Let’s discuss payment methods in Poland. As we know, in life, very few things are set in stone. But there’s this one thing that hasn’t changed for hundreds of years – payments. Or more specifically, the need to make them. In the eternal quest for customer satisfaction and due to personal preferences, we’ve seen the birth of many different payment methods.
Poland’s Top 7 Online Payment Methods
These forms of payment have become a part of daily life for the people of Poland. Allow me to explain which online payment methods are the ones Poles reach for most frequently.
1. Pay-By-Link
According to a report by the Chamber of Electronic Economy titled “Omni-commerce. I buy conveniently”, this method tops the list as the most chosen form of payment on the internet by Poles. I can tell you that 35% of survey participants said that this is their go-to form when making payments online.
The concept behind it is pretty simple. Three entities are involved: an online store, a payment gateway operator, and a bank. Imagine you’re at the checkout of an online store. You choose your payment method and are then sent a payment link that leads you to the operator’s website.
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Here’s the cool part: after you’re redirected to the selected page, you don’t have to type out all the transfer details. The system takes care of that for you. All you need to do is confirm the payment. After that’s done, you’re automatically logged out and whisked back to the store’s website.
Companies like PayU, Przelewy24, and Tpay are some of the big names offering this highly popular online payment method.
Commissions and Charges
Fees are part and parcel of any transaction. From the official PayU website, it is worth to say that a commission of 1.25% is levied for each BLIIK transaction. For other transactions, an additional fee of 0.20 units of the transaction currency is charged.
On the other hand, Przelewy24 generally charges a standard fee of 1% per transaction, unless you’re making a payment with a card. In that case, there’s an extra PLN 0.30. As for Tpay, they charge a fee of PLN 1.59% + PLN 0.39 for each transaction, and for BLIK transactions, the rate goes up to PLN 1.78% + PLN 0.39.
BLIK – A Polish Innovation
Up next is BLIK, a pretty recent kid on the block. This homegrown Polish mobile payment system only burst onto the scene in 2015. But don’t be fooled by its young age, it’s already making waves. I can tell you that a third of Poles use BLIK daily for all sorts of transactions.
You might be wondering why it’s so popular. Well, apart from its convenience, BLIK offers a wide range of options: from online payments to in-store payments, and even depositing or withdrawing cash at an ATM.
To pay with BLIK, you need to have your bank’s mobile app on your device, like a smartphone. The process is quite straightforward: you generate a six-digit BLIK code in the app and input it for whatever action you’re taking, like completing a purchase in an online store. Then you just approve the payment in the bank’s app, and you’re done!
Costs Involved with BLIK
Here’s some good news: BLIK payments are usually free for beneficiaries, unless stated otherwise in your bank account agreement.
However, businesses offering BLIK as a payment option online should brace themselves for a slight rise in commission from June 1st this year by 0.19 percentage points. It’s hard to give an exact figure for BLIK commissions due to data confidentiality, but it’s generally around 0.35%-0.5%.
Debit or Credit Card
Although the number of card transactions is dipping each yaer, due to the rise of more convenient alternatives, almost one in four users turned to their cards when making an online purchase in 2023.
It works pretty much as you’d expect. Choose this payment method in the online store, punch in your name, card number, expiry date, and the CVV/CVC code on the back of your card. Then, simply authorize the payment and you’re set.
The Cost of Card Transactions
Different payment gateways have varying fees. With PayU, they charge 1.25% + PLN 0.25 per transaction. Przelewy24’s commission for card payment sits at 1.9% + PLN 0.30, while Tpay’s standard fee is PLN 1.59% + PLN 0.39.
Cash on Delivery
Cash on delivery is a godsend for those still warming up to the idea of online shopping, or for those who are cautious about the reliability of the store. Or maybe the order value is just so high that it’s making you lose sleep.
Either way, it’s a good idea to provide this payment method. In fact, I think it’s worth saying that 18% of Poles choose cash on delivery for their online payments.
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Here’s how it works: you place your order, the seller packs it up and sends it your way via courier. When it arrives, you hand over the cash to the courier who then hands over your package. It’s as simple as that.
Cash on Delivery Charges
The cash on delivery fee varies, depending on the carrier. For instance, if you opt for this payment method with DPD, you’ll have to cough up PLN 5. However, businesses with an InPost contract can offer a delivery for a net price of PLN 1.5, or retail PLN 2.99 net. DHL charges a fee of PLN 6.50 net for cash on delivery. So, choose the one that suits your needs best.
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5. “Pay Later” Approach
Let’s talk about deferred payment, or as you might know it, “Pay Later”. As the name suggests, this online payment method lets you push back the paymnt deadline, typically by about 30 days.
During this grace period, you get the product and have to decide whether to keep it or return it. According to some data from PayPo, around 5%-10% of online shoppers in Poland go for this option.
Now you might be wondering if it’s safe for eCommerce sellers. I can tell you, it’s pretty secure. Providers of deferred payment, like Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), have stringent security measures in place. They check your creditworthiness to protect the businesses.
6. Electronic Wallets – Google Pay & Apple Pay
Did you know that about 10% of Poles use electronic wallets for online payments? That’s what a study by SW Research found, and the number of users is rising every year. Popular e-wallets in Poland include PayPal, Google Pay, HCE, and Apple Pay.
Although Google Pay and Apple Pay users aren’t the majority in Poland (around 5%-7%), it’s a group that’s worth thinking about. Many people who use mobile payment methods can’t imagine shopping without them. Plus, the growing field of eCommerce is setting new trends in online sales, with the future looking very much like mCommerce.
So, how do Google Pay and Apple Pay work? It’s pretty simple. All you need is a smartphone with NFC, either Android or iOS. You link your card to the Wallet app, and you’re all set to use your mobile wallet. While it’s free for users, entrepreneurs who accept these payment methods online need to be aware of commissions, which vary by service provider.
7. Payment in Instalments
in the past 5 years, the value of instalment payment method on the internet shot up sevenfold in Poland, according to PayU data. It’s a trend worth considering if you run an online store. That’s because offering instalment payments could increase both conversion rates and the value of purchases at checkout.
What’s great about instalment payment is that it offers comfort for customers. You don’t need to worry if you have enough in your account to complete the order. Instead, you can buy a product you otherwise couldn’t afford due to a limited budget.
And get this: the instalment system most often chosen by Poles when shopping online has an interest rate of 0%.
It’s all about convenience when shopping online. That’s why more and more Poles are beginning to trust and use new payment methods like electronic wallets, BLIK, or instalment payments.
If you’re running an online store, offering a wide range of payment methods can improve conversion rates and increase the value of purchases.
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The key is not to force customers to choose a payment method they’re not comfortable with. If they’re not happy, they might just abandon their shopping cart and head over to a competitor.
References:
- https://www.przelewy24.pl/blog/jaki-system-platnosci-online-dla-sklepu-internetowego
- https://tpay.com/blog/ulubione-metody-platnosci-online
- https://poland.payu.com/rozwiazania-platnicze/
