Poland is a modern country where various forms of payment are available and the financial system is well developed. Below you will find a detailed overview of the most popular forms of payment, the use of credit and debit cards and information on currency exchange.

What are the most popular forms of payment?

Cash payments:

  • Polish zloty (PLN): The official currency in Poland is the zloty (PLN). Banknotes come in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 zloty, and coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5 groszy and 1, 2, 5 zloty.
  • ATMs: Poland has a wide network of ATMs available in cities, airports, shopping centres and many other places.

Payment cards:

  • Debit cards: The most popular for everyday transactions. Allow direct access to funds in a bank account.
  • Credit cards: Allow payments on credit, with the obligation to repay the debt by a certain date. They are also accepted in most shops and restaurants.

Mobile payments:

  • BLIK: Polish mobile payment system that allows payments to be made using a code generated in a bank app. BLIK is widely accepted in shops, restaurants and online.
  • Apple Pay and Google Pay: Mobile payment systems that allow transactions to be made using a smartphone or smartwatch. Widely accepted in Poland.

Bank transfers:

  • Online transfers: A popular payment method for bills, online purchases and other transactions. Polish online banking offers fast and secure transfers.
  • SEPA: Transfers within the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) are available for transactions in euros, which is beneficial for expats from Eurozone countries.

Use of credit and debit cards

Card issuers:

  • Card issuers: Banks in Poland, such as PKO BP, Santander, mBank, ING Bank Śląski and others, offer debit and credit cards.
  • Requirements: To obtain a credit card, a bank account and a positive credit history are required. Debit cards are usually issued when you open a personal account

Card acceptance:

  • Shops and restaurants: Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in most shops, restaurants, hotels and other service outlets
  • Online: Cards are widely accepted for online payments on Polish websites.

Contactless payments:

  • Contactless payment cards: The majority of cards in Poland have a contactless function, which enables fast payments without the need to enter a PIN for transactions up to a certain amount.
  • Security: Contactless transactions are secured by banks and require PIN authorisation for higher amounts.

Use abroad:

  • International transactions: Cards issued by Polish banks, such as Visa and Mastercard, are accepted worldwid
  • Fees: Before using your card abroad, it is worth checking international transaction fees, which can vary from bank to ba

Where to exchange currency?

Currency exchange offices:

  • Stationary exchange offices: Available in most cities, airports, shopping and tourist centres. They allow you to exchange cash at competitive rates.
  • Comparing exchange rates: Exchange rates can vary from one exchange office to another, so it is advisable to compare offers from several exchange offices before making a transaction.

Banks:

  • Exchange currency at bank branches: It is possible to exchange cash at bank branches, but rates may be less favourable than at exchange offices.
  • Currency accounts: Some banks offer foreign currency accounts, which allows you to store and exchange currency at more favourable rates.

Online platforms:

  • Online exchange offices: Platforms such as Cinkciarz.pl, Walutomat.pl and others offer online currency exchange at attractive rates and secure transactions.
  • Security: Make sure you use reputable and secure platforms to avoid the risk of fraud.

Poland offers a variety of payment methods that are easily accessible and secure. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted and mobile payment systems such as BLIK, Apple Pay and Google Pay provide convenience and speed of transactions. Currency can be exchanged at stationary bureaux de change, banks and online, with it worth comparing rates to get the best deal. Adapting to local payment methods and using modern financial technology can make life much easier for Expats in Poland.

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