BLIK - does it also work abroad?

Feverishly searching for cash in a shop can be annoying, not to mention the risks associated with carrying it around. Paying with a card is simpler, but it requires a PIN for larger transactions, and we don't always have it on us either. Something we always have on us is a mobile phone (what can you do, such are the times). So why not speed up and simplify the payment process using your phone? This is what BLIK The modern mobile payment system that most of us are familiar with. But can it also be used abroad?

BLIK payment - key benefits

BLIK is a tailor-made solution for the modern customer, which currently operates in the most popular banks, such as PKO Bank Polski, Alior Bank, Bank Pekao S.A., ING Bank Śląski, Bank Millennium, BZ WBK, mBank, Getin Bank and T-Mobile Usługi Bankowe, Orange Finanse, Raiffeisen Polbank and Credit Agricole. To make a payment, all you need is a smartphone with your bank's app installed and access to the internet. BLIK can be used to withdraw cash at an ATM, make an online transfer, pay for purchases in a shop or transfer funds to a phone number. As you can see, there are really a lot of applications for this system, which is why it has become so popular. Why use BLIK at all?

• availability - BLIK payments can be made at many stationary and online shops, but before making a transaction it is worth checking whether the outlet in question supports the mobile payment system. More and more retailers are offering the option to pay for purchases with BLIK, because customers expect it;
• withdraw cash quickly from an ATM - we don't always have our payment card with us when we need to use an ATM. In such a situation, we can use BLIK without stress - you just need to pay attention to the amount of the commission in your bank's fee table;
• convenience and safety - Paying with a smartphone becomes, above all, convenient and takes just a few seconds. We also do not have to worry about security, as the system only identifies the user by their login in the bank's app;
• easy approval of online transactions - As you know, BLIK authorisation requires entering a generated, one-time code, but if you add the selected e-shop to your trusted ones in your mobile application, you can skip this step. All that is required is the confirmation that the specific bank requires;
• additional discounts and interesting promotions on purchasing platforms - Popular online shops often organise special discount campaigns for customers paying with BLIK.

Can you pay with BLIK abroad?

Many users greatly value the ability to use mobile payments and cannot imagine that they would suddenly disappear from the market. But what about when you go abroad? Can BLIK be used to pay in other countries? Immediately after its launch in 2015, there was no such option - BLIK only worked in Poland. However, this payment method quickly gained recognition and started to develop. The Polish Payments Standard (owner of the BLIK system) has entered into a long-awaited partnership with Mastercard. Under the agreement, the Americans will take over part of PSP's shares, making them one of the seven equal owners of this modern mobile payment system. This means that BLIK will soon be used to pay not only in Poland, but also anywhere in the world! Mastercard will provide the new partner with a contactless payment solution, as well as access to payments in foreign online shops. BLIK can be used to make transactions at any terminal which accepts contactless payments with Mastercard cards, regardless of the country we are in.

Payments abroad - what options do we have?

We are travelling more and more often and more willingly - and not just for exotic holidays during our holidays. Before leaving, however, we wonder how to prepare for the trip in financial terms? Are we condemned to withdrawing cash in the country and exchanging it at an exchange office? The possibility of paying with BLIK abroad will solve this problem. We will be able to make every purchase with our smartphone, which will make moving around the world much easier and more pleasant. By the way, it is worth recalling what other payment options we have outside Poland. These are:

• payment by gold card - It is only useful for short trips, as every transaction involves unfavourable currency conversion - the same applies when withdrawing cash from an ATM. If you are often abroad, it is better not to use a gold card;
• payment by (multi)currency card - It is always more profitable to carry out transactions in the local currency - thus avoiding high currency conversion fees. However, it is important to remember that having a foreign currency card involves setting up a foreign currency account.

Before every trip, it is a good idea to make sure we have enough cash, which is the easiest way to control the state of our wallet. We should not rely on using the card alone, as we never know what situation we will find ourselves in abroad.