PKO Bank Polski, the largest financial institution in the country, has resolved a massive outage that paralyzed access to the IKO mobile app and the iPKO online service. Simultaneously, customers of many banks are facing new restrictions introduced by the Euronet and Planet Cash ATM networks. The changes include lowering single withdrawal limits and modifications to the BLIK system, forcing customers to use alternative methods to access cash.
Paralysis of PKO BP Systems
Poland's largest bank experienced a multi-hour outage of its mobile app and transactional service, preventing customers from accessing their accounts.
New Cash Withdrawal Limits
The Euronet and Planet Cash networks have lowered single withdrawal amounts, forcing users to use the devices more frequently.
Alternative in Retail
Growing popularity of cash withdrawal services in stores (e.g., Żabka) as a way to bypass ATM restrictions.
Polish banking has come under the spotlight due to two overlapping phenomena: serious technical problems at the market leader and systemic changes in access to cash. On Thursday, February 26, 2026, customers of PKO Bank Polski reported for nearly the entire day being unable to use the IKO mobile banking app and the iPKO online service. The problems also affected the helpline and the execution of transfers, sparking a wave of criticism from those cut off from their funds. The bank officially apologized for the disruptions, informing in the evening that full system functionality had been restored. Concurrently, the payments industry is implementing significant changes in cash transaction handling. The Euronet and Planet Cash networks have introduced new, lower single cash withdrawal limits, typically at 800 or 1000 złoty. These decisions are motivated by the high costs of ATM maintenance coupled with the low level of interchange fees operators receive from banks. These restrictions particularly affect transactions made with payment cards, but the changes also impact users of the BLIK system. Since 2020, Poland has seen a consistent policy of limiting single withdrawals from non-bank ATMs, resulting from rising energy and service costs while interbank fees remain frozen. In response to the tightening policies of ATM operators, experts point to the growing role of the cash back service, available among other places at Żabka stores. It allows bypassing queues at machines and often is not burdened with such low limits as traditional ATMs. Some banks, like ING Bank Śląski, have also begun communicating planned technical breaks at the turn of February and March, suggesting a period of intensified work on payment infrastructure across the entire sector. This situation forces consumers to be more flexible and to use cashless payments more frequently. „Bardzo przepraszamy za dzisiejsze utrudnienia. Systemy IKO i iPKO działają już poprawnie.” (We sincerely apologize for today's disruptions. The IKO and iPKO systems are now functioning correctly.) — PKO BP Statement From a market perspective, the new ATM limits are part of a broader phenomenon known as the cash war. Independent operators are fighting for profitability, shifting costs onto customers through fees for more frequent, smaller withdrawals. To avoid additional charges, customers are increasingly seeking solutions in retail outlets, which is changing the payment habits of Poles. Experts forecast that this trend will continue in 2026, and further lowering limits in standalone devices will become a market standard.
Perspektywy mediów: Liberal media emphasize the need for system modernization and promote cashless transactions as a safer alternative to traditional money. Conservative media warn of digital exclusion and the restriction of civil liberties by hindering access to physical cash.