Polish households increasingly keep cash savings at home

A recent SW Research poll found that 28 % of Poles store cash at home, a practice dubbed “cash boarding”. Two‑thirds of respondents keep cash as a safeguard, with men (32.5 %) more likely than women (23.6 %) and people aged 25‑34 showing the highest propensity. Those with basic education and high earners (net income above 7,000 zł) also store cash, while low‑income respondents often report having no savings at all. Data from the National Bank of Poland show cash in circulation reached a record 443 billion zł in the second half of 2023, a 7.4 % rise year‑on‑year. Respondents cite geopolitical uncertainty and fears of electronic‑payment system failures, including cyber‑attacks, as main motivations, and experts warn the trend may intensify.

Separate expert commentary debates the future of cash in Poland. While some argue that adopting the euro could cut currency‑exchange costs and lower borrowing rates, others stress that the zloty provides monetary‑policy flexibility and resilience during crises. The discussion underscores ongoing concerns about cash security and the potential impact of a shift to a cash‑less economy.