5 PLN for withdrawal from the ATM: No more free access to cash?

PLN 5 – that's what a single cash withdrawal from an ATM can cost, even 1 belonging to its own bank. This is the consequence of the expanding number of changes in the fee and commission tables that banks in Poland make in consequence to decrease in the number of cash transactions, inflation and increase in maintenance costs of ATM infrastructure.

Retail banks They are increasingly giving up offering free withdrawals, which was a standard a fewer years ago. Today, fees for:

• withdrawals from foreign ATMs,
• payments below the specified amount,
• payments after exceeding the monthly limit of free transactions,
• or even each single payment, regardless of the amount and number.

Who's already introduced the fees?

Among the banks that have already implemented or announced changes are:

• Post Bank, which since June 2025 introduced a fee of PLN 5 for each withdrawal from an ATM own and foreignif the conditions of client activity are not met.
• mBank – introduced restrictions on only the first 3 withdrawals per period are freeAnd each 1 costs PLN 2,50.
• ING Bank of Silesia – keeps free withdrawals from your own ATMs, but you can pay for the withdrawal from a abroad ATM up to 7 PLNif you do not have a suitable package.

It is worth noting that for many customers who pay small amounts (e.g. PLN 20–50), commission of PLN 5 means de facto 10–25% "cash charges"which importantly reduces the cost-effectiveness of utilizing ATMs.

Why the change? Explanation of context

From the position of the banking sector, these changes are a consequence to respective phenomena:

1. Falling number of cash withdrawals – According to the National Bank of Poland, in 2024 the number of cash transactions at ATMs decreased by over 15% compared to 2022.
2. Increasing infrastructure maintenance costs – banks must cover maintenance, safety and power costs of ATMs. With a decreasing number of operations, the unit cost of payment increases.
3. Promotion of non-cash transactions – banks and regulators advance card and BLIK payments as safer and cheaper. alternatively of investing in cash, banks make mobile apps and digital wallets.

From an economical point of view, ATMs become an unprofitable asset, whose maintenance generates losses. Therefore, financial institutions are looking for a way to compensation or discourage customers from utilizing cash.

How do banks effort to justify fresh charges?

In their communications, banks indicate that:

• “Free withdrawals are only available to active customers”, i.e. those who make regular receipts, payments by card or meet certain account conditions.
• Fees to encourage the usage of modern payment methods, according to the direction of the improvement of the digitalisation of banking.
• Operating costs for cash withdrawals are ‘uneconomically balanced’ on the current ATM usage scale.

Potential consequences for customers

Introduction cash withdrawal fees There are a number of consequences:

• Obstruction of access to cash for older people who do not have a smartphone or trust in electronic banking.
• Additional costs for low-income customerswho do not meet the conditions for exemption from fees.
• Possible Change in financial habits, e.g. reducing the number of payments or switching to digital payments.
• Increased interest in services Cooperative bankswhich frequently offer more conventional terms of use.

According to analysts, this can besides lead to loss of assurance in the banking sectorif customers feel compelled to bear additional, unforeseeable costs.

What can customers do?

In current situations, consumers should pay attention to a number of elements:

1. Check account terms – are free withdrawals available? How many do they have?
2. Consider a changing bank – banks compete for customers and there are inactive free offers.
3. Use cashback – cash withdrawal can be free and more accessible erstwhile shopping.
4. Consider utilizing BLIC – many ATMs support withdrawals without card or commission (at certain limits).
5. Track changes in fee tables – banks are required to inform about changes 2 months in advance, but many customers ignore them.

Will fees increase?

Forecasts indicate The trend of rising cash charges will persist. Experts point out that:

• Poland is moving towards Non-cash societyAnd the banks want to velocity up the process.
• In Scandinavian countries present over 90% of transactions is done without cash.
• Model of payment fees it can become a standard – as before accounts or debit cards.

As a consequence cash ceases to be free, and the cost of utilizing it begins to be clearly felt – especially for those who usage it occasionally or in tiny amounts.