Use of basic banking services

Poland is one of the countries where the share of cashless payments is growing rapidly, but cash still plays an important role. Below you will find a description of the most commonly used payment methods, both in stationary stores and online.

Cash is widely accepted, in stores, markets, cabs or eating establishments. It’s a good idea to carry small amounts with you, as in some places (such as markets) it’s the only accepted form of payment. Remember that ATMs and deposit machines allow you to easily manage cash from your account.

For some people, paying with cash also has an important psychological dimension that helps better control spending. Physically handing over money makes us more conscious of the cost of purchases, and seeing the shrinking number of bills in our wallets can discourage impulsive decisions. Cashless payments are very convenient, but can lead to the so-called “painless effect,” where we easily lose track of how much we are actually spending.

Contactless payments by card, phone or watch are a more common way to pay in Polish stores. Thanks to NFC (Near-Field Communication) technology, all you have to do is bring your device or card closer to the payment terminal, and the transaction is completed in seconds. For payments of up to PLN 100, a PIN is usually not required, further speeding up the process.

Phone payments: The most commonly used apps are Google Pay and Apple Pay, which allow you to add a payment card to your phone and use it like a digital wallet. This is very convenient because you don’t have to carry your wallet.

BLIK is a Polish mobile payment system that has become an absolute hit in recent years. It is a very popular method both in stationary stores and online. It works by generating a six-digit code that is unique for each transaction and valid for 2 minutes.

• ATM withdrawals: BLIK also allows you to withdraw cash from ATMs without using your card.
• At stationary stores: You give the cashier the BLIK code from the bank app, enter it at the terminal, and then confirm the transaction in e-banking on your phone.
• Online: You enter the BLIK code in the payment form on the store’s website, and then approve the operation in your bank app. This is much faster than a traditional bank transfer.

Quick transfers, often referred to as Pay-by-link, are the dominant payment method in Polish e-commerce. In this case, after selecting the payment option, you are automatically redirected to the website of your bank. The system itself fills in all the transfer data (account number, amount, title), and you only need to log in and confirm the operation. Thanks to this, the seller immediately receives information about the payment, and the package can be sent faster.

Deferred payments are becoming increasingly popular. They allow you to make a purchase but pay for it at a later date, usually up to 30 days.

However, this convenience can lead to pitfalls. Deferred payments make it easy to lose track of how much you’re spending, which can result in spending beyond your means and losing control of your budget. Remember, this is the kind of obligation you have to pay back on time.