Banks are massively lowering their limits. MOST: Your money can be blocked!

Money in the account? They are not always as easy accessible as they may seem. Since May 2025, PKO BP, the largest Polish bank, has drastically lowered the default regular transfer limit to just PLN 10 000. This is the beginning of a revolution that affects millions of Poles. another banks follow the same path, and free access to their own resources becomes increasingly illusory. Officially, financial institutions explain this with concern for client safety and the fight against cybercrime. In practice, however, for many of us, this means a abrupt simplification in access to our own savings, frequently without prior warning. Are you ready for the bank to block your access to your own resources?

Why do banks “protect” you from their own money?

The safety argument is the main 1 utilized by banks by imposing restrictive limits. The problem of cybercrime is increasing rapidly. A SW investigation survey reveals that 42% of Poles over 40 has faced an effort at financial fraud, and unfortunately 7% They were the victims of an effective attack. The scale of losses is shocking – only in the first half of 2024 in Poland there were frauds related to payment cards and transfers for the full amount exceeding PLN 381 million. CSIRT KNF squad in 2024 identified 175 domains created by fraudsters to mimic bank authoritative sites. These figures show that the threat is real, and the global cost of cybercrime is to be achieved $10.5 trillion a year by the end of 2025. However, banks frequently focus on solutions that hit comfort and freedom to have their own money.

Specific limits already in force. There are millions waiting to be surprised.

Changes in PKO BP are just the tip of the iceberg. Since May 2025, if your current limits on iPKO were higher, the bank automatically lowered them to PLN 10,000 a day. Cash withdrawals in branches of PKO BP are limited to PLN 5 000-10 000 a dayand larger amounts require 2 days' notice. Anna from Warsaw found out about it, trying to transfer PLN 15,000 for renovation. “Suddenly it turned out that I had to go to the bank and explain why I needed my own money,” she said. another banks do not fall behind. In Bank Millennium, SMS authorized customers can transfer maximum PLN 50,000 a day, with mobile authorisation – PLN 200,000. Santander in mobile app allows transfers only to PLN 10,000. Even withdrawals from ATMs are becoming more restrictive – in Santander you will only pay out erstwhile PLN 1,000, at the regular limit PLN 15,000. mBank allows you to pay to PLN 20,000 a daybut not more than erstwhile PLN 10,000. What was standard a year ago present requires additional formalities and frequently visits to the branch.

Fees are increasing, access is decreasing. Is that a fresh normal?

Limiting access to your own money is 1 thing, but banks go 1 step further, expanding your fees. Since August 2024, PKO BP has raised fees for cash withdrawals – customers pay 10 PLN for payment from their own ATMs and PLN 12 from another networks. It's a paradox: first banks restrict your access and then they make you pay for utilizing your own resources. Mrs. Krystyna from Krakow, planning to pay PLN 8,000 At her granddaughter's wedding, she heard in the ward that she could only retreat PLN 5 000. “I had to come back the next day. This is my money, but I feel like a beggar,” says the pensioner. This trend of tightening the screw, both within limits and fees, makes financial management increasingly complicated and costly. Is this a fresh normality in which banks take on more and more control of our portfolios?

What can you do now? applicable guide for Poles.

In the face of these changes, it is crucial that you act proactively and be aware of the fresh realities.

• Check your current limits in a mobile application or online banking. Many discover changes only erstwhile an urgent transfer is not made.
• Prepare for additional bureaucracy. Larger transactions, both transfers and cash withdrawals, may require prior contact with the bank, branch visits or additional authorizations, frequently through the hotline.
• Consider keeping accounts in respective institutions. Although all banks are moving towards greater restrictions, differences in limits inactive exist. For example, at ING Bank Śląski you can transfer to PLN 200,000 a daywhich makes a crucial difference. Having respective accounts can give you more flexibility in managing larger amounts, although in the long word this comfort may decrease.

It is besides worth remembering that this is only the beginning. From 2027 throughout the European Union fresh cash payment limits - transactions above EUR 3 000 They'll request an identity check. This shows that the trend of limiting access to cash and full control of transactions is global and inevitable. Be aware of these changes so they don't surprise you at the least appropriate time.

The era of unlimited access to its own money is slow coming to an end. Banks, under the pretex of the fight against cybercrime, introduce increasingly restrictive limits on transfers and withdrawals, at the same time raising fees. It is simply a real change that affects all Pole and requires us to be alert and proactive. Check your limits, prepare for additional formalities and be aware of global trends. Your finances, though in your account, may become far little accessible than you think.