In 2025, the Polish banking sector introduces changes that can hit hundreds of thousands of Poles' wallets. It's a fresh one. no account activity feewhich is becoming an increasingly common practice. If you have an account you do not usage regularly, the bank may start charging a monthly commission. Just adequate three months inactivityto automatically classify your account as “sleepy” and start charging. It is simply a real threat not only to forgotten accounts from years ago, but besides to savings or currency accounts where we execute operations little often. Experts are alerting that unconscious customers may lose money without even knowing it until their account balance falls to zero.
What is the inactivity fee, and who is it?
Inactivity fee, frequently referred to as an inactive or “sleepy” account charge, is simply a commission charged by the bank erstwhile no operation has been recorded on the customer’s account for a specified period. In 2025 the standard becomes a period only three months. This is simply a key change, as so far specified fees have mainly been related to accounts not utilized for 12 months or longer. The fresh regulations cover a much wider group of customers.
Who precisely is the problem? Contrary to appearances, it's not just about old student accounts or bills opened years ago for a one-time promotion. The following are besides at risk:
- Saving accountsthe funds were paid a long time ago and no transfers have been made since.
- Currency accounts, utilized occasionally during abroad trips.
- Technical accounts, linked to mortgage loans on which there are no regular operations but the automatic payment of the instalment.
- Additional accounts in the same bank that serves as a ‘carbon’ or to separate budgets.
What do banks consider to be “activity”? This is usually a customer-initiated surgery, specified as outgoing transfer, card payment, ATM withdrawal and even logging in to mobile application. The absence of any of these activities for 90 days may trigger commissioning.
Why do banks introduce specified charges in 2025?
Decision on the massive introduction or tightening of conditions for fees for inactive accounts It's not random. The banks explain the expanding operating costs and regulatory requirements. Maintaining each account, even with a zero balance, generates costs related to IT infrastructure, strategy safety and reporting obligations. The Financial Supervision Commission (KNF) has been pushing financial institutions for years to organize and manage “dead souls” databases dormant accounts.
From a bank perspective, an inactive account is simply a clean cost. The introduction of the fee has 2 objectives. Firstly, this is simply a form of compensation for maintaining the account. Secondly, it is expected to be an incentive for the client to either start actively utilizing the account or close it. In a time of rising inflation and force on financial performance, banks search all possible way to optimise costs and increase revenue. Unfortunately, this frequently happens at the expense of unconscious or little active customers who may be amazed by fresh positions in the monthly lift.
What kind of transactions defend you from charge? Simple ways to keep activity
The good news is that avoiding a fresh charge is highly simple and does not require much effort. It is adequate to execute one, any operation erstwhile a 4th to “refresh” the position of your account. This is simply a key cognition that will save you from respective to even a twelve PLN per month. Remember that the banking strategy is automated – it is the fact that the operation is carried out, not the amount.
Here's the list the simplest actions to guarantee your account active status:
- Make a transfer to 1 PLN: Transfer a symbolic gold card to your another account or household account. It's the simplest and fastest way.
- Pay by card for tiny purchases: Buy a bottle of water or a public transport ticket by paying with a debit card linked to a “sleepy” account.
- Login to the mobile app: Many banks consider logging into electronic or mobile banking as a form of activity. Check your bank policy.
- Pay or deposit cash: usage your ATM or deposit box to make a tiny amount of operations.
- Set fixed order: You can set a cyclical transfer for the amount of PLN 1 that will be performed automatically all month. It's a solution for the forgetful.
It is worth setting a reminder in the calendar all 2 months to execute 1 of the above actions on each account held.
Check your contracts. What are your rights as a client?
The bank cannot introduce a fresh fee overnight and without your knowledge. Under banking law, any change in Toll and commission tables (TOiP) it must be notified to the client in good time, usually at least 2 months. This information is most frequently sent in the interior message in the electronic banking system, by email or by mail.
You have all right not to agree to fresh terms. If you receive information about the introduction inactivity feesYou can close your account free of charge before it enters into force. This is an crucial consumer law to remember. If the bank has charged a fee without informing you about the change of policy, you have grounds for complaint. In specified situations, it is worth relying on your rights and demanding the refund of wrongly charged funds. In utmost cases, the Financial Ombudsman and the Office for Competition and Consumer Protection (OCT) are assisted.
In summary, new fees for inactive accounts they become a fact in 2025. The key to avoiding unnecessary costs is awareness and regular monitoring of all of your bank accounts. Just 1 simple transaction erstwhile all 3 months to keep your money safe. Don't let the bank make money on your insecurity – take control of your finances today.
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Is your bank account inactive? The banks will charge a fresh fee after 3 months!
