Mobile operators

Every foreigner living permanently in Poland will find switching to a Polish phone number extremely convenient, as it is not a complicated process. First, however, you will have to choose, whether you want to pay as you go (pre-paid systems are available in many offers) or sign a phone contract with one of the four major companies: Orange, T-Mobile, Play or Plus. Both options have their advantages and can have additional bonuses such as wireless Internet access and special offers for companies.

Pre-paid system

This system is particularly handy if you do not want to feel obliged by deals with mobile operators and simply need a SIM card (a starter pack can be as cheap as PLN 5) that can be put in your mobile device. It also allows to have more control over your money, as you top up your phone account whenever you run out of means, either online or in supermarkets, newsagent’s, post offices etc.

In 2016, a law passed by the Polish government, has introduced one major change to pre-paid mobile systems. Every number acquired in this way has to be officially registered in your operators’ store. The process involves both Polish nationals as well as foreigners residing in Poland. In the latter case, you will need to bring your passport or Polish residence card to get your phone number registered.

Prices per minute call, SMS and data transmission*:

*as of January 2017. Some tariffs offer free minutes or messages to other users within the operator, but the prices above include prices to all other broadcasters.

Contract plan

Contracts for mobile services are also a popular option as users can forget about topping up their account and can benefit from being offered an attractive handset at a lower price or sometimes even for free. Please remember that as a foreigner you will need a set of documents (your passport and another document confirming your identity, preferably if applicable – residence permit, work permit or student ID).

Pay attention to what you get in your plan. Please remember that mobile operators offer now mobile Internet services, so for any foreigner it may be quite handy to kill two birds with one stone and use data transmission as well.

Subscription is primarily intended for people who talk a lot on phone and do not want to be bound by any limits.

What you get when you sign the least expensive contract (~ PLN 30) without buying a phone from Polish operators*:

*as of September 2016

Cheap international calls

If you want to stay in touch with friends or family abroad, operators’ prices may be too high to make frequent calls. Search for providers who specifically offer cheap international phone calls from Poland instead. Their pre-paid cards can be used multiple times, until the exhaustion of resources. In Poland the most popular operators offering cheap international calls are Telegrosik, Lycamobile and Klucz Mobile.

Roaming

The roaming service enables making and receiving calls, text messages and MMS messages while you are abroad. Please remember to activate it first before you leave your home country (or Poland - if you have a Polish phone number and are going abroad).

On 15 June 2017 the European Union authorities are planning on introducing the abolishment of all roaming charges within its structures. This means that EU citizens will pay the same price for mobile calls, SMS or data transfers whether they travel away from home or stay in their home country.