Cashless Poland is sending terminals to government offices. This is a clear signal.

• The Cashless Poland Foundation helps local governments implement modern payment solutions in offices.
• Deducting tax to the penny at the counter is slowly becoming a thing of the past, giving way to payment terminals and the possibility of settling liabilities via the mObywatel application.
• Tomasz Misiak, president of the Foundation, talks about the opportunities available to local government units and the plans the Foundation has for them.

Do you see any differences in the approach to the digitalization of payments in local governments?

Tomasz Misiak, president of the Cashless Poland Foundation : The approach to the digitization of payments in Polish local governments shows clear differences, which result both from local conditions and the level of openness of the authorities to innovation.

Much depends on local leadership, the level of digital competence of officials, as well as available financial resources and the level of infrastructure advancement. This diversification means that the digitization of payments is progressing unevenly in Poland , although the overall trend remains clearly upward.

The most common barriers to digitization are primarily technological and infrastructural , such as insufficient access to high-speed internet and outdated IT infrastructure in government offices, which hinders the integration of new systems. A lack of specialized IT staff , employee resistance to change, and the lack of coherent digitization strategies are also significant. Despite these challenges, initiatives such as the terminal subsidy programs and educational activities supported by the Cashless Poland Foundation play a key role in bridging these gaps and barriers, striving for the full digitization of payments nationwide.

How are local governments responding to the Foundation's initiatives? Are we already witnessing a real shift in mentality and openness to cashless payments at the local level?

- The Cashless Poland Foundation has been actively supporting public sector institutions in the digitization process and the implementation of innovative solutions in public administration and services for almost 7 years.

Under the Cashless Poland Program, offices, local government institutions, and units dependent on local governments can use payment terminals or applications to make payments on their phones free of charge.

The Foundation covers the costs of implementing payment devices and handling cashless transactions , and institutions gain the opportunity to introduce new payment standards, thanks to which they are able to provide better quality of service to residents.

To date, over 3,000 public and local government institutions have benefited from the Foundation's support, which has translated into the financing of over 17,000 terminals, of which over 8,500 have been placed directly in offices.

In 2024, 211 new public institutions joined the program. The Foundation supported the introduction of 1,181 new terminals for these institutions, with 520 devices delivered to offices. Currently, the largest number of terminals in public institutions is located in Warsaw (270) and Mińsk County (253). The highest number of terminals in the program per 1,000 residents was recorded in Hrubieszów, Lipsk, and Namysłów Counties.

We also offer financial support for online transactions - via local government portals or office websites, which includes various forms of remote transactions, enabling payments via online platforms , mobile applications and QR codes.

We also support the introduction of digital payments to new devices such as EV chargers, payment machines, recycling machines, and self-service devices, which is crucial for the implementation and development of smart cities. The Foundation co-finances the purchase and installation of payment modules in these devices, increasing the availability of cashless payment methods in public spaces (e.g., schools, community centers, libraries, and parking lots).

According to the Foundation's data, Poles are eager to use these forms of payment?

"The data confirms that we are witnessing a real shift in social attitudes. In 2024, nearly 10 million digital payments were made in the public sector, representing an increase of over 28% year-on-year. Furthermore, research shows that 73% of respondents made cashless payments in government in 2024. This is a clear signal that both offices and citizens are increasingly willing to use modern solutions ."

Electronic solutions not only make it easier for residents to manage their daily lives, but they can also positively impact revenue from fees by eliminating cancellations due to a lack of a preferred payment method. Integrating payment systems with public services—including the mObywatel app and payments on institutions' websites—significantly simplifies the daily lives of millions of Poles.

That's why the Foundation places particular emphasis on supporting the implementation of e-payments in mObywatel at local government units . This solution is one of the most important steps towards increasing convenience for citizens. This service enables quick, secure, and convenient payment of administrative fees using payment cards.

Złotoryja has piloted the option of paying via mObywatel. This seems like a milestone in settling debts?

