Poland
With over a thousand years of history, Poland is one of Europe’s most historically rich countries. Geographically located in Central Europe, Poland shares borders with Germany to the west, the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south, Ukraine and Belarus to the east, and the Baltic Sea to the north. The country has a population of approximately 38 million people, with a large portion of that population actively engaged in the workforce. Due to migration from neighboring countries and conflicts such as the war in Ukraine, it is expected that by 2025, Poland's population may grow further. A significant influx of refugees and migrants, particularly from Ukraine, has contributed to a more diverse population. The Polish language is spoken by around 45 million people, primarily in Poland but also in the Polish diaspora around the world.
Which Card Payments are Common in Poland?
Poland has a highly developed and widely accepted card payment infrastructure, with a significant emphasis on both debit and credit cards. The country has seen a notable shift to card payments, which are used frequently for both online and in-store transactions. According to recent data, over 40 million payment cards are in circulation in Poland, with debit cards being the most common. Contactless payment methods, particularly through debit cards, have become very popular.
The most popular payment systems in Poland are Visa and Mastercard, with most banks offering both debit and credit card options. Cards like Visa, Mastercard, and Maestro are commonly used for everyday transactions, including payments at stores and ATM withdrawals. Many Polish consumers also make use of the BLIK system, a widely used mobile payment service that allows users to make payments directly from their bank accounts via smartphones.
The use of mobile wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay has also been increasing, with Polish consumers increasingly adopting NFC (Near Field Communication) technology for quick and easy payments. In addition, services like Samsung Pay are also gaining traction, offering rewards for everyday purchases and making it easy for users to make contactless payments using their smartphones.
Due to the rise in e-commerce, online payments have grown significantly in Poland. BLIK, PayPal, and traditional bank transfers are commonly used to complete online transactions. In 2020, more than 60% of Polish consumers made online purchases, with growing interest in products ranging from electronics and clothing to groceries and home goods. This trend has only accelerated, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, where many turned to e-commerce for their shopping needs.
The Legal Framework for Payment Services in Poland
The provision of payment services in Poland is governed by the legal framework outlined in the Act on Payment Services, which aligns with the EU's Revised Payment Services Directive (PSD2). This framework ensures a safe, secure, and efficient environment for payment services, covering a variety of payment methods, including credit transfers, direct debits, and card payments. Additionally, regulations around electronic money services have contributed to the increase in mobile payment solutions, which are regulated under the same legal structure.
E-commerce and Online Payments in Poland
Poland has seen significant growth in its e-commerce market. In 2020, Polish consumers spent approximately 12 billion euros on online shopping, with e-commerce accounting for a larger share of retail sales each year. It is estimated that by 2025, the number of e-commerce users in Poland will exceed 25 million, a growth of 5% to 7% per year. The expected market value of e-commerce in Poland by 2025 is projected to reach 17 billion euros.
As a result, online businesses looking to enter the Polish market should focus on the most popular and effective payment methods, such as BLIK, bank transfers, and major card networks like Visa and Mastercard. In addition to payment methods, providing an efficient and seamless online shopping experience will help tap into the growing demand for e-commerce in Poland.
Although Poland’s e-commerce market is still smaller than that of Western European countries like Germany, the rapid growth in online purchasing behavior and the increasing number of Polish consumers buying products online offer significant opportunities for international businesses. Whether you are a brand from Spain, France, the UK, Germany, or beyond, Poland represents a promising market for growth and economic expansion.
Top banks
Poland has a well-developed banking sector with numerous reputable banks that serve both individual and corporate clients. Here are some of the top banks in Poland:
PKO Bank Polski
The largest bank in Poland by assets and one of the oldest financial institutions in the country, PKO Bank Polski is a key player in the Polish banking sector. It offers a wide range of services, including retail and corporate banking, investment services, and asset management.
Bank Pekao S.A.
One of the largest banks in Poland, Bank Pekao is a subsidiary of the Italian UniCredit Group. It provides services across retail, corporate, and investment banking, with a significant focus on innovation and digital banking solutions.
ING Bank Śląski
Part of the Dutch ING Group, ING Bank Śląski is a major player in Poland’s banking sector. It is known for its strong presence in both retail and corporate banking and is often recognized for its user-friendly digital banking services.
Santander Bank Polska
Formerly known as Bank Zachodni WBK, Santander Bank Polska is part of the global Santander Group. It is one of the largest retail banks in Poland, offering a wide range of banking services to individuals, businesses, and institutions.
mBank
mBank is one of Poland's leading online banks, offering both retail and corporate banking services. It is part of the German Commerzbank Group and is known for its innovative approach to banking and strong emphasis on digital services.
