Reduce your roaming bills by using a local SIM.
Poland is one of Europe’s top tourist destinations, with lots to see and do. Using your home phone network there can work out to be expensive, so why not try a local SIM card to reduce your bills? You can buy 1GB of data from Poland’s leading telco provider for as little as PLN10 (AUD$3.53). So, whether you’re planning a short holiday, a long trip or a tour around Europe, check out the best SIM card options available on Finder.
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Telco providers in Poland
There are five main operators in Poland: Orange, Play, Plus, T-Mobile and Aero2. All five operators have been tried and tested by both locals and travellers, and can be trusted, so you won’t go wrong with our picks. All five operators offer prepaid SIM cards, and you can buy them from stores, supermarkets, kiosks, drug stores and official outlets, as well as at Warsaw Chopin airport. Network coverage is exceptionally good across the entire country, and signals are even strong in the countryside.
About Poland’s operators
Poland’s operators offer great mobile coverage for a relatively small country, providing good 2G, 3G and 4G services on a GSM platform. You can buy a SIM card by showing your passport, and your telephone number is already active when you purchase it. To add credit, there are several prepaid card machines around various towns and cities, and vouchers are stocked in stores and supermarkets. Poland is part of the European Union (EU), which means all providers are subject to the EU roaming pact, and you will be able to use prepaid SIM cards across Europe at similar costs.
Below, we have broken down each telco provider to highlight exactly what they can offer you during your stay in Poland.
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Orange
Orange is the largest operator in Poland with the best network coverage and quickest Internet speeds. It offers customers 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE services on a GSM platform. Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased from official stores or approved resellers, and it’s a legal requirement for stores to ask for ID to officially register the number. Credit can also be purchased from the same retailers and convenience stores across the country.
There are prepaid SIM card plans available called “Yes” and “Smart” that can be purchased for PLN5 or PLN10, respectively. Both come with 1GB valid for 10 days plus the same amount of credit.
The “Orange Free na kartę” prepaid starter pack can be purchased for PLN5 and comes with 1GB, and for PLN20 you will receive 5GB of data. Both SIM cards come with the same amount of credit as originally purchased.
To activate this plan, send "FREE" in an SMS to 3033 or dial *101*40#. Dial *124*# to check your balance. Text "START" to 8002 to extend the package validity by one year, at a cost of PLN3.
The following data packs can also be added to all prepaid SIM cards:
| Top-up | Data bonus | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| PLN5 | 2.5GB | 2 days |
| PLN10 | 5GB | 5 days |
| PLN25 (or PLN30) | 15GB | 30 days |
| PLN50 | 25GB | 90 days |
| PLN100 | 50GB | 150 days |
| PLN200 | 100GB | 150 days |
The following “Elastyczny Pakiet Internetowy” Internet packages are available too:
| Price | Data | Validity | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLN3 | 3GB | 3 days | AKT3 |
| PLN5 | 5GB | 5 days | AKT5 |
| PLN7 | 7GB | 7 days | AKT7 |
| PLN10 | 10GB | 10 days | AKT10 |
| PLN30 | 30GB | 30 days | AKT30 |
| PLN50 | 50GB | 50 days | AKT50 |
| PLN100 | 100GB | 100 days | AKT100 |
Text the code in the right-hand column to 360 to activate. Text “ILE” to 360 to check your balance.
In addition, Orange offers great all-in-one packages:
| Validity | Data | Price | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 days | 15GB | PLN12 | *102*73# |
| 31 days | Depends on loyalty | PLN35 | *102*74# |
| 31 days | PLN35 | *102*75# |
Data allowances for packs of 31 days' validity and above vary, depending on your Orange loyalty:
- Up to 1 year: 15GB
- 1-3 years: 17GB
- Over 3 years: 20GB
The standard default data rate is charged at PLN0.10 per MB. The following data packs can be added to all prepaid SIM cards as well:
To activate the relevant pack, text the activation code in the right-hand column to 260.
