Poland is a compelling choice for businesses expanding to Europe. It has one of the EU’s largest and most resilient economies, a tech-savvy population, and an increasingly digitalized payment market.
Still, to ensure a smooth expansion, you need to get the details right. Payment preferences in Poland differ from those in Western Europe, with local methods such as BLIK accounting for a significant number of transactions. As an EU member, Poland also has strict regulations on consumer protection and data handling that you must adhere to.
Understanding these specifics before you launch can save you from checkout friction, failed transactions, and compliance headaches down the line.
This guide will explain how to accept payments in Poland. You’ll also learn about the latest trends, most common payment methods, customer preferences, and local regulations.
Key takeaways
- Poland's payment market is digitizing rapidly, but preferences vary.
Cards, BLIK, and bank transfers are the leading methods, while Buy Now, Pay Later is growing more popular, especially among younger users.
- Compliance isn't optional—and it extends beyond GDPR.
PSD2, VAT rules, consumer protection laws, and currency requirements all apply. Getting these wrong can lead to fines, failed transactions, or reputational damage.
- A smooth checkout experience drives conversions.
Polish consumers will abandon purchases if they don't see their preferred payment method or if your site isn't mobile-friendly.
- The right provider simplifies setup and operations.
Paypercut supports cards, digital wallets, and BNPL through one integration, with BLIK launching soon. The fully digital onboarding, multi-currency support, and no lock-in contracts make it easy to start accepting payments in Poland and beyond.
Understanding the Polish payment market
The Polish payments market has been undergoing shifts over the last few years, as shown by these statistics:
- In 2025, Poland ranked first for mobile and internet banking transactions in the EU Financial Centres Power Index. Its overall rank is 9/27.
- 69% of transactions in 2024 were non-cash payments.
- Payment cards were the most common payment method in Poland, accounting for 65% of transactions and 10 billion POS/online volumes.
- In the first half of 2025, the number of merchants accepting online card payments grew by 6% compared to the second half of 2024.
- BLIK, Poland’s mobile payment system, processed 1.39 billion transactions in the first half of 2025, achieving a 24% year-over-year increase.
- The Buy Now, Pay Later market has been growing rapidly over the last few years. Forecasts indicate that BNPL will continue to grow at 24.7% annually and reach a value of $4.09 billion USD in 2026.
- Poland’s market for Digital Payment Gateways for Small to Medium Enterprises has also been growing and is currently valued at $1.3 billion USD.
Purchasing habits in Poland are varied. While some businesses still rely on cash for routine purchases, digital adoption is accelerating. Cards and BLIK have been dominating everyday transactions recently.
Several factors are fueling this shift. E-commerce growth continues to drive demand for secure online checkout options. The majority of Polish consumers state that security and safety are key factors in their choice of payment provider. Besides that, fintech companies are driving innovation and raising consumer expectations for convenience.
Poland's EU membership has also contributed to its digital growth. The revised Payment Services Directive (PSD2) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) have opened the market to more competition while tightening data protection standards.
The most common payment methods in Poland
Get familiar with Poland’s preferred payment methods so you know which ones to prioritize:
1. Payment cards
Payment cards are the current most popular payment method in Poland. 75% of Polish consumers trust cards more than any other payment method.
Debit cards have been the go-to cards for Polish consumers for over 10 years. They make up nearly 95% of all payment card transactions today.
Additionally, Poland is among the world’s leaders in the use of contactless cards. Over 97% of all card transactions in the country are contactless, and 100% of its POS terminals now support this method.
2. Digital wallets
Digital wallets and mobile solutions are becoming more widespread. In the first half of 2025:
- Over 13.8 million cards were registered with services like BLIK
- Users executed 1,693 million transactions
- Over 9 million users executed at least one transaction
The most common choice is the local BLIK. Services like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and bank-owned wallets also exist, but they’re not as prevalent.
3. Bank transfer
Another common digital option is instant bank transfer, which is available via services such as Przelewy24, Sofort, and PayU. This method is more common among older users, who appreciate the efficiency of online payments without having to leave the familiar bank environment.
4. BNPL
Polish consumers increasingly demand flexibility, including installment payments such as BNPL. The BNPL market has been growing rapidly over the last few years and will continue to do so.
The demand for BNPL is higher among younger consumers (aged 18–35), who make up 70% of BNPL users. Reasons may include high interest rates and limited access to formal credit.
5. Cash
Cash is used mainly in rural areas and smaller businesses, and typically for low-cost daily purchases.
It’s evident that Poland is moving away from this payment method. Usage has been declining over the last decade, and the number of ATMs has decreased.
