Is it better to use cash or card in Poland?

If you plan on visiting Poland soon, you’re working out a travel budget. No matter how much money you plan on spending there, you might want to learn Polish spending habits and etiquette, so you can spend like a local while you’re there.

Polish people use cash and digital payment methods almost equally, but cash use is noticeably declining. However, this doesn’t mean you should completely rely on cards and payment apps, especially in certain situations. We’ll go into more detail to help answer the question - which is more convenient, cash or card in Poland?

We’ll also show you a cost-effective way to manage your spending in Poland. For spending abroad and international purchases, whether online or in person, you can rely on the Wise card. You can even withdraw cash like a local at the mid-market exchange rate for low fees*.

How cash-centric is Poland?¹

Although cash is still widely used in Poland, it’s far from a cash-centric country. Poland is actually one of Europe’s most modern countries when it comes to digital means of payment.

Cards are the most used form of payment in Polish stores. Around 15% of cashless transactions are made through mobile wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Wallet.

However, Poland’s own mobile payment method BLIK is rapidly gaining popularity with around 16 million people using it on a regular basis.

Cash etiquette in Poland²

Tipping is not required in Poland, but it’s still greatly appreciated. The usual amount people leave is 10% of the bill or enough to round it up. The only time a tip might be automatically included is if you’re in a restaurant with a large group of people. In all other cases, it’s entirely up to you.

If you’re in a restaurant or in a bar, you can leave a tip even when you’re paying with your card. When it comes to tipping tour guides, hotel staff or taxi drivers, you’ll need to have some cash on hand.

Cash or card in Poland - the comparison

We’ve listed some situations where you’ll be paying for things in Poland. Here’s whether you’ll be able to pay by card, in cash or both:

Payment for…	Card 💳	Cash 👛
🚕 Taxis	Sometimes - ask the driver in advance3	Yes
🏪 Convenience stores	Usually yes	Yes
☕ Coffee shops	Yes	Yes
🚌 Public transport	In bigger cities, yes4	Yes
🍽️ Restaurants	Yes	Yes
🏰 Castle entrance	Usually5	Yes

Using your card in Poland at an ATM⁶

There are over 22,000 ATMs in Poland, so it’s rather easy to locate them. If you’re in a big city, you can find them in shopping centres, supermarkets, rail stations and of course, in Polish banks. Most of them are open 24/7.

The good news is that ATMs in Poland usually don’t charge a foreign card fee. Still, you should always check with your bank whether they will include one for using your card abroad.

It’s always recommended to choose to withdraw in the local currency without a currency conversion. This will mean you get a better rate, as the conversion will be done by your bank or card provider instead of the ATM provider.

Check out the latest GBP to PLN conversion rates below:

Will my UK debit card work in Poland?⁷

Yes, you’ll be able to use your UK debit card in Poland. However, your bank might charge you a fee for foreign transactions or withdrawals.

Can I use my UK credit card in Poland?⁷

As long as you’re visiting a place that accepts cards, you’ll be able to use your UK-issued credit card. Just be mindful of any fees that your provider may charge you.

Reasons to use cash in Poland

Even though you’ll probably be able to pay by card most of the time, you shouldn’t rely on this completely. If you plan on visiting some of the less touristy areas of Poland, it’s likely that some places won’t accept cards at all.

Sometimes, taxis don’t accept card payments and may insist on cash. In order to avoid uncomfortable situations, you should have some on you at all times.

Besides this, one of the top reasons for carrying Polish złoty is being able to leave cash tips. This is the best way to make sure the specific person that served you actually receives it in full.

Reasons to use credit or debit cards in Poland

While cards are a more convenient and quicker payment option, they are often safer than carrying lots of cash with you. You won’t have to think about losing money or getting robbed.

Also, Polish locals prefer them to cash, so they’re widely used and accepted.

Are contactless card payments common in Poland?

Contactless payments are very popular in Poland. Most places that accept cards use this method.³ The limit for contactless card payments in Poland is 100 PLN which is just under £20.⁸

Your Wise card can also be used for contactless payments in Poland. If you don’t want to carry cards with you, you can get the Wise virtual card with the same features.

Other payment methods in Poland

Besides traditional credit and debit cards, other payment methods are also available in Poland.