Poland is part of the EU “Roam-Like-at-Home” pact, which means Orange SIM cards can be used in other EU countries without excessive surcharges. Check in store at time of purchase for the latest roaming deals.
Orange’s APN: internet, and website: http://www.orange.pl
Play
Play is the second-largest operator in Poland with good network coverage and fast Internet speeds. It offers customers 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE services on a GSM platform. Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased from official stores or approved resellers, and it’s a legal requirement for stores to ask for ID to officially register the number. Credit can also be purchased from the same retailers and convenience stores across the country.
“Play Internet na Kartę” prepaid SIM cards come in varying amounts, starting at PLN5. Credit can be purchased for between PLN5 and PLN150. Dial *101# to check your balance. You can also manage your accounts either online or on the Play24 app.
The “Play na Kartę” prepaid SIM card can be purchased for PLN5. Dial *163*6# to activate. The standard default data rate is charged at PLN1.20 per MB. Credit can be added in varying amounts between PLN5 and PLN100, valid for up to 150 days depending on the amount added.
The following data bonuses are added with each upload:
| Up to PLN9 | 50MB bonus | Valid for 5 days |
| Up to PLN24 | 200MB bonus | Valid for 10 days |
| Up to PLN49 | 500MB bonus | Valid for 30 days |
| Up to PLN99 | 1.5GB bonus | Valid for 100 days |
| PLN100 or more | 3.5GB bonus | Valid for 150 days |
The following monthly data packs are also available:
| PLN5: 600MB (EU roaming: 250MB) | Activation: *111*541*1# |
| PLN9: 2GB (EU roaming: 450MB) | Activation: *111*542*1# |
| PLN20: 6GB (EU roaming: 1GB) | Activation: *111*543*1# |
The “Play OdNOWA” prepaid SIM card is extremely popular in Poland and can be purchased for PLN5. All packages added to this SIM card last as long as the phone is in use, and you can switch over to the package you have purchased at any time by dialing *163*20#.
In addition, the following data packs can be added to this SIM card, and there is no expiry date:
- PLN5: 1GB (EU roaming: 0.25GB) valid forever. Activation: *111*842*1#
- PLN25: 6GB (EU roaming: 1.25GB) valid forever. Activation: *111*843*1#
Dial *180# to check your balance.
The following data-only SIM card packages are also available:
- Free: “Wypróbuj 4G/LTE Ultra” with 500MB, valid for 3 days
- PLN9: Starter 3GB with 3GB included, valid for 7 days
- PLN19: Starter 30GB with 30GB included, valid for 7 days
- PLN50: Starter 25GB with 3GB included for 1 month + 11 x 2GB per month
- PLN89: Starter 30GB + Huawei E3131 3G dongle
- PLN159: Starter 30GB + Huawei E3372h 4G speedstick
- PLN219: Starter 3GB + Huawei E5573 4G mobile Wi-Fi device
The following data amounts can also be added:
| Recharge | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| PLN5-PLN9 | 500MB | 5 days |
| PLN10-PLN19 | 3GB | 7 days |
| PLN20-PLN29 | 6GB | 14 days |
| PLN30-PLN49 | 9GB | 30 days |
| PLN50-PLN74 | 15GB | 60 days |
| PLN75-PLN99 | 30GB | 90 days |
| PLN100 | 50GB | 120 days |
The following “Play Internet na Kartę” Internet packages can also be added:
| PLN5 | “Unlimited” Internet for a day | Activation: *111*791*1# |
| PLN20 | “Unlimited” Internet for a week | Activation: *111*789*1# |
| PLN49 | “Unlimited” Internet for a month | Activation: *111*783*1# |
Poland is part of the EU “Rome-Like-at-Home” pact, which means Play SIM cards can be used in other EU countries without excessive surcharges. Check in store at time of purchase for the latest roaming deals.