Best practices when accepting payments in Poland
To maximize conversions and avoid common pitfalls, follow these tips:
Offer various payment options
Polish consumers expect choice at checkout, and they're willing to abandon a purchase if they don't get it. The percentage of online shoppers canceling orders due to limited payment options has increased significantly since 2017.
To avoid losing sales, accept as many methods as possible, including payment cards, BLIK, instant transfers, and installment payments.
Don't overlook cash, as it still matters for some segments of the population. If you run an e-commerce business, you can offer cash-on-delivery as an option.
Simplify payments across devices
82% of people in Poland shop on mobile devices. The percentage is even higher among younger users. Having a website that’s poorly designed, slow, or complex to use will frustrate your customers and lead to abandoned carts.
Your website, store, and payment gateways need to provide a seamless experience for all users. In other words, make sure they’re optimized for all devices and allow fast and simple purchasing.
Additionally, having a solid customer support and help center can help improve customer satisfaction, sales, and retention.
Abide by local laws and regulations
Knowing and following Poland’s legal requirements is necessary to avoid getting into trouble. Make sure to consult the official government documentation and adapt your systems accordingly before the launch. Hiring a local expert or agency can save you time and effort.
Here are some examples of guidelines you’ll need to adhere to:
- Value-added tax (VAT): You must apply the appropriate VAT rate to your items or services and include it in the pricing. Once you collect the tax, you’ll need to remit it to the government.
- Customer verification: To comply with PSD2 and the Consumer Rights Act, you must implement multiple layers of customer authentication and verify transaction legitimacy in the event of unauthorized transactions.
- Data protection: Poland follows GDPR standards, so you must ensure data governance and protection. Be transparent about your data collection and sharing practices, request explicit user consent, and safeguard data with top-of-the-line security measures. Failing to meet these standards can result in legal issues, penalties, and reputational damage.
- Consumer protection: Poland is strict about consumer rights. Among other requirements, you need to ensure product safety, clearly disclose prices and fees, and provide quality guarantees through refunds, replacements, or repairs.
- Currency support: Despite being in the EU, Poland still uses złoty (PLN). If your business was founded in Poland or has a branch there, you’ll need to provide pricing in the local currency and run your books in the local language. Even if your business is foreign and only sells to Polish customers, it’s a good practice to display prices in PLN.
How to start accepting payments in Poland: Get started in 4 steps
Now that you have all the knowledge to start accepting payments in Poland, it’s time to turn your idea into fruition:
1. Select a payment provider
Look for a provider that supports the payment methods Polish consumers expect—cards, BLIK, digital wallets, and BNPL. Make sure they comply with local regulations, including PSD2 and GDPR, and can handle PLN transactions.
You should also consider your business’s size, location, and tech stack to select the best option. A provider like Paypercut is ideal for European small businesses, as it’s flexible, scalable, and easy to integrate without a dedicated expert team.
2. Set up the integration
Depending on your setup, this could mean installing a plugin for your e-commerce platform, embedding a hosted checkout, or integrating via API. The simpler the process, the faster you can go live.
3. Verify your business
You'll need to complete KYC (Know Your Customer) verification. This process typically involves submitting business registration documents, proof of identity, and banking details. The good news is that providers typically allow you to complete this process online.
4. Optimize your gateway
Before going live, make sure to adapt the listings and checkout processes to comply with Polish law. For example, provide satisfaction guarantees, disclose fees, or list prices in PLN.
Once you're live, test your checkout flow, monitor drop-off rates, and adjust based on what your customers prefer. Minor improvements, such as adding new payment methods or simplifying form fields, can meaningfully increase conversions.
How Paypercut makes it easy to accept payments in Poland
Entering the Polish market can be challenging, but the right provider can save you time, effort, and money.
Built for SMBs in Central and Eastern Europe, Paypercut helps you accept payments from Poland quickly, without rebuilding your gateway. Paypercut brings together cards, digital wallets, BNPL, and local payment methods into a single, easy-to-manage platform.
Setup is straightforward, with fully digital onboarding, plugin integration, and online KYC verification. Paypercut also takes care of PSD2 and GDPR compliance, so you can focus on your business instead of paperwork.
Some of Paypercut’s main advantages include:
- Multi-currency support: Offer payments in PLN, as well as 12 other European currencies.
- No lock-in or hidden fees: Paypercut charges per transaction and doesn’t entail setup fees or monthly commitments.
- Payment links and QR codes: Accept payments without a website. These options are ideal for invoices, social sales, or in-person transactions.
- Real human support: When you have a question or problem, Paypercut connects you with regional experts who know your business.
Get in touch today and start accepting payments in Poland within days.
