Offer terms and rates verified on 6 September 2026.
A term deposit will be better if you do not need your savings for a few months and want to know the interest rate in advance. A savings account works better when your money has to stay accessible, for example because you can find a property to buy at any moment and use it as a down payment.
In September 2026, selected promotional savings accounts in Poland offer up to 6.1% per year, but they require opening a personal current account and regular activity. Simple term deposits without a current account offer around 4.25 to 4.5%. The difference in interest rates looks significant, but with PLN 50,000 and a three-month period we usually talk about a few hundred zloty, not thousands.
Below I compare six selected offers that represent two different approaches: maximising the interest rate at the cost of additional conditions, and convenient saving without opening a current account. This is not a full ranking of every deposit product available on the market.
I checked the parameters on 6 September 2026. Banks can change or extend their promotions, so before depositing money open the current terms and conditions on the relevant bank’s website.
Term deposits and savings accounts, a quick comparison
| Offer | Interest rate | Period | Amount at this rate | Key condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Savings Account | 6.1%, then 5.1% | 90 days | 6.1% up to PLN 25k; 5.1% for the surplus up to PLN 200k | Current account plus salary transfer, or transfer plus activity |
| Alior Savings Account “na Start” | up to 6% | 3 months | up to PLN 50k | New account, consents and payments of at least PLN 500 per month |
| VeloBank Flexible Savings Account | 6%, then 4% | 92 days | 6% up to PLN 50k; 4% for the surplus up to PLN 400k | New funds, consents and five payments per month |
| Inbank Deposit “na Start” | 4.5% | 3 or 6 months | PLN 1k to 50k | First “na Start” deposit of a new customer |
| Toyota Bank Standard Deposit | 4.3% | 6 months | PLN 2k to 100k per deposit | No requirement to open a current account |
| Facto Deposit | 4.25% | 6 or 9 months | from PLN 5k; up to PLN 12M total | No requirement to open a current account |
My short verdict: for amounts up to PLN 50,000, the highest potential yield in this comparison comes from savings accounts, provided you can easily meet the promotional conditions. If simplicity matters more, choose a term deposit without an additional account. Do not lock money set aside for a mortgage down payment for a period longer than the realistic time you will spend looking for a property.
Term deposit vs savings account, what is the difference?
Term deposit
A term deposit has a fixed duration and interest rate. Once you make the deposit, the money stays there until the end of the agreement. Most often, closing the deposit early means losing all accrued interest.
Its biggest advantage is predictability: with a fixed interest rate the bank cannot lower the rate during the term of the deposit. The downside is limited access to your savings.
Savings account
With a savings account you can top up and withdraw money without closing the agreement. Interest is usually calculated daily and credited once a month. You need to check how many free transfers from the account you get each month.
The highest interest rate is usually promotional: it applies for a limited time, up to a set limit and provided you actively use your current account. When the promotion ends the rate can drop noticeably.
Why do deposit rates still exceed the NBP rate?
After the July meeting of the Monetary Policy Council (RPP), the National Bank of Poland’s (NBP) reference rate remained at 3.75%. The next rate-setting meeting will take place on 8 and 9 September 2026. Current values can be checked on the National Bank of Poland website.
The interest rate on a promotional account can be higher than the reference rate because the bank treats such an offer as a way to acquire a new, active customer. That is why an attractive rate comes with limits, marketing consents, salary transfer requirements or card and BLIK payments.
If you want to better understand the relationship between RPP decisions, deposit rates and the cost of credit, read also: WIBOR, WIRON and POLSTR, what is changing for borrowers.
Three term deposits without a current account
Inbank: Deposit “na Start”, 4.5%
Who it is for: a new customer who wants to deposit up to PLN 50,000 without opening a current account.
- interest rate: 4.5% per year,
- period: 3 or 6 months,
- amount: from PLN 1,000 to 50,000,
- availability: first “na Start” deposit of a new customer,
- setup: online, without a current account.
This is one of the simplest offers in the comparison. It does not require a salary transfer or card payments. Keep in mind that early closure means losing interest.
Inbank operates in Poland as a branch of an Estonian bank. Deposits are protected by the Estonian Tagatisfond up to the equivalent of EUR 100,000 per depositor. You will find details and the current rate on the Inbank “na Start” deposit page.
Toyota Bank: Standard Deposit, 4.3%
Who it is for: someone who wants to deposit a larger amount for six months and does not need an offer restricted to new customers only.
- interest rate for 6 months: 4.3% per year,
- amount per single deposit: from PLN 2,000 to 100,000,
- number of deposits: up to 10,
- interest rate: fixed,
- application: online.
The advantage is a high aggregate limit and no need to move your day-to-day banking. Deposits at Toyota Bank Polska are protected by the Bank Guarantee Fund (BFG) under the rules that apply to Polish banks.
