Currency and Payments

In Poland, the official currency is the Polish złoty, abbreviated as PLN and sometimes written as zł. One złoty is divided into 100 smaller units called grosze (gr) – similar to cents or pennies.

You’ll most often come across:

  • Banknotes: 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 zł
  • Coins: 1, 2, 5 zł and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 gr

Exchanging Money

You can exchange foreign currency in several ways:

  • Kantors (currency exchange offices) – usually offer the best rates, especially in city centres, near stations or malls. They typically don’t charge extra fees and display current rates clearly.
    Avoid exchanging money at the airport – rates there are usually much worse.
  • Banks – may offer less favourable exchange rates and additional service fees.
  • ATMs – widely available and accept most international cards (Visa, Mastercard, etc.).
    When withdrawing cash, always choose PLN, not your home currency – this helps avoid hidden conversion fees from your bank or card provider.

Payment habits in Poland:

Poland is very digital when it comes to payments. In many places, you won’t need cash at all.

You can pay by:

  • Credit and debit cards – widely accepted in stores, restaurants, public institutions
  • Mobile phone – apps like Google Pay, Apple Pay, and the Polish system BLIK are widely used
  • Cash – still useful in small shops, local markets, or outside the city – it’s a good idea to always carry at least a small amount with you

Most daily transactions – shopping, transport, rent payments, topping up your phone – can be done quickly and securely by card or online. It’s efficient, user-friendly, and widely trusted in Poland.

What is BLIK?

BLIK is a very convenient, safe, and popular mobile payment system used widely in Poland.

It allows you to:

  • pay in shops, cafés, and online stores
  • withdraw cash from ATMs
  • send money instantly to another person

You don’t need a physical card – just generate a 6-digit code in your banking app and use it to confirm a payment or withdrawal.

You can use BLIK to send money directly to someone’s bank account using their mobile phone number (if both of you have BLIK activated). Transfers are instant and available 24/7 – perfect for splitting bills or paying someone back on the spot.

To use BLIK, you need:

  • a Polish bank account
  • your bank’s mobile app
  • and a quick one-time activation of BLIK in the app

Most Polish banks support BLIK – just check in your app or ask at the bank branch.