Poland currency guide: The Polish zloty (PLN)

Poland uses the zloty as its native currency. If you’re planning a trip to Poland but have never used the zloty, there’s a lot to know about this Central European country’s currency.

In this guide, we’ll cover what you need to know about Poland’s currency, including:

• The basics and history of the Polish zloty
• Tips for exchanging US dollars for zloty
• How to use money in Poland
• Where to get Polish zloty near you
• Commonly asked questions about the zloty

Note: Before making travel plans, check the US Department of State website for the latest travel advisory information.

What is the currency in Poland?

Poland’s currency, the zloty (or złoty), is coded “PLN” and symbolized as “zł.” While many Americans may be unfamiliar with it, the zloty is one of the most traded currencies in Central and Eastern Europe.

The Narodowy Bank Polski (NBP), headquartered in Warsaw, issues and manages the zloty. One zloty is subdivided into 100 groszy, and Polish coins range in value from 1 grosz to 5 zloty.

Zloty banknotes are adorned with Polish national heroes in the arts, government, or military. They come in denominations of 10 zł, 20 zł, 50 zł, 100 zł, 200 zł, and 500 zł.

History of the Polish zloty

People used the word “zloty” as early as the 14th century. However, it didn’t always relate to a specific currency. It was initially a reference to various types of gold coins. The word zloty is a derivative of “zloto,” meaning gold.

The zloty became an official unit of account in Poland in 1496. It served as Poland’s currency for much of the period between the 16th and 18th centuries, until the partitions of Poland.

In the decades that followed, important historical events—including the partitions—shaped the zloty as we know it today.

Event	When	What happened	Effect on Polish currency
Partition of Poland	18th century	Poland was divided between Russia, Prussia, and Austria.	Each occupying country introduced its own currency.
Restoration of a Polish State	1918	Poland regained its independence.	The Polish mark became the country’s official currency.
Hyperinflation	1923	Rising debt and money printing hit Poland.	The mark’s value fell drastically.
Reintroduction of the zloty	1924	The Sejm (Poland’s governing body) replaced the mark with the zloty.	A new zloty was introduced at a rate of 1 zloty to 1.8 million Polish marks.
Narodowy Bank Polski (NBP) established	1945	NBP was established as a state-owned central bank.	The NBP centralized control of the zloty.
The third zloty debuted	1950	Currency reform replaced the old zloty.	A third iteration of the zloty was introduced.
Redenomination of zloty	1995	Four zeros are removed from the value of the zloty.	Redenomination stabilized the currency and helped facilitate international trade. This led to what is often referred to as the fourth zloty.
Constitution of Poland passed	1997	A new charter for the country passed as a path toward a better future for Poland.	The NBP was granted greater independence.

 

7 tips for exchanging US dollars for zloty

When you arrive in Poland, you’ll find many places to exchange your US dollars (USD) for PLN. But not all money exchangers are the same. Each can have different policies and exchange rates.

Keep in mind these tips to help you get the best rate and terms when exchanging for Polish currency.

1. Research and compare exchange rates

Always compare rates before agreeing to any exchange transaction. Here are a few tips that can help you get a better rate when exchanging for Polish currency:

• Know the current market: Rates change daily. So, make sure you’re referencing the latest USD-to-PLN exchange rate.
• Shop around: Don’t settle for the first exchange rate you see. Instead, research several different currency exchanges and compare rates between them.
• Don’t forget about online rates: Don’t overlook online platforms like Western Union, which display current exchange rates.
• Negotiate: Depending on the exchange, you may be able to negotiate a slightly better rate if you’re exchanging a large sum of money.

2. Notify your bank ahead of traveling

Your bank is constantly monitoring your account for fraud. If it notices transactions coming from Poland without knowing that you’re in the country, there’s a chance it will flag your account as compromised. It may even freeze your ability to transact.

To avoid financial headaches while traveling, let your bank or credit card issuer know about your trip and plans to use money in Poland. You can often do this from a bank’s online platform or mobile app.