Play’s APN: internet, and website: http:www.play.pl/en
Plus
Plus is the third operator in Poland with good network coverage and Internet speeds. It offers customers 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE services on both the GSM and CDMA platforms. Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased from official stores or approved resellers, and it’s a legal requirement for stores to ask for ID to officially register the number. Credit can also be purchased from the same retailers and convenience stores across the country.
Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased for PLN5. Credit can be added in varying amounts between PLN5-PLN150. To add credit vouchers, type *123*<voucher PIN>#. Dial *100# to check the balance.
The “Bez limitu” voice and data SIM card can be purchased for PLN5, and for credit amounts of PLN30 and above you will receive free domestic calls, SMS and 3GB data, valid for 5 days. These bundles can be added:
| Weekly packages | ||
| PLN8 | Free domestic calls + 500MB data | Activation: *136*11*08# |
| PLN10 | Free domestic calls + SMS + 500MB data | Activation: *136*11*09# |
| PLN13 | Free domestic calls + SMS + 3GB data + free Facebook | Activation: *136*11*10# |
| For (extra) data, you can activate | ||
| PLN3 | 500MB | Activation: *136*11*12# |
| PLN7 | 1GB | Activation: *136*11*13# |
| PLN10 | 2GB | Activation: *136*11*14# |
| Monthly packages | ||
| PLN25 | Free domestic calls + 2GB data | Activation: *136*11*03# |
| PLN29 | Free domestic calls + SMS + 6GB data + free Facebook (promotion: plus 15GB data) | Activation: *136*11*05# |
The following data bonuses can be added too:
| PLN10 | 1GB | Activation: *136*11*15# |
| PLN13 | 2GB | Activation: *136*11*16# |
In addition, there is also the “Ja Internet na kartę” data-only SIM card available:
- PLN5: 2GB for 7 days and free YouTube for 7 days, upon PLN30 top-up
- PLN15: 5GB for 14 days and 30GB for a year, upon PLN30 top-up
The flowing data packs can also be added to all prepaid SIM cards:
| Price | Data (bonus data) | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| PLN5 | 100MB (150MB) | 2 days |
| PLN10 | 1GB (1.5GB) | 7 days |
| PLN20 | 6GB (9GB) | 14 days |
| PLN30 | 10GB (15GB) | 30 days |
| PLN50 | 20GB (30GB) | 60 days |
| PLN100 | 50GB (75GB) | 120 days |
The following packages can be added too:
| Price | Data | Validity | Activation | Deactivation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLN5 | 5GB | 5 days | *121*11*05# | *121*00*05# |
| PLN25 | 25GB | 25 days | *121*11*25# | *121*00*25# |
| PLN50 | 50GB | 50 days | *121*11*50# | *121*00*50# |
| PLN100 | 100GB | 100 days | *121*11*00# | *121*00*00# |
Poland is part of the EU “Roam-Like-at-Home” pact, and the following Plus roaming packages can be purchased:
| Data | Price | Validity | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100MB | PLN9 | 7 days | *121*11*86# |
| 400MB | PLN19 | 14 days | *121*11*87# |
| 1GB | PLN39 | 30 days | *121*11*88# |
Plus APN: internet, and website: http://www.plus.pl/
T-Mobile
T-Mobile is the fourth provider in Poland. It offers customers the best network coverage and quickest Internet speeds. 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE services are offered on a GSM platform. Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased from official stores or approved resellers, and it’s a legal requirement for stores to ask for ID to officially register the number. Credit can also be purchased from the same retailers and convenience stores across the country.
Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased for PLN5 and come in the following options:
- PLN5: T-Mobile na kartę: voice and data SIM card
- PLN5: Internet na kartę: data-only SIM card, which comes with 1GB data, valid for 5 days
Credit can be purchased in varying amounts between PLN5 and PLN150. Add credit with the following number: *111*<voucher code>#. Dial *101# to check your balance.
The following voice and data SIM card packages are available:
- PLN1: "Unlimited" per day - local calls, SMS and 300MB (60MB in EU).
