Between 2019 and 2025, Marian Banaś, former head of Poland’s Supreme Audit Office (NIK), undertook 59 foreign trips costing over 3 million złoty.
Marian Banaś’s Tenure at NIK
Marian Banaś served as President of the Supreme Audit Office (NIK) from 2019 to 2025. During his tenure, the institution audited a total of 9,068 entities.
NIK stated in a September 13, 2025 summary that it “actively operated on the international arena, enjoying a reputation as an expert and solid partner, thereby building Poland’s prestige in the world.” The office participated in over 100 international parallel audits, becoming a leader in Europe in this area.
Banaś’s Foreign Delegations
According to “Rzeczpospolita,” Marian Banaś made 59 official foreign trips between 2019 and 2025, averaging once a month including vacation days. Each delegation included three to five employees.
The total cost of the delegations exceeded 3 million złoty, with an average cost of 50,000 złoty per trip.
Visits to Foreign Officials
During this period, the then-President of NIK visited the heads of audit bodies in Slovakia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, China, Israel, and Bangladesh. He also traveled to Rio de Janeiro, Mexico, Beijing, Malta, Norway, Albania, Kyrgyzstan, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Austria, Macedonia, Montenegro, Latvia, Lithuania, Italy, Morocco, and Belgium.
NIK’s Criticism of Pandemic Response
The Supreme Audit Office concluded that billions of złoty were wasted during the COVID-19 pandemic, as stated during a NIK conference on the topic.
Controversial Trips
A week-long trip to China in June 2025, at the invitation of the Auditor General of the National Audit Office (NOK), sparked controversy. The delegation included then-NIK Director General Jarosław Melnarowicz and Head of the Strategy Department Grzegorz Haber, in addition to Banaś.
Spouses and Sons on Official Trips
Journalists noted that the wives of the directors also traveled to China, covering their own expenses. “Rzeczpospolita” reported that NIK vehicles transported them from the airport. In December 2021, Banaś brought his son, who was then his social assistant, to Belarus during a period of hybrid warfare.
NIK’s Assessment of the State Budget
The state budget was a leading topic during NIK’s activities. Between 2020 and 2024, the office assessed that the law and the Council of Ministers’ report on its execution “did not reflect the full picture of activities.”
NIK stated that this assessment was a “precedent” in the office’s activities, as previous audits of the state budget had resulted in positive evaluations.
