Polish government advises maintaining cash reserves for potential blackouts

The Polish government, through the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration, and the Government Security Centre, is advising citizens to maintain a reserve of physical cash to prepare for potential crises, such as blackouts.

Official safety guidelines suggest that during prolonged power outages caused by natural disasters or intentional actions, electronic payment terminals, ATMs, internet connectivity, and mobile networks may fail. A blackout can disrupt basic services, including heating and water supply, making cash essential for acquiring goods when digital systems are offline. The recommendation focuses on having cash in various denominations to cover at least three days of needs, rather than suggesting a mass withdrawal of all savings.

This advice aligns with observations from the European Central Bank, which notes that while electronic payments are increasingly common, cash remains a critical fail-safe during infrastructure disruptions. The importance of physical currency was highlighted by a significant energy failure on the Iberian Peninsula in 2025, which paralyzed transport, telecommunications, and retail operations.