Poland is one of the European Union countries that has not yet adopted the Euro, so you will always have to pay in local currency during your holiday on Polish soil. The Polish currency is the zloty (złoty), indicated in exchange offices by PLN.
The exchange rate is always subject to change, but as a guide we can say that one euro is worth about 4.3-4.5 zloty, which is roughly equivalent to 22-23 euro cents to one zloty.
1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 groszy and 1, 2, 5 zloty coins are available, as well as 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 zloty notes.
It is not easy to change euros into Polish zlotys in your home country, but at Polish airports and in major cities you will find numerous exchange agencies called ‘kantors’. You may meet people on the street who offer to exchange money for you: always refuse, both because this practice is illegal and because the exchange rates charged by these crooks are always very disadvantageous.
A more practical and often much cheaper solution (depending on the conditions applied by your bank) than changing money in exchange offices is to withdraw money in local currency at ATMs.
ATMs in Poland can be found easily, in all areas of major cities, and accept all popular international circuits. Your bank may charge a fee for withdrawing cash abroad: check this before you travel. Credit cards are also commonly accepted in hotels, restaurants, shops and ticket offices of museums and attractions: if in doubt, ask if you can use your card before making purchases.
If you have not yet used an ATM or credit card outside your country, make sure before you leave that your card is enabled for use abroad and ask about the maximum daily withdrawal amount.
The zloty is the currency of Poland. It is divided into 100 groszy (singular: grosz). The name ‘zloty’ is derived from the Polish word ‘złoto’, meaning gold, testifying to the country’s ancient monetary tradition.
The current Polish zloty was introduced in 1995, replacing the previous zloty that had suffered severe devaluations during the transition from a planned to a market economy in the 1990s.
The name zloty has a long history dating back to the Middle Ages, when gold coins called ‘zloty’ (literally ‘golden’) circulated in Poland. Over the centuries, different variants of the coin were used in Polish territories.
The modern zloty was reintroduced on 1 January 1995, when Poland began a process of currency denomination to stabilise the economy after the fall of communism. This reform led to the creation of a stable and fully convertible currency.
In 1995, coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 groszy and 1, 2, 5 zloty were introduced. Later, in 2012, a new series of coins with an updated design was introduced.
The current Polish banknotes, introduced between 1994 and 2012, are available in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 zloty. A new series of higher quality banknotes has been gradually introduced to improve security and durability.
As mentioned, the zloty is divided into 100 groszy, comparable to one euro cent. Unlike other Eastern European countries, the small coins are still in circulation and used regularly.
Over the years, several commemorative and collector coins have been introduced, but these are not intended for everyday circulation.
A new series of completely redesigned banknotes was gradually introduced between 1994 and 2012. All banknotes are equipped with sophisticated security systems, including watermarks, relief printing and holographic security strips.
Each banknote depicts an important Polish ruler on one side and a monument or symbol related to the personage on the other. In particular:
These banknotes are not only means of payment, but also small works of art celebrating Poland’s rich history, making them particularly popular with collectors and tourists as travel souvenirs.
During your stay in Poland, keep in mind that prices are generally lower than in Western Europe. A meal in a mid-range restaurant costs around 40-60 zlotys, while a coffee is around 8-12 zlotys.
Tipping is not compulsory but is appreciated: in restaurants it is customary to leave 10-15% if the service was satisfactory.
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