You can check the current interest table and other available terms on the Toyota Bank Standard Deposit page.
Facto: Facto Deposit, 4.25%
Who it is for: someone who wants to lock in a rate for 6 or 9 months and does not need a current account.
- interest rate for 6 and 9 months: 4.25% per year,
- minimum amount: PLN 5,000,
- aggregate deposit limit: PLN 12 million,
- deposit account: no fees,
- service: online.
The Facto Deposit is run by the Polish branch of the Italian BFF Bank. Protection up to the equivalent of EUR 100,000 is provided by the Italian Fondo Interbancario di Tutela dei Depositi. A high deposit limit does not mean that the entire multi-million amount will be covered by the guarantee.
You will find the parameters and documents on the official Facto Deposit website.
Three savings accounts with a current account
Nest Bank: Nest Savings Account, up to 6.1%
Who it is for: a new customer who can maintain regular transfers or actively use their Nest current account for 90 days.
- 6.1% for the first PLN 25,000,
- 5.1% for the surplus above PLN 25,000 up to PLN 200,000,
- 2% for the surplus above PLN 200,000 up to PLN 400,000,
- period of increased interest: 90 days,
- condition: first Nest Savings Account and salary transfer of at least PLN 2,000, or a transfer of at least PLN 2,000 and 10 card or BLIK payments.
The highest rate applies only to the first PLN 25,000. For PLN 50,000 the effective rate on the whole amount will therefore be lower than 6.1%, because the second half of the funds earns 5.1%.
A different rate applies after 90 days, so it is worth noting the end date of the promotional period. Current terms are published by Nest Bank on the Savings Account page.
Alior Bank: Savings Account “na Start”, up to 6%
Who it is for: someone who has not held a current account at Alior Bank for three years and can join the promotion in time.
- promotional interest rate: 6% per year,
- limit: PLN 50,000,
- period: 3 months from opening the savings account,
- condition for the 6% rate: card or BLIK transactions of at least PLN 500 in total each month,
- without the required activity: 2% per year,
- deadline to join this edition: 7 September 2026.
The savings account must be opened in the Alior Mobile app. The required marketing consents also matter. Because the deadline for this edition is very close, before starting the process make sure the bank is still accepting applications or has launched another edition of the promotion.
Details are published by Alior Bank on the Savings Account “na Start” page.
VeloBank: Flexible Savings Account, up to 6%
Who it is for: someone who has new funds available and can make five payments per month.
- 6% for new funds up to PLN 50,000,
- 4% for the surplus above PLN 50,000 up to PLN 400,000,
- special offer period: 92 days,
- condition: at least five card or BLIK payments each month,
- without meeting the activity condition: 2% up to PLN 400,000,
- deadline to deposit new funds in this edition: 16 September 2026.
The definition of “new funds” is key. The bank compares your balance against a reference date specified in the terms and conditions, so redepositing money withdrawn shortly beforehand will not always qualify for the promotion.
You will find the current rules on the VeloBank Flexible Savings Account page.
How much can you earn after the Belka tax?
Banks quote interest rates on an annual gross basis. Interest earned is subject to a 19% capital gains tax, commonly known as the Belka tax.
For comparability I assumed a simplified model: 90 days for three months, 180 days for six months and 270 days for nine months. The formula is:
principal x annual interest rate x number of days / 365
| Offer and amount | Assumed period | Estimated interest gross | Estimated interest net |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Bank: PLN 25,000 at 6.1% | 90 days | approx. PLN 376 | approx. PLN 305 |
| Nest Bank: PLN 50,000 at 6.1% and 5.1% | 90 days | approx. PLN 690 | approx. PLN 559 |
| Alior or VeloBank: PLN 50,000 at 6% | 90 days | approx. PLN 740 | approx. PLN 599 |
| Inbank: PLN 50,000 at 4.5% | 180 days | approx. PLN 1,110 | approx. PLN 899 |
| Toyota Bank: PLN 100,000 at 4.3% | 180 days | approx. PLN 2,121 | approx. PLN 1,718 |
| Facto: PLN 100,000 at 4.25% | 270 days | approx. PLN 3,144 | approx. PLN 2,547 |
The calculations are indicative. The actual number of days, capitalisation method and rounding rules follow from the agreement and the bank’s terms and conditions. The table assumes that all conditions for the increased rate are met and does not include any account or card fees.
The conclusion is simple: an account at 6% gives you more than a deposit at 4.5%, but the advantage on PLN 50,000 over three months is limited. It is worth weighing this against the time needed to set up the account, complete the required transactions and later transfer the money.
Where to keep money for a mortgage down payment?
