What is BLIK?
Author: Domeny.ForSale editorial team Published
In brief: BLIK is a payment system available in the apps of banks that support it. Among other things, it lets you pay in shops and online, withdraw cash from ATMs and send transfers to a phone number. When paying with a code, you enter six digits, then check the details and approve the transaction in your banking app.
How does BLIK work, and what do you need?
BLIK is not a separate account or an app you need to install. You use it within your bank’s app, and for a typical payment, the money is taken from the linked account. You need an account with a bank that supports BLIK, an active mobile banking app and internet access for transactions that require communication with the bank.
Its best-known feature is the BLIK code, a six-digit code generated in the banking app. It is valid for two minutes. Generating a code does not itself mean money is taken: for a standard code-based payment, you still need to approve the transaction in the app.
Different banks may offer different BLIK features and apply different limits. Check your bank’s official instructions for the availability of contactless payments, transfers to phone numbers, withdrawals and other services. Do not assume that every feature available to a friend will also be available on your account.
How do you pay with a code in a shop or online?
In a physical shop, tell the seller that you want to pay with BLIK. Online, select BLIK from the available payment methods. The remaining steps are similar:
- Open your bank’s app and generate a BLIK code.
- Enter the six digits on the payment terminal or payment page.
- Return to the banking app and read the transaction details.
- Check the amount and transaction type, and only then approve it.
- Wait for the shop to confirm the payment.
Example: you are buying a book for PLN 49. After you enter the code, the app should show a payment for that amount. If you see an ATM withdrawal or a different amount instead, reject the transaction — a matching code alone is not a reason to approve it.
Some shops and banks allow subsequent payments without re-entering a code once you have saved the browser or shop as trusted. Contactless BLIK is also available: you pay by holding a suitably configured phone against the terminal, without entering six digits. Check the device, operating system and activation requirements for this feature with your bank.
Transfers to phone numbers and ATM withdrawals
BLIK transfers to phone numbers let you identify the recipient by their phone number rather than their bank account number. To receive these transfers, the recipient must register their number for the service with a bank that supports it. The money goes to the account linked to that number, not “to the phone” in the sense of a mobile top-up.
Before sending a transfer, check the number and the details displayed by the app. This is particularly important when selecting a contact from your address book: a saved name does not guarantee that the number still belongs to the same person. Do not treat an approved transfer as a transaction you can freely reverse; report any mistake to your bank immediately.
At an ATM that supports BLIK, select a cardless withdrawal, enter the generated code and approve the transaction in the app. Before approving it, check the amount and make sure you really are authorising your own withdrawal. The fee may depend on your account and the ATM network you use.
Is BLIK free, and what limits apply?
There is no single answer covering the cost of all BLIK transactions. Fees depend on the bank, account type and transaction. Check the current schedule of fees and charges, especially before withdrawing cash from an ATM — not using a card does not automatically mean there is no fee.
Your bank may set limits on individual transactions, daily amounts or the number of transactions. Some limits can be changed in the app or through online banking. If a payment is declined, check your balance, whether the code is still valid and the relevant limit, rather than repeatedly approving further attempts.
How can you recognise a BLIK scam?
A typical scenario begins with a message from someone claiming to be a friend, urgently asking you for a code. The scammer may be using a compromised messaging account and may use the code you provide to withdraw money. They then rely on you approving the transaction without reading its details.
Do not share codes with people asking for money in a message. First, call your friend on a number you already know. To receive a standard BLIK transfer to your phone number, you do not need to generate a code or approve a withdrawal. A buyer asking you to do this is a warning sign.
If you suspect fraud or approve a transaction that is not yours, contact your bank immediately through its official channel and report the incident. Do not assume that the money will be refunded automatically; this explanation does not determine liability in any particular case.
Before using BLIK for the first time, check the BLIK limits in the app and the fees applicable to your account. Read the confirmation screen every time you authorise a transaction — this is the point at which you may notice that you are approving something other than the transaction you intended.
See also: What is OpenRouter?
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