Poland has emerged as a pioneering force in Europe’s evolving payments landscape, thanks to its early adoption of contactless payments, widespread use of mobile banking, and the rise of innovative payment platforms like BLIK.
As highlighted in the Digital & Card Payments Yearbook for Poland, the country’s payment infrastructure is evolving rapidly, fuelled by a combination of digital innovation, changing consumer preferences, and the broader European push for seamless, cross-border transactions.
The integration of advanced technologies and a favourable regulatory framework has positioned Poland as a leader in the European payments market.
Early Adoption of Contactless and Digital Payments
Poland’s payments market has consistently been at the forefront of digital transformation in Europe.
The country pioneered contactless payments as early as the 2000s, setting the stage for widespread adoption of card and mobile-based payment systems.
By the end of 2022, nearly 99.43% of all POS terminals in Poland supported contactless transactions, with contactless cards representing 93.61% of the total card pool in circulation.
This early lead has allowed Poland to build one of the most sophisticated contactless payment ecosystems in Europe, where more than 40 million cards were issued by banks at the end of 2022.
This shift from traditional cash-based transactions to digital and cardless payments highlights Poland’s ability to adapt to new technological advancements, and it reflects a growing consumer preference for convenience and security.
BLIK: The Rise of a Mobile Payments Powerhouse
Perhaps the most notable innovation in Poland’s payment landscape is BLIK, a domestic digital account-to-account (A2A) payment system developed by Polish banks.
BLIK has become a household name, allowing users to make seamless and secure payments directly from their bank accounts without the need for a physical card.
The platform’s rise in popularity is staggering, as it has effectively leapfrogged traditional card-based payment methods, particularly in the e-commerce and mobile payments sectors.
In 2022 alone, BLIK processed more than 763 million transactions, accounting for a total value of PLN 103 billion.
BLIK’s success demonstrates how Poland’s payment ecosystem is shifting towards digital-first solutions, with consumers opting for instant and cashless transactions in an increasingly connected world.
Beyond its initial success, BLIK has become an integral part of the Polish consumer’s daily life, offering a variety of services from mobile-to-mobile (P2P) transfers to in-store payments.
As a result, BLIK is now a key enabler in the Polish mobile payments ecosystem, used by a wide demographic of consumers who have embraced digital convenience over traditional cash or card payments.
PSD2 and the Push for Open Banking
Poland’s banking and payments infrastructure has also benefited from the implementation of the Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2), which laid the groundwork for Open Banking.
Under PSD2, Polish banks have begun adopting APIs that allow third-party providers (TPPs) to access account information and initiate payments, creating an ecosystem of innovation and competition.
This shift towards Open Banking has helped fuel the development of new payment solutions and services that cater to the digital economy.
Banks and financial institutions in Poland are increasingly offering account aggregation services, allowing customers to view multiple accounts from different banks in a single app.
This not only enhances customer convenience but also improves payment transparency, security, and the overall user experience.
Leading Polish banks, such as PKO BP and mBank, have been instrumental in embracing the Open Banking revolution.
PKO BP, for instance, has integrated Open Banking features into its IKO mobile app, which now serves as a one-stop solution for both banking and payments. The app had over 5 million active users in 2022, reinforcing the bank’s commitment to digital transformation.
Regulatory Framework and Future Trends
Poland’s payments ecosystem is also shaped by a favourable regulatory environment that aligns with the broader European Union (EU) directives on payments.
The Polish government has embraced the European Commission’s (EC) vision of creating a harmonised payments market, ensuring compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the E-Money Directive (EMD).
These regulations not only provide a robust legal framework for payments but also enhance consumer protection and promote secure payment practices.
Looking forward, Poland is poised to benefit from the anticipated adoption of PSD3, which will further refine Open Banking standards and facilitate greater competition among payment service providers.
PSD3 is expected to introduce new standards for strong customer authentication (SCA) and expand access to non-bank payment services, driving further innovation in the digital payments sector.
Poland’s Payments Future is Digital
Poland’s payments market is set for continued growth and transformation as digital-first solutions like BLIK gain traction and Open Banking takes hold.
The country’s forward-thinking approach to payment innovation, combined with its favourable regulatory landscape, positions it as a leader in the European payments market.
With mobile payments becoming the new norm and Open Banking set to unlock further opportunities, Poland is on the cusp of a payments revolution that will enhance convenience, security, and financial inclusion for its consumers and businesses alike.
Key Statistics
In 2022, Poland had 44.4 million payment cards in issue.
Card transactions totalled 7.4 billion, with a value of PLN 461.1 billion.
Contactless payments accounted for 85% of all card transactions.
Mobile payments saw a 30% year-on-year increase.
The number of POS terminals reached 1.07 million, reflecting a 10% growth from the previous year.
The Digital & Card Payment Yearbooks provide the latest data on the European and Eurasian digital payment and card payment markets at granular country and regional level.
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