- PLN0.5: 300MB (30MB in EU). Activation: *140*296*3#
- PLN1: 1GB (60MB in EU). Activation: *140*296*4#
- PLN25: "Unlimited" per month, including all domestic calls, SMS and 10GB (1.26GB in EU).
- PLN5: 1GB (260MB in EU). Activation: *140*265*3#
- PLN9: 3GB (460MB in EU). Activation: *140*265*4#
- PLN12: 5GB (610MB in EU). Activation: *140*265*5#
The following data-only SIM card packages can also be purchased:
| Price | Data | EU data | Validity | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLN10 | 1GB | 510MB | 30 days | *140*702# |
| PLN15 | 2GB | 760MB | 30 days | *140*703# |
| PLN10 | 3GB | 510MB | 10 days | *140*704# |
| PLN20 | 3GB | 1.01GB | 30 days | *140*705# |
| PLN30 | 5GB | 1.51GB | 60 days | *140*706# |
| PLN50 | 12GB | 2.51GB | 60 days | *140*707# |
| PLN100 | 25GB | 5.02GB | 120 days | *140*708# |
T-Mobile also offers a number of different roaming packages that can be used throughout Europe:
| PLN2 | 50MB | 24 hours | Activation: text UE50 |
| PLN8 | 200MB | 72 hours | Activation: text UE200 |
| PLN19 | 500MB | 7 days | Activation: text UE500 |
| PLN34 | 1GB | 7 days | Activation: text UE1 |
Text activation code of the relevant pack to 80717.
T-Mobile’s APN: internet, and website: http://www.t-mobile.pl
A2mobile (Aero2)
A2mobile, or Aero2 as it is also known, is the smallest provider in Poland. It offers customers 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE services on a GSM platform. Prepaid SIM cards and credit can be purchased from various stores around the country. Make sure you take your passport with you when purchasing the SIM card, as it will have to be registered with the local authorities.
Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased for PLN10, which comes with the same amount of credit. The standard data rate is charged at PLN0.04 per MB. The following “unlimited” plans can also be purchased, and each is valid for 31 days:
Poland is part of the EU "Roam-Like-at-Home” pact, which means Aero2 SIM cards can be used in other EU countries without excessive surcharges. Check in the store at the time of purchase for the latest roaming deals.
Aero2’s APN: a2mobile.pl, and website: http://a2mobile.pl/
Some top tips from finder.com.au staff:
- The official language is Polish. In addition, most Poles speak English.
- Polish people call a SIM card a “SIM” or “chip”.
- Ask the retailer to set up the SIM for you. This will save you a lot of time and trouble, but it is also helpful to cover anything you might not understand.
- Make sure you get to the stores early before the crowds take hold.
TripAdvisor tips for the best SIM cards and where to buy them
While it’s well known for hotels, flights and holiday bookings, TripAdvisor also has many user comments that can help guide you through what SIM cards have been tried and tested in Poland.
Here are some top tips from TripAdvisor users:
“The best is T-Mobile. You can buy prepaid SIM cards at the airport; you will need to register it with your passport.”
“If you want Orange then take Orange – they share base stations with T-Mobile so the signal strength will be comparable.”
“Make sure your phones are not carrier/network locked.”
Pros and cons of Poland’s top telco providers
All networks require you to have a SIM-unlocked, GSM-compatible international phone. To double check you have this phone, contact your provider before you leave.
Pros:
- Good value for money
- Poland has good coverage
- Prepaid credit when required
- No in-store contract needed
- Could be compatible with your current phone
- Cheap handsets are sold in stores
- EU roaming options on all networks
Cons:
- No devices offered with the SIM card packages
- Can only be used on SIM-unlocked GSM phones (except with Play)
- ID and registration is required to use the SIM cards
More questions about finding the best SIM card?
Q: What about other networks operating in Poland?
A: There are other mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) operating in Poland. Redbull Mobile, Plush, nju mobile and many others offer great deals and plans that are run through the five telco providers we have mentioned above. Make sure you shop around for the best deals because they can sometimes offer better promotions than the main providers. MVNOs can be trusted in Poland.
