Easter is just around the corner and the latest Provident Polska report offers an intriguing insight into Polish Easter traditions – whether we are painting eggs, or purchasing them and lamenting the price. Let’s take a look, shall we?

Paint the ‘pisanka’, but watch the wallet

This year, the average Polish household expects to spend around 588 PLN on Easter celebrations – a small bump of 20 PLN compared to 2024. But don't let the modest increase fool you: nearly 30% of Poles are convinced this year’s Easter will be more expensive overall.

Unsurprisingly, most are keeping an eagle eye on prices: 58.2% plan to shop more mindfully, especially younger folks. Among those aged 18–24, nearly 67% will be scrutinizing price tags, while the 25-34 crowd trails only slightly behind at 65.3%. Meanwhile, seniors (65+) seem to think, “Inflation, shm-inflation,” with planned Easter budgets soaring to 684 PLN.

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Żurek, kiełbasa, mazurek: The Holy Trinity of the Polish easter table

Eggs aren’t just food during Easter in Poland – they're practically celebrities. According to a recent survey, 85.4% of respondents said they can’t imagine Easter without them. These humble orbs reign supreme, whether they are boiled, stuffed, or even deviled – thought, I must say, that's very unholy of them on such auspicious day.

Next on the menu is the savory staple: white sausage (‘biała kiełbasa’), a must-have for 57.6% of Poles. Coming in hot (and slightly sour), żurek – a fermented rye soup – claims third place with 53.3%, proving it's officially the people’s soup, beating out barszcz biały (33.4%).

What do Poles eat for Easter dessert? It’s a tight race. The reigning queen is babka (39.2%), nudging out the longtime favorite sernik (cheesecake) at 38.7%. Makowiec (poppy seed roll) still holds ground with 29%, while mazurek, a colorful flat cake, gets a nod from every fifth respondent.

Interestingly, age shapes taste: under-35s are #TeamŻurek, while seniors remain loyal to their cheesecake.

Polish Easter traditions: Blessings and breakfast

Easter in Poland is rich with customs, though most of them seem to be mysteriously centered around food. The main event?

The Easter Sunday breakfast, celebrated in 76.3% of homes. But the magic begins on Holy Saturday with the blessing of the Easter basket (święconka), a tradition upheld by 70.2%.

Once Sunday dawns, families gather, share blessed eggs, and exchange wishes – a practice followed by 62.6% of Poles. Half the country still observes Good Friday fasting and paints their eggs with pride (around 50%).

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And battles, of the water-bending sort. Beware!

In Wielkopolska, Śmigus-Dyngus (Wet Monday) is practically a competitive sport, embraced by 57.2% compared to the national average of 46.2%. Kujawsko-Pomorskie leads in egg decorating (66.2%), while Opolskie wins in the Easter Bunny gift department, with 56.8% reporting gifts from the Easter zajączek – compared to a nationwide 30.7%. And then there are the Dziady Śmiguśne – a lesser-known but still alive tradition among 12.2% of Wielkopolska locals.

So if someone douses you with water on Easter Monday? It's cultural. Just smile it away! And then – make them pay…

Sources:

Provident Polska. (2025). Barometr Providenta: Wielkanocne wydatki Polaków 2025.