Mobile payment

Popular digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Wallet are widely used in Poland as well. They’re popular due to how convenient and safe they are, since they allow you to leave your cards at home. If you have one of these apps on your phone, make sure they’re updated before you leave to avoid any issues.

There are also mobile payment apps for locals only, the most popular one being BLIK. BLIK users connect their bank accounts to the app and then use it for online and POS transactions. Payments are made by scanning QR codes or entering codes generated by merchants. It also has bonus features such as bill splitting and fund transfers.⁹

For an additional layer of security, you could add your Wise virtual card to your wallet. It has all the benefits of a regular Wise card, but it exists in your phone only. You can freeze your Wise virtual card after every transaction from the app for extra security, too.

Buy now pay later options (BNPL)¹⁰

The BNPL method of payment is becoming increasingly popular in Poland. There are various different providers, but some of the more popular ones are PayPo, Tpay and BLIK.

These companies allow customers to split their purchases into instalments, usually three or four. Tpay even allows a period of up to 36 months.

As with all BNPL options, always make sure you can afford the repayments.

What is the best way to pay in Poland: cash or card?

Although you’ll be able to pay with your card almost anywhere, having some cash on you is still a good idea. This is especially important if you plan on visiting some more remote parts of Poland where cash is the only accepted payment method.

Also, keep in mind that having some Polish złoty in your wallet is useful if you wish to leave tips or make smaller purchases.

Spend like a local in Poland with the Wise card

Want to spend like a local in Poland and 150+ countries without worrying about exchange rates and hidden fees? The Wise card might be just the option you were looking for.

The Wise card can be used for international payments, from your accommodation costs to daily expenses. It automatically converts your pounds at the mid-market exchange rate with only a small, transparent currency conversion fee*.

Saving on fees means you’ll have more money to spend on pierogi or souvenirs!

With a Wise card you can also easily withdraw cash from ATMs in Poland. Each month, you can make 2 withdrawals of up to 200 GBP for free. After that, there is a charge of 0.5 GBP per withdrawal*.

Your Wise card awaits 💳

Please see the Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise fees & pricing for the most up-to-date information on pricing and fees

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Cash or card in Poland - FAQs

Here are some of the most frequent questions about using cash or cards in Poland:

Can I use my UK debit card in Poland?

Yes, you should be able to use your UK debit card wherever they accept card payments.

What is the most used payment method in Poland?

Cards are the most used form of payment in Poland.

Is cash or card preferred in Krakow?

You should be able to mostly use your card in a tourist-friendly city like Krakow. However, it’s a good idea to have some cash on you, for tips or small purchases.

Can you use GBP in Poland?

The currency used in Poland is the Polish złoty. If you see that a place accepts pounds, keep in mind that a markup is likely included in their prices.

Is it better to buy złoty in Poland?

You don’t have to buy złoty ahead of arriving in Poland, especially if you have a Wise debit card. If you want, you can bring a small amount with you just in case.

How much złoty do you need for a week in Poland?

That largely depends on your spending habits and travel style. However, you can always withdraw more money if you end up needing it. Why not give the Wise card a try?

Can you use contactless in Poland?

Yes, contactless payments are the norm in Poland.

Can I use my Wise card in Poland?

Yes, you can use your Wise card in Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław, and anywhere else in Poland to enjoy auto-conversion on all your holiday spending at the mid-market rate for a small, transparent fee*.

Why not also check out the Wise account? There’s no limit on how much you can hold in your Wise account and it can hold over 40+ currencies.

Your Wise account awaits 🌏

Please see the Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise fees & pricing for the most up-to-date information on pricing and fees

Sources used:

1. Statista - statistics and facts on digital payments in Poland
2. Poland Insiders - tipping etiquette in Poland
3. Finder - using a credit card in Poland
4. Finding Poland - public transport in Warsaw
5. Wawel Royal Castle - castle entrance fees
6. Discover Cracow - Poland’s currency
7. Finder - using a UK credit or debit card in Poland
8. NFCW - contactless card limits around the world
9. Shuttle Global - popular payment methods in Poland
10. IBS Intelligence - BNPL companies in Poland

Sources last checked on date: 11-Jul-2024