Money & Payments in Gdańsk (2026)

Good to know

Good to Know

Gdansk is very card-friendly; many nomads get by with minimal cash. However, carrying 100-200 PLN (€25-50) is practical for tips, small vendors, and emergencies.
Always decline 'dynamic currency conversion' or 'home currency' options at ATMs and card terminals—they add 3-4% markup. Instead select 'local currency (PLN)' for better rates.
Bank-owned ATMs are more reliable and secure than stand-alone machines scattered in tourist zones.
Debit card withdrawals incur lower fees than credit card withdrawals at ATMs.
Most restaurants and shops display card acceptance clearly. Smaller venues may accept cards but may not promote it.
Tips are not mandatory in Poland but are appreciated at restaurants (10% customary) and for service workers. Always use cash or add to card bill.

Tipping Norms

Hotel Staff: Small tips in cash appreciated but not mandatory
Taxi Drivers: Rounding up or 5-10% appreciated
Service Staff: Appreciated but optional

Restaurants

Status: customary but not required
Suggested Amount: Around 10% of bill or rounding up

Tour Guides

Status: customary for walking tours and paid experiences
Suggested Amount: 10-15% or cash donation

ATM Information

Availability: Widely available throughout Gdansk, especially in city center, shopping malls, and near bank branches
Withdrawal Limits: Typically 2,000–8,000 PLN per transaction, depending on ATM and card limits
Card Types Accepted: Visa, Mastercard widely accepted. Maestro, Plus, Cirrus sometimes accepted. American Express, JCB, Diners generally not accepted.

Fees

Notes: Some bank ATMs offer fee-free withdrawals for certain foreign cards. Non-bank ATMs typically charge higher fees. Always decline dynamic currency conversion (DCC) option to avoid markup fees.

Avoid

Euronet ATMs at airport (significantly higher fees)
Stand-alone non-bank ATMs in high-traffic tourist areas

Recommended Providers

Bank-owned ATMs (more secure than stand-alone machines)
Bank Pekao, Millennium, PKO Bank, ING, Credit Agricole, Santander

Card Acceptance

Status: widespread
Details: Visa and Mastercard widely accepted throughout Gdansk. Most restaurants, shops, and transport accept cards. Tap-to-pay and mobile payments increasingly common.

Exceptions

Small market stalls and informal vendors may be cash-only
Public toilets are typically cash-only
Some small souvenir shops

Payment Methods

Digital Wallets: Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Polish BLIK increasingly popular
Note: Gdansk is highly modern and card/contactless payment is the norm

Currency Exchange

Tips: Ensure kantors display both buy and sell rates; avoid those showing only one rate. Airport exchanges typically have less favorable rates than city center kantors.
Local Currency: Polish Zloty (PLN)
Exchange Offices: Called 'kantors' in Poland; widely available in Old Town, shopping centers, and airport
Exchange Commission: No commission charged at legitimate kantors

Banking

Currency: PLN (Polish Zloty); multi-currency accounts available at major banks.
Business Accounts: More complex; require company registration (CEIDG for sole proprietor, KRS for LLC), NIP, REGON, and often notarized translations of foreign documents. Timeline 2 weeks to 3 months.

Account Opening Foreigners

Overview: Foreigners can open personal bank accounts in Poland; process varies by bank and documentation.
Timeline: Same-day opening possible in-branch if all documents accepted. Online applications rarely available for non-residents; in-person visit typically required.
Challenges: KYC requirements tightened; some branches inexperienced with foreign clients; verification systems sometimes struggle with non-Latin characters on passports.
Residence Permit: Preferred but not always mandatory; some banks accept temporary accommodation documentation.
Documents Required: Passport (required for all foreigners; EU nationals can use national ID). Proof of address strongly recommended. PESEL number helpful but not universally required.
Non Resident Accounts: Possible with some banks using passport and proof of home-country residency or Polish PO box address.
Popular Banks For Foreigners: mBank (zero monthly fees, English app, online onboarding capabilities), ING Konto Direct (similar benefits), Millennium Bank (accepts foreigners without PESEL/residence permit), Bank Zachodni WBK (English interface available), Pekao SA (passport sufficient for many cases).

AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

Sources cited for this category

These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

More About Gdańsk

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.

Money & Payments in Gdańsk