About money

About money

Polish currency is the zloty (zł, PLN). One zloty is divided into 100 groszy (1 zł = 100 gr).
Banknotes with the following denominations 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 zł and coins with the following denominations 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 gr and 1, 2, 5 zł are in circulation.

Poland is expected to join the Euro, but whether or not we actually do remains to be seen.

Currencies may be exchanged in numerous bureaux de change (Kantors) or in banks. Kantors are usually located in city centres, at railway stations, airports, in some hotels and in places with higher numbers of tourists.

You can check the official current exchange rates according to the National Bank of Poland (NBP) at : http://www.nbp.pl/Kursy/Kursya.html

BANKS, ATMs AND BANK CARDS

Foreign tourists may exchange money, cash traveller’s cheques and conduct all financial operations in banks, however, there may be queues.
Standard opening hours for banks are 10 am–6 pm.
ATMs of various networks and banks are popular and easily accessible in larger towns and large agglomerations. Cash may be taken out of them, usually 24h per day, in denominations constituting multiples of PLN 50.

ATMs usualy have an option to switch the language to English.

A list of ATMs in the entire territory of Poland may be found at : http://www.karty.pl/

A bank card is a very popular, safe and convenient means of payment in Poland. It may be used without any problem in supermarkets, at filling stations, in restaurants or hotels. You may, though, be asked for proof of identity. Poles have their ID cards – you will have to carry your passport.

In newsagent’s kiosks, local shops or smaller towns and villages you will still need to have cash on you.

Both embossed (Visa, Mastercard) and electronic cards (Visa Electron, Maestro) are widely accepted.

A credit card is necessary when we want to rent a car or pay for online shopping (e.g. air ticket).
In the case of a loss or theft of a card (Mastercard or Visa), you should call the following number as soon as possible:
Polcard (Authorisation Department)  0 22 515 30 00

And your own card issuer.