Poland pushes digital benefit payments while cash usage remains high amid coin shortages

Experts at the European Economic Congress argued that digitising social‑benefit transfers with prepaid cards could save Poland several billion zlotys by reducing fraud, cash‑handling costs and the grey economy. An EY report noted that social benefits total about 350 billion zł (roughly 16 % of GDP) and are rising due to programmes such as 800+ and extra pensions, putting pressure on an already high public‑finance deficit. Mastercard Europe highlighted similar digital‑payment successes in Greece, Germany, Italy and Romania.

Despite the push for digitalisation, cash remains a widely used payment method in Poland. The National Bank of Poland reported a record 443 billion zł in cash in circulation, driven in part by “cash hoarding” during periods of uncertainty. Polish law does not require sellers to provide exact change, and a lack of small coins can halt transactions, although retailers usually find ways to manage the shortage.

Together, these developments illustrate Poland’s dual challenge: encouraging digital payment solutions to improve fiscal efficiency while addressing practical cash‑availability issues that affect everyday shoppers.