Alior Bank
Known for its focus on innovation and customer service, Alior Bank has quickly grown to become one of Poland’s prominent banks. It offers retail, corporate, and private banking services and has a strong digital banking presence.
Millennium
Part of the Portuguese Millennium BCP Group, Bank Millennium has shown steady revenue growth, particularly from its retail banking services, mortgage lending, and business banking.
Getin Noble Bank
While Getin Noble Bank is not as large as some of the other players on this list, it still generates substantial revenue through its retail banking, mortgage loans, and consumer finance offerings. Getin Noble Bank’s revenue in 2022 was around PLN 2.1 billion.
Top payment methods
BLIK is especially popular for online shopping, peer-to-peer payments, and mobile payments. Around 50% of Poland's adult population uses BLIK.
Visa and Mastercard dominate in both retail and online payments and are especially popular for contactless payments. Around 80-85% of card market share, with over 40 million payment cards in circulation.
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More details about each Payment Methods:
BLIK
BLIK is a Polish mobile payment system that has gained significant traction in recent years. It allows users to make payments using their smartphones, including online purchases, in-store payments, ATM withdrawals, and even peer-to-peer (P2P) transfers. BLIK is linked directly to users' bank accounts and does not require a credit or debit card.
BLIK is extremely popular among Polish consumers, especially for mobile payments and online transactions. It is supported by most of Poland's major banks, making it widely accessible to a large portion of the population.
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Mastercard
Mastercard is one of the dominant card networks in Poland, alongside Visa. Together, these two networks account for a significant portion of the card market in the country. The adoption of Mastercard has been high, with both debit and credit cards being widely accepted by merchants and consumers.
VISA
Visa is one of the leading payment networks in Poland, widely used for both debit and credit card payments. It holds a significant market share, alongside Mastercard, and is accepted by most merchants across the country. Visa cards are popular for in-store and online transactions, with contactless payments being especially common. Polish consumers also use Visa cards for mobile payments through services like Apple Pay and Google Pay. Visa’s security features, such as EMV chips and 3D Secure, make transactions safe and reliable, contributing to the growth of digital payments and e-commerce in Poland.
Concluding remarks
In Poland, payment habits are similar to those in other developed countries, with a mix of traditional and modern payment methods gaining popularity. Cash, debit cards, and credit cards remain widely accepted for everyday transactions. However, mobile payments and contactless payments have seen a significant rise in recent years, reflecting the country’s growing digital shift. Below, we detail each of these payment methods and their particularities in Poland:
Cash
Cash is still in use in Poland, but its share of total payments is shrinking rapidly. Digital payments, including card payments (Visa, Mastercard), BLIK, and mobile wallets, are replacing cash in most areas of life. While cash remains important for small, everyday purchases, the trend is clearly moving toward a cashless society, especially in urban areas, and this shift is expected to continue over the next several years.
E-wallets
E-wallets in Poland are becoming a key part of the payment ecosystem, with systems like BLIK, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal leading the charge. The use of mobile wallets continues to grow, driven by increasing adoption of contactless payments, e-commerce, and mobile banking. Polish consumers are increasingly relying on these digital solutions for their everyday transactions, and their popularity is expected to rise further in the coming years.
Banks of Poland
The most popular banks include PKO Bank Polski, mBank, Bank Pekao, Santander Bank Polska, and ING Bank Śląski. PKO Bank Polski is the largest, with a broad customer base and a significant share in the banking market. mBank is known for its digital banking services, while Santander and ING offer comprehensive financial services with a strong presence in both retail and corporate banking. Bank Pekao is also a key player, offering a wide range of banking products. These banks are prominent for their innovative digital solutions and customer-focused services.
Debit and Credit Cards
Debit and credit cards, primarily issued by Visa and Mastercard, are very popular in Poland. Contactless payments dominate, with more than 80% of card transactions being contactless. Polish consumers use cards frequently for both in-store and online payments, and card ownership is widespread across the population.
Payment methods
BLIK is emerging as a significant player in Poland, especially for mobile and online transactions, while Visa and Mastercard continue to dominate in the card payment sector, particularly for both in-store and online purchases. The future seems to be shifting towards paybybank, while BLINK, Visa&Mastercard still has a big popularity in the market.
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Processing News is an Online Wikipedia of the payment world. We collect and publish information about payment habits in different countries, describing methods that payers use in their daily life.
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