The currency of Poland is the Polish zloty, abbreviated as PLN and written with the symbol zł. Each zloty divides into 100 smaller units called grosze (a single one is a grosz). The word "zloty" literally means "golden," a nod to the gold coins that once circulated across medieval Poland. As of 2026, one US dollar is worth roughly 4 zlotys and one euro around 4.3 zlotys, though exchange rates shift daily. Poland uses the zloty exclusively and has not adopted the euro, making it the largest member of the European Union still operating its own national currency.
Who issues the zloty?
The zloty is issued and managed by the National Bank of Poland (Narodowy Bank Polski, or NBP), the country's central bank, headquartered in Warsaw. The NBP holds the sole legal right to print banknotes and mint coins, and it sets monetary policy through its Monetary Policy Council. Its primary mandate is price stability, and over the past three decades it has steered the zloty from a chaotic post-communist currency into one of the more stable units in Central Europe. The bank also manages Poland's foreign reserves and acts as lender of last resort to the domestic banking system.
Banknotes and coins in circulation
Polish cash comes in a tidy, easy-to-recognize set. The banknotes form a chronological gallery of the nation's early rulers, beginning with the 10th-century founder of the Polish state and progressing forward through the centuries:
- 10 zł — brown, featuring Duke Mieszko I
- 20 zł — purple, featuring King Bolesław I the Brave
- 50 zł — blue, featuring King Kazimierz III the Great
- 100 zł — green, featuring King Władysław II Jagiełło
- 200 zł — yellow, featuring King Zygmunt I the Old
- 500 zł — blue, featuring King Jan III Sobieski
Coins circulate in grosze denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50, plus 1, 2 and 5 zloty coins. The smallest copper grosze are increasingly rare in everyday use, and many shops round cash totals to the nearest few grosze. The 500 zł note, introduced in 2017, is the highest value and is far less common in daily transactions than the workhorse 50 and 100 zł notes.
A currency reborn in 1995
The modern zloty you handle today is technically the "new zloty." After the fall of communism in 1989, Poland endured a stretch of severe inflation that left prices quoted in the millions. To restore confidence, the government carried out a redenomination on 1 January 1995, lopping four zeros off the old currency at a rate of 10,000 old zlotys to 1 new zloty. Overnight, a 10,000-zloty note effectively became a single zloty. The reform was a clean success: the new zloty held its value, and Poland's economy went on to post one of the longest uninterrupted growth runs in Europe, avoiding recession even during downturns that hit much of the continent. For more on the country itself, see our poland country guide.
Will Poland switch to the euro?
When Poland joined the European Union in 2004, it formally committed to adopting the euro at some future point. More than two decades later, no target date has been set. There are both economic conditions to meet and political will to muster, and public opinion in Poland has remained lukewarm about giving up the zloty. Many Poles see their currency as a symbol of national sovereignty and point to the flexibility an independent currency gave them during economic shocks. For the foreseeable future, the zloty remains firmly in place, and travelers should plan to use it rather than expect euros to be accepted.
Tips for travelers using the zloty
Poland is one of the better-value destinations in Europe, with prices noticeably lower than in Western European capitals. A few practical pointers:
- Card payments are accepted almost everywhere in cities, including contactless and mobile wallets, but keep some cash for markets, rural areas and trams.
- Exchange money at a kantor (a private exchange bureau) in the city center for the best rates; avoid airport counters and hotel desks, which charge steep margins.
- Withdraw cash from bank-operated ATMs and decline the "conversion to your home currency" option, which buries a poor exchange rate.
- Tipping around 10 percent is customary in restaurants, though it is not obligatory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the symbol for the Polish zloty?
The zloty is written with the symbol zł, placed after the amount (for example, 50 zł). Its three-letter international currency code is PLN.
Does Poland use the euro?
No. Poland uses only the zloty. Although it is an EU member and is theoretically obligated to adopt the euro eventually, no date has been agreed, and the zloty remains the sole legal tender.
How many grosze are in a zloty?
One zloty is divided into 100 grosze. The singular form is grosz, and coins exist in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 grosze.
Can I pay in US dollars or euros in Poland?
Generally no. Most shops, restaurants and transport require payment in zlotys. A handful of tourist-oriented businesses may accept euros, but usually at an unfavorable rate, so it is best to carry zlotys or pay by card.