If you reside in Poland, you have heard about BLIK. It is enormously popular among Poles thanks to its convenience and efficiency. It allows users to make instant payments offline and online, cash withdrawals and deposits, and perform many other operations — all through a mobile banking app.
In 2020, BLIK was pronounced the strongest brand in the modern payment category in Poland. With the introduction of BLIK, Poland has taken a big step in the field of innovative payment solutions, positioning itself at the forefront of innovative financial technologies.
Those new to Poland need to know how the system operates. Let's fix it together in today's article. Find out what BLIK is, how to use BLIK, how to withdraw money, how to transfer money to a card with BLIK, and much more. Despite a large variety of available operations, sending money abroad via BLIK is not something you can do easily. But the solution is out there! We will share a reliable way to send money abroad using BLIK. Stay tuned to unlock the full potential of this financial tool.
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What is BLIK?
BLIK first came out in 2015, reaching one million users within six months of its launch. It was developed in cooperation between the six largest Polish banks. With BLIK, money transfers became much faster and more efficient. Today, the mobile payment system has about 14 million active users.
To use BLIK, you must be a client of a participating bank and have a mobile banking app and Internet access. Here's a list of the 18 bank members:
- Alior Bank
- Santander Bank Poland
- PKO Bank Polski
- Getin Bank
- Noble Bank
- BNP Paribas
- Bank Millennium
- Credit Agricole
- Bank Pekao S.A.
- Spółdzielcza Grupa Bankowa
- ING Bank Sląski
- BPS Bank
- Nest Bank
- EnveloBank
- Citi Handlowy
- mBank
- Bank Ochrony Środowiska S.A.
- BS Brodnica
BLIK makes shopping and other services much more accessible. You don't need physical cards or online wallets. The system allows you to perform several operations:
- Paying in physical and online stores,
- Performing contactless payments wherever Mastercard cards are accepted,
- Withdrawing and depositing cash at ATMs,
- Sending money between Polish banks using phone numbers,
- Generating BLIK checks (9-digit codes) for making payments and withdrawing cash from ATMs,
- Sending transfer requests,
- Setting up recurring payments, such as subscriptions or bills.
Note: not all partner banks support all the operations presented above. We recommend contacting your bank for details.
How to set up BLIK on your phone
First, check if BLIK is available at your bank. Suppose you are a client of a BLIK partner bank and have a mobile application on your smartphone. In that case, you do not need to worry about how to set up BLIK on your phone - you already have it available.
How to transfer money via BLIK to a card. BLIK Poland
The system provides the option of sending instant money transfers to a phone number. Neither your recipient nor you have to be clients of the same bank. Type in a number or select one from your contacts and indicate the transfer amount. Both the sender and the recipient must be members of the BLIK system - only then you'll be able to transfer money between Polish banks.
Similarly, you can send a money request; however, this option may not be available in all partner banks. Select a contact from your address book or enter a phone number and amount via mobile banking. According to BLIK, a money transfer will reach your account once the sender confirms the request.
How to transfer money via BLIK to a foreign bank card
Despite all the advantages of BLIK, money transfers commonly only have local coverage. However, if you live in Poland and are a client of BLIK's partner bank, you can send money abroad! You can do it with a Profee money transfer service. It is a safe and fast way to support loved ones in other countries. Here's why you should try Profee:
- Make transfers at a favourable rate and with a minimum commission to more than 60 countries worldwide.
- Send money quickly - transfers to bank cards reach the recipient in real time.
- Don't worry about security - Profee is a licensed European company compliant with European Union legislation.
- Different payment methods, including BLIK, for residents of Poland.
How to transfer money via BLIK to a card abroad:
- Select your destination country, currency, and transfer amount;
- Sign up on the website or app. The registration process takes no more than 10 minutes;
- Select the BLIK payment method. Profee will redirect you to the BLIK website, where you will be asked to enter a 6-digit code;
- Confirm the transfer in your mobile banking application;
- All done!
With Profee and BLIK, money transfers from Poland can be made convenient, fast, and reliable. Send transfers to family and friends in just a few taps and under favourable conditions. No commission for your first transfer from Profee, regardless of destination.
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How to use BLIK contactless payments
With some banks, you can make payments without entering a BLIK code, which allows you to pay for purchases by simply pointing your phone at the reader. Follow these steps to enable contactless payments:
- Make sure your bank offers this service.
- Select BLIK in your mobile banking or payment settings on your phone.
- Activate BLIK Contactless Payments and accept the terms.
- Turn on the NFC function - this will allow data exchange between your phone and the terminal.
Paying with BLIK Poland
Each type of transaction has its nuances. Before we move on to specific cases, learn how a regular transaction is processed:
- Select BLIK as a method of payment.
- Generate code in the mobile application.
- Enter the 6-digit code at an ATM, store, or online store.
- Confirm the operation in the app.
Online shopping with BLIK – what is it, and how does it work?
Almost all online stores provide the option of BLIK payment.
- Specify BLIK as the payment method,
- Generate a 6-digit code in the application and enter it on the website,
- Confirm the operation.
If you want to make the shopping process even faster, you can save online stores in the application as trustworthy. This way, you can carry out transactions without entering a code. Note: not all participating banks provide this service.
How to use BLIK for offline purchases
Whether it's a grocery store, a fitness centre, or any other establishment that involves offline sales, you can use BLIK. The procedure is practically the same as the one you perform online.
BLIK: how to withdraw money and deposit cash
You can withdraw and deposit cash at ATMs of partner banks, which we listed above, and at Euronet and PlanetCash terminals. It is important to remember that not all banks on the list have their ATMs. The procedure follows a familiar pattern - using a code. Keep in mind that not all terminals provide a cash deposit service.
What is a BLIK check?
BLIK checks consist of 9 digits. You can pay or withdraw cash with a predefined amount. You can use the check either yourself or by giving it to another person with a password. By the way, the person with whom you share the check is not required to have access to the BLIK system.
- Log into your bank's mobile app.
- Select the BLIK Checks option.
- Enter the desired amount and the validity of the check and confirm.
- The selected amount will be restricted until the check is used or expires.
- You can use a check to pay at an online or offline store or withdraw cash.
Conclusion
BLIK boasts a range of advantages, such as security, convenience, widespread acceptance, and integration with the banking system. With BLIK, you can quickly transfer money between Polish banks, withdraw cash without having a bank card, pay for purchases, and so much more.
While BLIK excels in domestic transactions, navigating international transfers can pose a challenge. Luckily, with Profee and BLIK, money transfers from Poland to other countries have become more manageable. Profee seamlessly integrates with BLIK, providing a hassle-free platform to support your loved ones outside of Poland. With Profee, the intricacies of international money transfers are simplified, offering users a favourable exchange rate and the added perk of zero commission on the first transfer.
Thanks to BLIK, Poland has levelled up in payment solutions. Now that you have learned how to use BLIK and transfer money to a card via BLIK, your experience with this dynamic system will be amazing. Embrace the ease, security, and efficiency of BLIK. Happy transfers!
