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What currency is used in Poland

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Poland is a picturesque town famous for its medieval architecture, powdery-sand beaches and dense forests. However, it has become famous for its two cities: Warsaw and Krakow.

Moreover, the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial & Museum is one of the most visited tourist sites due to its grim distinction of being the largest concentration camp during the Nazi period. In addition, Malbork Castle, located in Gdansk in Poland, is one of the world's largest castles.

Before you visit the country, check what currency is used in Poland to plan your finances. So read on and learn more about its official currency.

History of the Polish Zloty

Zloty is the official currency of Poland and is known by PLN. It is Poland's legal tender and has a rich history like the country. 'Zloty' means 'golden' in Polish.

Till the 10th century, denar was the tangible currency that remained in circulation. The coinage had a single face value and was primarily minted from bullion in this period. However, from 1300 to the 16th century, groat was in high demand, reducing the need for a national currency across Central Europe.

However, zloty was used to refer to several foreign gold coins in the 14th and 15th centuries. Finally, in 1496, a domestic currency was introduced, and the Sejm Parliament approved Zloty.

Furthermore, Zloty remained in circulation even after Partition of Poland. On 19th November 1915, the monetary system of Congress Poland law pegged it at 15 kopeks and 1, 2, 5 and 10 zlotych coins issued from 1816 to 1855.

Polish marka, a currency equivalent to German papiermark, was introduced during WW1. However, the Ministry of Finance introduced the second Zloty in 1924, and it soon replaced marka.

Zloty began to stabilise in 1926. It was freely exchanged into gold and foreign currency up to 1933. After that, Poland introduced the third Zloty in 1950.

In 1990, the fall of Communism and hyperinflation caused redenomination of coins. Finally, in 1995, new coins and banknotes were released and featured Polish monarchs clothed in armour. In these coins, sovereigns are arranged chronologically based on the period of their reign.

On the other hand, the obverse features important objects or early coinage. Between 2013 and 2014, several additional features were added to the bank notes.

Note denominations of PLN

PLN is available in 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 zł denominations. Coins are issued in 1gr, 2gr, 5gr, 10gr, 20gr, 50gr, and 1zł, 2zł, 5zł denominations. In case the country accepts the Eurozone's common currency, notes and coins of Euro denominations will be introduced.

What countries use the Polish Zloty?

Only Poland uses Polish Zloty as its legal tender. There are several ongoing discussions about Poland's agreement regarding adopting Euro as its currency to replace Zloty.

Where can you buy PLN?

You can buy Polish Zloty from banks or bureau de change, or exchange your money at the airport.

Although these traditional methods are more common, you must be aware that these currency exchanging institutions may charge hidden fees and have fixed daily exchange rates. Therefore, even if rates improve during the day, you might have to settle for the lower one. We suggest choosing an online alternative like The Currency Club for buying your travel money.

Spending money in Poland

It is always wise to plan a budget while planning a trip to Poland. According to sources, every tourist spends around 210 zł on average.

Taxi: You can rent a cab for sightseeing. It will cost approximately 19 zł. However, intercity transportation would be around 82 zł.

Meal for two: A full meal at a mid-range restaurant will cost, on average, around 50 zł for two. Higher rated and luxury restaurants can cost significantly higher.

Hotel room: For an individual, accommodation costs will be around 119 zł for a regular budget hotel. Prices may go up with the amenities on offer.

Can you use an ATM in Poland?

Yes, you can use ATMs in Poland. They also widely accept Europay International, MasterCard, Visa, and American Express cards. However, most ATMs may not accept other cards issued abroad. Even if they do, additional charges may be applied in these cases. It is thus prudent to purchase some travel money beforehand.

Summary

Getting the local currency in a foreign country after your visit can be extremely expensive. Since you now know what currency is used in Poland, you can purchase your travel money in exchange for GBP beforehand. We at The Currency Club provide our customers with the best exchange rates, and our services are simple, secure, and completely transparent. Moreover, we espouse 40+ years of experience in retail foreign exchange market. You can go through our live interbank rates to compare us with other online services before making any transaction.

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Disclaimer

We have made every effort to ensure that the information published here is correct and accurate, however you should check and confirm the latest exchange rates with The Currency Club directly prior to making a decision. The information published is general and does not consider your personal objectives, financial situation or particular needs. Full disclaimer available

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