If your savings are meant to soon finance the purchase of an apartment, the interest rate should not be the only criterion. Equally important is liquidity, meaning the ability to withdraw money on the date required by the preliminary agreement or the notarial deed.
When the purchase date is uncertain, a savings account or a short term deposit will usually be a safer choice. A nine-month deposit may yield a higher total return, but if you find a property after four months, closing the deposit early may cost you all the accrued interest.
When transferring savings between banks, keep the transaction history and confirmations. The bank reviewing your mortgage application may ask for documents confirming that you hold the down payment or the source of the funds. Also avoid making large cash deposits without documentation.
Read more about how much you actually need to save in this guide: mortgage down payment in 2026, how much do you really need.
Does a new account lower your creditworthiness?
Simply opening a regular current account, a savings account or a term deposit does not create a credit obligation in BIK, Poland’s credit bureau. The situation is different when together with the account you take a credit card or a revolving credit limit.
Even an unused limit can be taken into account by the bank when calculating your creditworthiness. If you are planning a mortgage, do not accept an additional credit product just because it appears during the account opening process. I explain more in the article: how BIK works and what the bank sees. The impact of limits and cards is also explained by the Credit Information Bureau.
Term deposit or early loan repayment?
If you already have a mortgage with an interest rate noticeably higher than a term deposit, an early repayment may give you a greater mathematical benefit than keeping the entire surplus on a deposit. A 4.5% gross rate corresponds to about 3.65% after tax, while reducing the loan principal cuts interest at the mortgage rate.
You should not, however, use your entire emergency fund for early repayment. You also need to check the early repayment fee, the terms of the agreement and the alternative of switching banks. This guide will help you understand when mortgage refinancing can lower your instalment.
The most important pitfalls in savings promotions
The rate after the promotion ends
Check not only the promotional 6% but also the rate from day 91 or 93. Set a reminder a few days before the promotion ends.
Definition of a “new customer” and “new funds”
A “new customer” may mean someone who has not held a specific product for several years. “New funds” are calculated relative to the balance on a reference date. Both definitions are set out in the terms and conditions of the specific edition.
Activity conditions
Five payments and payments totalling PLN 500 are two different conditions. Also check which transactions the bank excludes: refunds, ATM withdrawals or top-ups to an electronic wallet may not qualify.
Account and card fees
Promotional interest can be reduced by a monthly fee for the card or the account. Before opening the product read the fee and commission schedule, not just the promotional page.
Deposit guarantee limit
The standard protection limit is the equivalent of EUR 100,000 per depositor per institution and covers principal and accrued interest together. For larger amounts, split your money between banks. The rules of the Polish system are set out by the Bank Guarantee Fund.
Frequently asked questions
Is a term deposit safer than a savings account?
Not in terms of deposit guarantees. Money held on both a term deposit and a savings account is protected under the relevant guarantee scheme up to the applicable limit. They differ mainly in the accessibility of funds and how interest is calculated.
Can I have savings accounts at several banks?
Yes. Promotional interest rate limits apply separately at each bank. You do need to keep track of terms, deadlines and any fees for each account.
Does a withdrawal from a savings account mean losing interest?
Usually not. Interest is calculated for the days on which the money was on the account. Check the transfer cost though, because some banks only offer one free withdrawal from a savings account per month.
When is a term deposit better?
When you know your time horizon, will not need the money before the end date and want a fixed interest rate without monthly activity conditions.
What should I choose for the mortgage down payment?
If the purchase can happen at any time, access to money matters most. A savings account or a short term deposit will usually be more practical than locking the entire amount for 9 to 12 months.
Summary: what to choose in September 2026?
- Up to PLN 25,000: Nest Bank offers the highest rate in this comparison, provided you meet the activity conditions.
- Up to PLN 50,000: Alior or VeloBank can produce a higher yield than a simple term deposit, but require a current account and transactions.
- Without an additional account: Inbank, Toyota Bank and Facto offer simpler terms at the cost of a lower interest rate.
- For the mortgage down payment: choose a product from which you can withdraw money on the required date without losing interest.
- Above the equivalent of EUR 100,000: split your savings between institutions covered by separate guarantee limits.
The highest interest rate does not always mean the best choice. The offer has to match the amount, the term and the purpose of your savings.
If you are preparing to buy a property and want to decide how much of your funds should stay accessible and how much can be locked for longer, book a free consultation. We will look at your purchase timeline, the size of the down payment and your planned financing.
Jakub Zdebski
Financial Expert at Expert Financial, cooperating with Notus Finanse S.A. He helps clients from Krakow and across Poland choose mortgage, business and consolidation loans.
This material is educational in nature and does not constitute individual financial advice or a guarantee that the offers described are available. Interest rates are quoted on an annual basis. Before making a decision, check the current terms and conditions, the interest rate table and the fee schedule applicable on the day you submit your application.