Adriana Sas
Research expert covering the Polish market
Digital payments in Poland - statistics & facts
Poland is one of the most developed countries in Europe in terms of using modern technologies for non-cash payments, and the share of cash payments in relation to non-cash payments is decreasing year by year. In the second quarter of 2023, the share of cash transactions amounted to 42.7 percent, a decrease of 1.4 percentage points compared to the previous year. More than 22.6 million Poles actively used online banking in 2023, and 21.7 million used mobile applications. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic suddenly changed the payments market picture. During the lockdown, most transactions were cashless. The e-commerce market developed, making electronic payments even more popular.
One of the most notable developments in Poland's mobile payment landscape is the rapid growth of BLIK. This homegrown payment standard, introduced in 2015, has quickly gained traction for its innovative features. BLIK offers users the convenience of making payments by transferring money to a phone number, withdrawing cash from an ATM without a card, or making quick payments using payment terminals. By the end of 2023, BLIK had amassed nearly 16 million active users, marking a staggering growth of over 56 percent in just two years. This success story underscores the widespread adoption and effectiveness of this mobile payment service in Poland.
Another modern and popular payment solution via internet bank account is the Express Elixir system introduced by the Krajowa Izba Rozliczeniowa (KIR). It allows transactions between two accounts in different banks to be completed in seconds.
Poles are also willing to use contactless terminal card technology. At the end of 2022, contactless payments at point-of-sale (POS) terminals amounted to over 1.22 million. Other payment methods include the Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) service, which is rapidly developing in the Polish market and gaining more and more supporters. However, the online banking penetration is expected to grow to 69.2 percent in 2029.
Mobile payments and BLIK
Thanks to technologies like Near-Field Communication (NFC) and Host Card Emulation (HCE), Poland's mobile payment landscape has grown significantly. This has paved the way for smartphone payments and wearable devices such as Google Pay, Apple Pay, Fitbit Pay, and Garmin Pay. In the first quarter of 2023, over 15 percent of card payments were made using mobile devices like smartphones and smartwatches.One of the most notable developments in Poland's mobile payment landscape is the rapid growth of BLIK. This homegrown payment standard, introduced in 2015, has quickly gained traction for its innovative features. BLIK offers users the convenience of making payments by transferring money to a phone number, withdrawing cash from an ATM without a card, or making quick payments using payment terminals. By the end of 2023, BLIK had amassed nearly 16 million active users, marking a staggering growth of over 56 percent in just two years. This success story underscores the widespread adoption and effectiveness of this mobile payment service in Poland.
Popular electronic payment methods
Payment cards and quick transfers remain Poland's most favored non-cash transaction methods. Payment cards, excluding cash payments, are the preferred payment method in brick-and-mortar stores. When it comes to online shopping, Poles showed a higher inclination towards using BLIK. However, quick transfers through payment services like Przelewy24 or PayU were the second most used method in 2023, indicating a diverse range of preferred payment methods.Another modern and popular payment solution via internet bank account is the Express Elixir system introduced by the Krajowa Izba Rozliczeniowa (KIR). It allows transactions between two accounts in different banks to be completed in seconds.
Poles are also willing to use contactless terminal card technology. At the end of 2022, contactless payments at point-of-sale (POS) terminals amounted to over 1.22 million. Other payment methods include the Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) service, which is rapidly developing in the Polish market and gaining more and more supporters. However, the online banking penetration is expected to grow to 69.2 percent in 2029.