Yes, let's note that over the last decade, Polish consumers' payment preferences have evolved towards self-service and digital payments. Adapting public services to current trends is a necessary step towards building a modern, citizen-friendly state that effectively responds to the needs of a dynamically changing society.

Implementing card payments in public administration is a response to the expectations of today's digital, mobile, and time-conscious citizenry . The mObywatel app is a perfect example of how technology can support the efficiency of public services and improve citizen comfort.

Złotoryja, in turn, is an example of a city that focuses on innovation, keeps up with the times and, above all, thinks about its inhabitants.

How would you assess the effectiveness of government programs in the area of digital transformation - such as Digital Municipality - in the context of cashless payments?

Government programs like Digital Municipality have significantly influenced the digital transformation of local governments and the development of cashless payments. Their effectiveness stemmed from building solid foundations – financing IT infrastructure, software, and cybersecurity. This allowed offices to implement e-services, in which cashless payments are a key element – and to improve the digital literacy of employees and residents.

While these programs weren't focused solely on cashless payments, they created the necessary environment for them. They contributed to increased trust in digital transactions by improving system security. Although challenges remain, such as full system integration and ensuring uniform standards, the Digital Municipality represents a key step towards the widespread digitization of public services and payments in Poland.

What steps are you taking to convince older and less tech-savvy people to switch to cashless payment methods?

"Improving digital literacy among older and tech-savvy individuals requires patience, education, and building trust. Our goal isn't to focus on complex technological aspects, but rather to demonstrate the practical benefits of cashless payments in everyday life. We emphasize that the key advantages are, above all, security, speed, and convenience."

Our activities focus on practical support and reaching out to seniors. We actively create and promote educational materials, such as the "Modern Senior - A Guide to the Digital World" guide, which is distributed to Universities of the Third Age and libraries. We also emphasize the importance of online communication, which allows seniors to stay in touch with their loved ones—a powerful motivator for them.

We're seeing that today's seniors are open to learning and recognize the benefits of the digital revolution, even though technology came into their lives later in life. This is confirmed by the fact that 71% of them enjoy learning new things. We believe that digital education is a key long-term factor in this process, allowing them to fully utilize the opportunities of the digital world.

The Foundation is also co-founding the Digital Seniors Coalition, a multi-organization effort to ensure a significant percentage of seniors actively use the internet and digital services by 2030. All of these activities are aimed at building trust and demonstrating that cashless payments are a safe and convenient tool , increasing financial independence and quality of life.

What are the Foundation's immediate strategic goals in the area of cooperation with public administration at local and central levels?

We are focused on further developing the digitization of public services, striving to make cashless payments more accessible and intuitive for citizens. We intend to actively support the development of online payments in local governments and central administration. This includes closer integration with platforms such as mObywatel and eUrząd – so that citizens can conveniently and securely settle their obligations. We want paying for public services to be as easy as shopping online.

Another important element is the implementation of digital payments on new types of devices appearing in public spaces . We're referring to electric vehicle chargers, payment machines, recycling machines, and other self-service machines – available to users 24/7. We want access to cashless transactions on these devices to be possible 24/7.

Furthermore, as part of our new strategy, we have changed the rules for supporting entities dependent on local governments, such as swimming pools, health centers, museums, and schools. This is intended to ensure universal access to cashless payments where residents most frequently use public services.

We will also continually support innovative payment solutions and the expansion of acceptance infrastructure, adapting to the dynamically changing needs of the market. Our goal is to build a modern, fully digital payments ecosystem that will benefit both the government and every citizen.

Do you see a place for fintech solutions such as open banking or biometric payments in local government public service systems?

The smart city concept assumes the careful selection of technologies in urban infrastructure, ensuring that intelligent solutions can support the achievement of the city's main goals: improving the quality and access to services, reducing city maintenance costs, and improving the quality of life for its residents. For cities and towns, ensuring an effective and easily accessible electronic payment infrastructure is fundamental to their path to innovation. Residents also expect such solutions.