Want to know more about the currency in Poland? They use Polish Zloty (PLN) and here you read everything you need to know before your trip including answers to frequently asked questions about Polish money, ATMs, and card payments.
As a tourist, it’s always a good idea to be acquainted with the local currency, and how much it’s worth in your own local currency. Poland uses the Zloty as currency and you might wonder if you should exchange this before your trip or not?
Keep reading, and I will share all the tips and tricks for getting the most out of your money in Poland.
Quick facts about the Polish Zloty (PLN)
- Currency in: Poland.
- Date of introduction: 1995, but dates back to the 15th century.
- Denominations 1, 2, 5 mynt. 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 banknotes.
- Subunit: 100 Groszy
- Abbreviation: zł
- Currency code: PLN
Are Euros accepted in Poland?
Euros are usually accepted in tourist areas, but the exchange rate given is usually horrible, and you will lose a lot of money when paying with Euro in Poland. It’s much better to get Polish Zloty and pay in the local currency of Poland.
Can you pay by card in Poland?
Yes, many stores, restaurants, and hotels accept card payments by VISA and Mastercard. However, it’s still a cash-society and you should always carry some cash while traveling around Poland.
Should you exchange Polish Zloty before your trip?
The short answer is no, don’t exchange your money to Polish Zloty before your trip. You will usually get a bad rate when going to exchange offices, and it’s much better to take out cash from a local ATM when you arrive in Poland.
If you still want to exchange Polish Zloty before your trip, only exchange a small sum that covers basic expenses and a taxi/bus ride from the airport.
Money and ATMs in Poland
I recommend that you always carry some cash during your trip, and it’s a good idea to have smaller denominations as well because newsstands, kiosks, buses and other smaller shops might not always have change for large notes.
Using ATMs in Poland is quite straightforward. When you insert a foreign bank card, it will automatically display information in English or your local language. After that, you just follow the instructions and choose how much cash you want to take out.
Remember to always choose to be charged in the local currency, and never use Euronet ATMs as they charge money and offer terrible rates. Also, use a card that doesn’t have any ATM fees.
Photo: Karolis Kavolelis / Shutterstock.com
More about the currency in Poland
The Polish Zloty has existed as currency in Poland since the 15th century but was then named Złote Polskie. The name is the masculine form of the polish word “golden” and comes from Zloto, which means gold. In the 15th century, it was used for all kinds of foreign gold coins.
It’s the Polish Central Bank (Narodowy Bank Polski) that gives out the currency in Poland. It was founded in 1828, under the name Bank Polski. They have their headquarters in the Polish capital Warsaw.
The New Polish Zloty
The modern Polish Zloty was introduced in 1995 after a currency reform. 10 000 of the old Zloty was equal to 1 new Polish Zloty (PLN). The Poles also have something called groszy, which is like cents, and 100 groszy are equal to 1 Zloty.
The lowest denomination of the Polish currency is 1 grosz.
Since introducing the new Zloty as the currency in Poland it has remained quite stable, and 4-5 Zloty is usually worth 1 Euro depending on the exchange rate.
The Polish currency in coins and banknotes:
- Coins: 1, 2, 5 zloty and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 groszy.
- Banknotes: 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 zloty.
You can see some various Polish coins below.
Why does Poland not use the Euro?
A good question that many foreigners might wonder. It can easily be answered by the fact that Poland doesn’t fulfill the requirements to join the Eurozone. The public opinion is also against changing the currency in Poland into the Euro, so it will probably be a while before they actually join the Eurozone.
Polish Currency Converter
If you want to see the daily exchange rate for Polish Zloty, I suggest that you download the XE currency app, which shows the daily rates as well as converting Zloty to EUR, USD, GBP, and other currencies.
Another option is to use Revolut and their app to see the realtime value of the Polish currency.
Frequently asked questions about Money in Poland
Are US dollars accepted in Poland?
US dollars are generally not accepted as payment in Poland. However, you can exchange US dollars to Polish Zloty.
Can I use my Visa Debit Card in Poland?
Yes, Visa debit cards are widely accepted in Poland. The same goes for Mastercard.
What is the best currency to use in Poland?
The best currency to use in Poland is the Polish Zloty (PLN). Even if Euros might be accepted in touristy areas, it’s a bad idea because of the terrible exchange rate you will be given.
More reading from Poland
Do you have more questions about the currency in Poland? Leave a comment below!