Experts Warn: Store Cash Before It’s Too Late

25 June 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

Experts urge residents to keep cash in Poland after BLIK outages and cyberattacks. Prepare a small cash reserve for basic weekly needs.

Experts in banking and cyber security now tell residents to keep cash in Poland after recent payment outages. Consequently, this warning follows real incidents that disrupted card and mobile payments across the country.

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What happened in Poland — and why it matters

On 1 November 2025, the BLIK payment system failed nationwide during All Saints’ Day. The operator, Polski Standard Płatności, confirmed a DDoS attack on the clearing infrastructure. Consequently, people at cemeteries could not pay for candles and many petrol stations refused to sell fuel without cash. Moreover, attackers struck again on 3 November.

However, not every outage came from an attack. On 29 January 2026, customers of several big banks could not log into accounts. The banks blamed a telecom operator, Play, for connection problems. Therefore, the causes ranged from deliberate assaults to large infrastructure failures.

Why you should keep cash in Poland

Warsaw hosts most banks’ headquarters and data centers. Consequently, the city would feel the first shock of a targeted cyberattack. Moreover, Warsaw shows very high cashless payments and the smallest routine use of notes. Therefore, many residents carry no cash reserve.

In addition, central banks in the Netherlands and Sweden now recommend households hold a week of cash. The ECB calls banknotes a necessary redundancy. However, Polish authorities have not set a precise national amount. Nevertheless, cash in circulation in Poland is rising.

Practical steps for expats and residents

Withdraw enough cash for one week of basic spending. For one person, that usually equals 500-1500 zł. For a family of four, plan 3000-5000 zł. Consequently, withdraw in small amounts. For example, take 200-300 zł weekly with normal purchases.

Store money in several hidden places at home. Moreover, keep some near your documents and emergency kit. Use smaller notes of 50 zł and 20 zł. Therefore, shops can give change more easily during a crisis.

Do not panic or empty bank accounts. Rather, treat cash like water, a torch, or extra batteries. Also, check your reserve regularly and replace worn notes. Finally, remember that cash helps when systems fail, but banks still secure your savings.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: As an expat, carry a small cash reserve and copies of key documents. In Poland, ZUS means social security, NFZ refers to public health insurance, PESEL is your national ID number, and mandat means a fine. Keep a list of bank and embassy phone numbers. Moreover, know that many shops accept cards, but small kiosks or cemeteries may require notes. Also, ATMs (bankomaty) work across cities, but queues can form during outages.

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