3. Avoid exchanging money at airports, hotels, and tourist areas

When you travel from the United States to Poland, you will likely fly into Warsaw or Krakow. But regardless of the airport you fly into, you should probably avoid exchanging your currency there. For all their convenience, airport money exchangers generally offer poor exchange rates on currency in Poland (and elsewhere).

You’ll likely face exorbitant exchange rates at hotels and in tourist areas also. While it’s at least typically safe to exchange your money at the airport or hotel, take care to steer clear of potentially unlicensed money exchangers in tourist areas.

4. Consider commissions and fees

Money exchangers often charge various fees, including commissions and transaction costs. When looking to exchange for Poland’s currency, make sure you understand the fees for your transaction. If possible, ask your money exchanger to list all its fees in the name of transparency.

If you have a credit card that offers fee-free foreign transactions, that can significantly reduce your costs. Also, because some fees are structured as a flat rate per transaction, it may be less costly to exchange a large amount of money at once instead of doing many smaller transactions.

Reputable providers like Western Union will be upfront and transparent about fees. That way, you know exactly how much you’re paying for your exchange ahead of time.

5. Opt to be charged in the Polish currency when withdrawing money from ATMs

When using an ATM to get money in Poland, withdraw and pay for fees in PLN so that your bank handles the transaction. Doing so will help you avoid a dynamic currency conversion (DCC) fee. A DCC is a charge applied when a merchant offers to convert a transaction into your home currency at the point of sale. Avoiding this at ATMs can help you save big on your exchange rate and is among the best ways to exchange currency.

6. Exchange money in Poland instead of the US

Most banks in the United States do not keep zloty on hand, so it’s likely not an option to exchange for zloty before your trip to Poland. Plus, US money exchangers likely won’t offer you a great exchange rate. Consequently, it’s usually best to wait until you arrive in Poland to exchange USD for PLN.

7. Use reputable exchanges

Many people exchange currency in Poland at a bank or currency exchange service known as a kantor. Banks generally have restricted hours and may require waiting to complete your transaction.

However, be wary of unlicensed or black-market money exchangers. These businesses may be illegal or fraudulent, and you likely won’t have recourse if an unlicensed money exchanger scams you.

Always opt for licensed exchange services. As a licensed money exchanger, Western Union is a great option for converting currency in Poland. With agents located across Poland and a mobile app that utilizes security features like encryption and transfer tracking, Western Union offers multiple ways to exchange your currency or send money to Poland.

Using money in Poland

You already know how to use cash, but money in Poland operates a bit differently than in other countries. Here’s what you need to know about using dollars in Poland and whether to tip service workers in zloty.

Can you use US dollars in Poland?

As the country’s national currency, the Polish zloty is accepted by every merchant and business in Poland. But there’s no guarantee that you can use your US dollars anywhere in the country, especially if you’re outside of major cities. Therefore, having dollars with you in Poland won’t help much when making payments. Carry Polish currency to ensure you can pay for everything you need while traveling.

Tipping etiquette in Poland

Tipping in Poland is more common now than it once was. The minimum wage in the country is 4,300 PLN per month, the equivalent of about 1,100 USD. Service workers making minimum wage money in Poland will appreciate gratuity for good service.

Tipping at restaurants is the most common, with a 10% to 15% tip being customary. Tipping hotel workers is also appreciated, especially since salaries aren’t very high.

You likely won’t have the option to tip with your debit or credit card. For tipping, it’s best to carry and use zloty, particularly in lower denominations.

Where to get Polish zloty near me?

There is no shortage of places to get Poland’s currency, both in the country and digitally. Currency exchanges near you in Poland will include:

• Banks
• Airports
• Kantors (local money exchangers)
• Online platforms
• Mobile apps

Additionally, Western Union has an expansive footprint of agent locations throughout Poland to help you exchange your dollars for Polish currency. Stop by one or use the Western Union^® mobile app to get zloty today.