The Polish Financial Supervision Authority said banks had already been informed of the need to recognize the temporary foreigner identity certificate as a document confirming identity when opening accounts. Some banks have already started opening accounts on the basis of this document, the press service of the United Transitional Cabinet said.
The issue was discussed at a working meeting between Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet Pavel Latushka, head of the Legal Commission of the Coordination Council Mikhail Kirylyuk, the leadership of the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF), and a representative of the General Inspector of Financial Information at the Polish Finance Ministry. A representative of the General Inspector of Financial Information of the Polish Finance Ministry also took part in the meeting.
The meeting focused on problems Belarusians face with banking services in Poland, including former political prisoners and people awaiting international protection, individuals in the process of legalizing their stay, and citizens with expired or missing passports. More than 40 specific cases collected through the NAU chatbot and the Belarusian Association of Political Prisoners Da Voli were presented to the Polish side.
Latushka informed the Polish side that Belarusians face refusals to open accounts, restrictions on the use of mobile banking and blocked funds. Polish regulators promised to begin internal procedures to coordinate possible solutions with the Office for Foreigners, the Interior Ministry and the National Tax Administration.
The Polish Financial Supervision Authority said that, following previous communication between NAU and KNF, Polish banks had already been informed of the need to recognize the temporary foreigner identity certificate (TZTC) as a valid identity document. Banks are currently completing the adaptation of their internal procedures, including software, for practical use in serving Belarusian citizens. According to available information, some banks have already begun opening accounts based on the TZTC.
NAU will also send appeals to the National Tax Administration and again to the European Commission regarding the interpretation of EU sanctions affecting the use of mobile banking by Belarusians in the European Union.
