Imagine this – You’re visiting Szczecin, a bustling city near the Polish border, and you decide to make a quick stop at a local supermarket. Here’s a handy tip for you – many chain stores such as Auchan, Bi1, Carrefour, and Media Markt actually accept payment not just in zlotys, the national currency, but also in euros.
Now, this doesn’t come without a bit of a caveat. You see, each of these supermarkets sets their own exchange rate, and they can differ quite a bit. Picture it – you walk into Carrefour on a day when the average euro exchange rate is 4.79 PLN, only to discover that their rate is slightly higher – 4.99. At Auchan, it drops to 4.61, and in Media Markt, it’s even lower at 4.59.
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The Euro Payments in Poland
I think it’s worth noting that these supermarkets make a big deal out of accepting euros. When I asked a salesperson at Media Markt why that was, she told me it’s because a lot of their shoppers are Germans who find it more profitable to shop in Poland despite the low exchange rate. And when I questioned her about why the signs advertising euro payments were only in Polish, she explained that these are often Polish Germans who grew up in the country, and still understand the language.
Moving on to Carrefour at the Molo shopping center in Szczecin, the situation is somewhat different. I found that their exchange rate matches the rate offered at a nearby currency exchange office, and their information about euro payments is available in both Polish and English.
Understanding the Nuances
I believe it’s important to point out that paying with euros might not be everyone’s cup of tea. First off, these stores generally only accept euro banknotes, and secondly, your change will always be given back in zlotys. If you need to spend some change, this might not be the most convnient way.
In terms of the exchange rate disparities, it’s interesting. Most shop assistants shy away from discussing the topic, while some hint that „the shop must pay off”, indicating that the higher exchange rates could be a way for the store to make a profit.
Making Euro Payments at Lidl? Yes, But There’s a Catch
Did you know that you can even use euros to pay for your groceries at select Lidl stores? However, let me say that this is mostly the case only in border towns.
Picture this, you’re in one of these towns – Kostrzyn, Słubice, Zgorzelec, Bogatynia, Gubin, Szklarska Poręba, Suwałki, Świnoujście, Kołobrzeg, Międzyzdroje or Kamień Pomorski. Here, you can freely use your euros at the local Lidl store. What’s more, Lidl’s communication manager assures that their exchange rates are transparent and based on the average rate announced by the National Bank of Poland on the previous workday.
Between Law and Reality – Euro in Poland
Poland, upon joining the European Union, promised that one day the zloty would be replaced with the euro. So far, though, it hasn’t happened and doesn’t seem likely to happen in the immediate future. I can tell you, however, that paying in euros has been a possibility in Poland since 2004, but not everywhere.
This is where the rubber meets the road – while legally you can pay in euros, you’ll find this isn’t the case in small private shops or bazaars. Now, if you’re thinking of larger establishments like Biedronka, Auchan or even gas stations like Orlen, Lotos, Circle K, or BP, these usually accept euros without any issue.
However, I am sure that just because you can pay with euros, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you should. In most cases, the exchange rate you get at the counter won’t be as favorable as at an exchange office. Plus, remember, your change will be given in zlotys, possibly at a less favorable exchange rate.
Where You Can Use Euros in Poland
I know, you might be wondering where exactly in Poland you can use your euros. Let’s say, for instance, you find yourself in one of these towns – Zakopane, Kołobrzeg, or Kraków. These towns, along with about 200 other locations, mostly border towns, and a few in Szczecin, have Biedronka stores that accept euro payments.
The exchange rate here is based on the euro buying rate at the bank servicing Biedronka, which is updated daily. Finally, you might find it interesting to know that some chains, like Auchan, plan to expand their euro payment option to more stores. I’ve been informed that currently, 63 Auchan hypermarkets accept euro banknotes and they plan to introduce this service in the remaining 11 stores soon.
References:
- https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/carry/using-euro/index_pl.htm
