Polish government advises keeping cash reserves for crisis preparedness

The Polish government, through the Government Security Centre and ministries including the Ministry of the Interior and Administration and the Ministry of National Defence, is advising citizens to maintain a cash reserve at home for crisis situations. Official safety guides recommend having cash in various denominations to ensure the ability to purchase essential goods during a prolonged blackout or power outage.

In the event of a widespread blackout, digital payment systems, including card terminals, ATMs, mobile banking, and internet connectivity, may become non-functional. The government suggests preparing enough supplies to function for at least three days, including water, food, medicine, and cash.

However, accessing large sums of cash from banks can present challenges. Most financial institutions require advance notice for withdrawals exceeding 20,000 PLN, typically needing one or two days' notice. Additionally, the decreasing number of physical bank branches and the shift toward cashless service points may complicate access to physical currency during emergencies.