Global guide

Business banking in Eastern Europe

Snapshot

Eastern Europe is usually taken to mean the European Union member states of central and eastern Europe, often with the Baltic states. Some use the euro and others keep their own currency. Companies registered there can choose between strong local banks and pan European providers such as Revolut Business, Wise Business and Qonto. Banks expect local registration, clear ownership, and evidence of genuine activity. As of 2 June 2026.

Countries often included
Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia and the Baltic states. As of 2 June 2026.
Currencies
Euro in several, with Bulgaria joining on 1 January 2026; zloty, koruna, forint and leu elsewhere.
Common requirement
Local company registration and identification of beneficial owners.
Watch out for
Rules vary by country and non residents face stricter checks.
Fees and features as of 2 June 2026Last reviewed 2 June 2026

General information, not financial, legal, or tax advice. Verify current terms and eligibility with the provider before applying.

As of 2 June 2026, Eastern Europe is commonly taken to include the European Union member states of central and eastern Europe, such as Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia and Slovenia, often alongside the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, though the definition varies. The region splits between euro users and countries that keep their own currency. Companies registered in these countries can bank with strong local institutions or with pan European providers such as Revolut Business, Wise Business and Qonto. Account opening rests on local company registration, clear ownership, and evidence of genuine activity, and rules are not harmonised, so they differ from one country to the next.

The Eastern European banking landscape

These are European Union economies, so providers licensed in one member state can often serve businesses across the wider single market, and the same anti money laundering, know your customer, and payment services rules apply across the bloc. Each country keeps a set of established local banks, and a growing layer of digital providers operates across borders. As of 2 June 2026, a company registered in the region usually has both a local option and a pan European one, and the choice often comes down to currency, language, and the features the business needs.

Currencies across the region

The region is split on currency. Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania use the euro, and Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026, becoming the 21st member of the euro area. Poland keeps the zloty, Czechia the koruna, Hungary the forint and Romania the leu. As of 2 June 2026, a business that trades across the region may value a multi currency account so it can hold euros alongside a local currency, but confirm the current position for the specific country.

Local banks and pan European providers

Established local banks offer branch access, lending, and a full relationship, and are often the simplest route for a company with local activity. Pan European providers add fast online onboarding and multi currency features. As of 2 June 2026, Revolut Business, Wise Business and Qonto serve parts of the region under European Union or United Kingdom licences or as electronic money providers, though coverage and supported features differ by country. Some are electronic money providers that safeguard funds rather than holding a banking licence, so check how money is protected.

What you usually need to open an account

Requirements are broadly similar across the region, though each bank and country sets its own checks. As of 2 June 2026. Verify with the provider

  • Local company registration in the country of incorporation.
  • Identification for directors and beneficial owners and a clear ownership structure.
  • Evidence of genuine business activity and, for some banks, a local presence or address.
  • Extra checks for non resident owners or complex structures, which can lengthen the process.

Compare business account options in Eastern Europe

Both local banks and pan European providers serve businesses registered across the region, with coverage that varies by country. Browse the provider reviews to compare features, then confirm current eligibility and terms before applying. Shown as of 2 June 2026.

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Common questions

Which countries are covered by Eastern Europe?
The term varies, but it is commonly taken to include the European Union member states of central and eastern Europe such as Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia and Slovenia, often alongside the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Definitions differ, so check which country you mean. Information as of 2 June 2026.
Do Eastern European countries use the euro?
Some do and some keep their own currency. Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania use the euro, and Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026 as the 21st member of the euro area. Poland keeps the zloty, Czechia the koruna, Hungary the forint and Romania the leu. Confirm the current position for your country, as of 2 June 2026.
Can a non resident open a business account in Eastern Europe?
It is sometimes possible, but banks commonly expect local company registration, identification for owners and beneficial owners, and evidence of genuine activity, and non resident applications face stricter checks. Rules are not harmonised and vary by country. As of 2 June 2026, confirm requirements with the provider before applying.
Which providers serve business customers in Eastern Europe?
Established local banks serve each country, alongside pan European providers. As of 2 June 2026, Revolut Business, Wise Business and Qonto serve parts of the region under EU or UK licences or as electronic money providers, with multi currency features and online onboarding. Coverage and features vary by country, so check each provider before applying.

Fees, features, and eligibility change and vary by region. This page was last reviewed on 2 June 2026. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.

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