Mastercard: Poles love contactless payments

“MASTERINDEX 2017: Pan-European e-commerce and new payment trends” report, prepared by global financial services corporation Mastercard, has just been revealed to the public. The document highlights the findings of European research into consumer behaviour regarding online shopping and the use of payment cards. According to the findings, Poland dominates in the area of contactless technology.

The Masterindex report for 2017 covers 23 countries from Europe and their inhabitants who hold payment cards and bank accounts. The researchers looked into such areas as purchase frequency, types of purchased products, cross-border internet shopping, and payment methods. The results of surveys and studies show overall shopping and payment trends across Europe and in particular countries.

As to Poland, the country shines in the field of contactless payments. Apparently, Poles got very fond of the contactless technology, even though this payment method has been introduced only recently. As much as 90% of bank cards in the hands of Poles are contactless enabled. Interestingly, the average for Europe is much lower: only 45%. In some countries, such as Germany, the technology has not been successfully introduced yet, as no more than 10% of cards are contactless. No wonder consumers in Poland carry out contactless payments 20 times more often than their counterparts in Germany.

Polish people also top the ranks of the nations engaged in e-commerce on a daily basis (on par with Lithuanians), although they are not very likely, compared to other Europeans, to book hotel accommodation online or shop cross-border. Two out of five people reported they have never made a purchase on another country’s website. A language barrier may be an important factor here. As to paying online, Poles are more keen to use e-banking rather than payment cards. Three times more consumers log on to their bank than provide card details.

9 out of 10 Europeans shop online at least once a year and 25% do this on a weekly basis. E-commerce numbers are growing all across the continent and will continue to increase in the foreseeable future.

Implications for Banking and Business

Developments in the Polish banking sector affect businesses operating in the country in several ways. Access to corporate banking services, credit availability, deposit rates, and payment infrastructure are all critical factors for companies — whether established Polish firms or foreign-owned entities entering the market.

For foreign entrepreneurs setting up operations in Poland, choosing the right banking partner is a strategic decision. Major Polish banks including mBank, ING Bank Śląski, Bank Millennium, PKO BP, and Santander Poland offer varying levels of service for international clients, including English-language online banking, multicurrency accounts, and dedicated relationship managers for corporate clients.

The Polish banking market is well-regulated by the KNF (Financial Supervision Authority) and participates in the EU deposit guarantee scheme (BFG — Bank Guarantee Fund), providing deposit protection up to EUR 100,000 per depositor per institution. This regulatory framework provides stability and confidence for businesses maintaining corporate funds in Polish banks.

If you are doing business in Poland or considering entering the Polish market, Zalewski Consulting can help. Learn more about our bank account opening services, or contact us for a free consultation.