Find the best ways to transfer money to Poland

The current average USD to PLN rate is 4.0128.

But over the past three months, it’s been as high as 4.1665.

If you're not in a rush, you might benefit from waiting a day or two; even a small difference in exchange rate can mean more złotys for your recipient.

But if timing is tight, Wise has consistently offered top rates for sending PLN.

Let’s break it down with a $2,000 USD example:

• Bank transfer via Revolut: with $0 and only 0.2% markup

• Debit card through Wise: about $13.24 in fees + markup

• Credit card via : costs around $0 + markup and the potential cash advance fees

If you're funding from your bank account, you’ll usually get the best deal.

Credit cards are fastest, but most expensive.

Debit cards fall somewhere in between, good for speed, but not always great for cost.

SWIFT transfers to Poland? Best to avoid.

They’re slow, costly, and often include surprise intermediary fees.

Choose providers that use local rails or SEPA-compatible systems instead.

You’ve got a few solid options when sending money to Poland, and the best one often depends on how the recipient wants to receive it.

Bank account transfers

The most popular and efficient method.

Revolut ranks as one of the most affordable options for direct PLN deposits according to our users.

Polish banks like PKO BP, mBank, ING, and Santander support fast inbound transfers, and local networks like Elixir mean money usually arrives within hours (or next business day at the latest).

Cash pickup

Available across the country via Western Union, and MoneyGram.

This is a solid option for recipients who don’t use a bank account, though it’s less common today.

Mobile wallets & challenger banks

PayPal and Payoneer are available in Poland, though they’re not always the cheapest option, especially for currency conversion.

Revolut on the other hand is widely used, particularly by students, freelancers, and younger expats. It offers both PLN and multi-currency wallets, with quick transfers from abroad.

Local services

While BLIK is not used for receiving money directly from abroad, many locals use it to access or spend funds once they hit a PLN bank account.

Transfer limits apply to most providers, both minimum and maximum.

But here’s the key: large transfers often get you a better deal on rates and fees.

If you're sending a sizable amount (say, over $10,000 USD), Revolut is one of the strongest performers based on fees and rate consistency.

For transfers of that size, expect to submit documents like proof of funds (bank statements, salary slips) or proof of address, especially under Poland’s AML rules.

If you’re planning ahead, bank transfer deposits are the cheapest.

But if someone needs PLN today? That changes everything.

Here’s how the timing breaks down:

• Fastest provider: Ria Money Transfer, based on search data

• Bank transfers: Xoom — often completed in 1–2 business days

• Debit card transfers: Xe — faster, but more expensive

• Cash pickups: Almost instant with services like MoneyGram or Western Union

Most transfers to Polish bank accounts are delivered automatically, no extra steps needed.

But in some cases (especially with cash pickups or large transfers), the recipient may need:

• A valid Polish national ID, passport, or driver’s license

• The sender’s name and address

• The transfer amount in PLN

• A transfer confirmation or tracking number

For high-value transfers, providers may ask for:

• Proof of address (utility bill, rental agreement)

• Proof of source of funds (bank statements, income verification)

These checks are standard under Poland’s AML (Anti-Money Laundering) regulations and apply to most regulated providers.

There are no legal limits on how much money you can send to Poland and generally, money received as income that you've already paid tax on in another country is usually not taxed again in Poland.

But it's a good idea to consult a financial adviser in your country or Poland if you need more details.