Payments and transfers in Polish zloty (PLN) via the BLIK app
One of the popular apps for payments and transfers in polish zloty (PLN) is BLIK. Let's find out what BLIK is, how it works and to whom it is available.
What is BLIK?
BLIK is a famous polish payment system that allows users to pay for purchases and transfer polish zloty (PLN) via a smartphone app in online and offline shops without using bank cards.
The BLIK payment system co-operates with 90% of all national banks in Poland. The payment method using BLIK is available in such mobile banks as:
- Alior Bank,
- Bank Millennium,
- mBank,
- Noble Bank,
- BNP Paribas,
- Spółdzielcza Grupa Bankowa,
- EnveloBank and several others.
Brief historical background
The BLIK platform was created in February 2015 by Polski Standard Płatności, an alliance of six central banks from Poland and a European Mobile Payment Systems Association (EMPSA) member.
This association was established back in 2013, and it included 7 payment systems from different EU countries:
- Twint (Switzerland),
- Bancontact Payconiq Company (Belgium),
- Bluecode (Germany and Austria),
- MobilePay (Denmark and Finland),
- Sibs/MB Way (Portugal),
- Swish (Sweden),
- Vipps (Norway).
EMPSA currently unites over 350 banks and 25 million users across the EU.
In 2018, Polski Standard Płatności and the international payment system Mastercard signed an agreement, thanks to which customers can now use the BLIK payment system outside Poland. In 2021, the company added the function of contactless mobile payments via the BLIK app.
Who can access BLIK payments?
To make payments via BLIK, you must be verified as a customer of partner banks connected to this system. The complete list of available banks can be found on the payment system website.
To use BLIK, you must link the application to your bank account. If you have a passport, non-residents of Poland can also open an account, provided the bank provides this service. Once the account is opened, it will be possible to make any payments in PLN using the applications of these banks and BLIK.
What transactions are available in the BLIK application?
Users can make various transactions on the BLIK mobile app or third-party banks that support this payment system:
- Payments at offline points of sale and online shops,
- Cash withdrawals and deposits via ATMs;
- Instant money transfers by phone number between clients of different banks;
- Generating BLIK-checks with a 9-digit code used to make payments and cash withdrawals;
- Sending a money transfer request for even faster payments with friends;
- Regular payments are used, for example, to pay for recurring subscriptions or utilities.
How to use BLIK?
The BLIK app is available on iOS and Android smartphones. An internet connection is required to make payment transactions.
You can pay for your purchases in any online shop that has the BLIK option available and offline points marked with the corresponding sticker. As a last resort, you can check whether the shop accepts payment via BLIK at the cash desk.
The procedure for paying with BLIK is as follows:
- If you are paying in an online shop, select the option to pay with BLIK. If you are paying in a physical shop, tell the cashier or salesperson that you wish to pay via the BLIK app;
- To pay for a product or service, you must generate a unique BLIK code in the mobile bank.
- You must only enter the generated BLIK code when paying at a terminal or on the shop's website and confirm the transaction.
Making a mobile transfer is just as easy:
- Log in to the BLIK app and select "Transfer to BLIK phone.";
- Select the user from the contact list for whom you want to make the transfer;
- Specify the purpose and amount of the transaction. There are limits for mobile transfers: up to 500 PLN per transfer and up to 1000 PLN per day;
- After entering the data, confirm the transfer, and the transaction will be completed.
Conclusion
BLIK is a convenient and simple application for instant payments and transfers in PLN for residents of Poland and other European countries. The app allows you to make contactless payments without carrying a card — all you need is a smartphone and an internet connection.
