Visa and Mastercard significantly raising fees in Poland: when and how much you will pay.

According to ТСН: Starting from February 2026, Visa and Mastercard operators intend to significantly raise the fees for cash withdrawals from ATMs in Poland. This will mostly affect customers using services from private networks like Euronet and Planet Cash.

Changes in Fees

According to announcements from Visa and Mastercard, cash withdrawal fees from ATMs in Poland will rise significantly. ATM users from private networks, which account for about 70% of all transactions in the country, will be the most vulnerable to these changes.

New rates will take effect from February 2026. Banks will pay approximately 3 zlotys for every 1000 zlotys for transactions with Mastercard and 2.9 zlotys with Visa. In comparison, previously the Mastercard fee was about 1.7 zlotys for 1000 zlotys, while Visa was 1.3 zlotys. This means that cash withdrawal may become more expensive for customers if banks decide to pass these additional costs onto users.

Reasons for Changes

The main reason for the changes is the update of the commission calculation model. Previously, Visa used a fixed rate of 1.3 zlotys regardless of the withdrawal amount. Next year, the fee will consist of two parts: a base rate of 1.2 zlotys and 0.17% of the transaction amount. Mastercard is implementing a similar model - a fixed part of 1.2 zlotys and 0.18% of the withdrawn amount. Thus, the larger the cash amount, the higher the fee the bank will pay.

These innovations will significantly impact operations in ATMs of private operators, who hold a leading position in Poland. A noticeable increase in costs for customers may be felt as early as the beginning of 2026.

Other Changes in Poland

Additionally, new rules for submitting documents for temporary residence permits (karte pobytu) came into effect in Poland on December 1. The main changes concern the application form, requirements for bank documents, and photographs.

The introduced changes in cash withdrawal fees may significantly affect the users' budget, especially in conditions where cash remains a popular method of payment. At the same time, the new rules regarding temporary residence indicate a continuation of the adaptation of administrative processes in Poland, which is also important for foreigners planning to stay in the country for a longer time.