered by the [TO VERIFY: BFG guarantee limit], subject to the scheme’s own conditions, as referenced in providers’ terms such as Credit Agricole’s guarantee wording.
- Is the advertised rate promotional or standard, and for how long does it apply
- What balance limit does the promotional rate cover, and what happens above it
- Are there conditions such as new money, a new account, or card usage requirements
- What is the standard rate once the promotion ends
- Is there a closing date for new applications to the promotional offer
Questions
Why do some savings accounts show two different interest rates?
This usually reflects a promotional rate that applies temporarily or up to a certain balance, alongside a standard rate that applies afterwards or above that limit. Checking which rate type applies to a given balance and period avoids confusion.
Does the promotional rate apply to my whole balance?
Not necessarily. Many promotional rates only cover balances up to a stated limit, with amounts above that limit earning a different, often lower, rate. The provider’s terms will state the exact threshold.
What happens when a promotional period ends?
The account or deposit typically moves to its standard rate, which is usually lower than the promotional figure. Some offers also have a closing date after which new customers can no longer apply for the promotional terms at all.
This page describes products; it is not financial or investment advice. Check the provider’s current terms before opening an account.
