Cards are increasingly replacing cash, even when travelling abroad. In Poland, this practice is now almost universal: in the fourth quarter of 2025, contactless transactions accounted for 98.1 per cent of all non-cash card payments.
Abroad, however, convenience does not automatically mean low costs. The final amount depends not so much on whether the card is a debit, credit or multi-currency card, but rather on the exchange rate applied by the bank, the commission for the overseas transaction and the currency in which the purchase was settled.
A card linked to a zloty account may trigger a single- or multi-stage currency conversion. A foreign currency account or a multi-currency card limits this risk, but only if the customer has funds in the relevant currency and is familiar with their bank’s settlement rules. The ‘multi-currency’ label alone does not guarantee the cheapest payment.
DCC – the option to pay abroad in zlotys – requires the greatest caution. This solution displays the final amount immediately, but the exchange rate is set by the terminal or ATM operator. Visa points out that such conversions usually include an additional mark-up and recommends choosing the local currency. EU regulations, however, require customers to be clearly informed about the exchange rate and the costs of currency conversion.
ATMs are a separate source of charges. In addition to the bank’s commission, there may be a fee charged by the machine operator and a currency conversion cost. It is therefore worth checking the full amount before confirming a withdrawal and rejecting the option to settle in zlotys if the exchange rate is unfavourable.
“eService has been supporting secure and convenient payments for years – not only in Poland, but also in the 12 countries where our terminals operate. Our aim is to ensure that, regardless of where they are, payment card users have access to fast, modern and beneficial solutions; that is why we are constantly developing our terminals and systems so that they offer the option to use all popular payment methods and additional services that make life easier for both merchants and shoppers,” says Zdzisław Mikłaszewicz, General Manager of EVO Payments Czech Republic and Director of the Strategy and Commercialisation Office at eService.
The simplest rule for the 2026 season remains the same: before you travel, it’s worth checking the fee schedule, exchange rates and rules for ATM withdrawals, and when using a terminal, you should usually select the currency of the country where the purchase is being made.
