Poland is one of seven EU member states that have yet to adopt the euro. Although the country committed to introducing the common currency under its EU accession treaty, it has never taken consistent steps toward doing so, according to Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus, MEP from the New Left party. Moreover, only one in four Poles currently supports switching to the euro. The current economic situation—marked by high inflation and a growing fiscal deficit—is also not conducive to discussions about euro adoption.
“By signing the Lisbon Treaty, we essentially agreed that Poland would eventually adopt the euro. But for now, there are no plans in that direction. We need to prepare thoroughly. If the idea arises, and the decision is made after many conditions are met, then it might be possible. But at the moment, no one is talking about it,” Scheuring-Wielgus told the Newseria news agency.
The question of whether Poland should adopt the euro resurfaces periodically in public debate, but the country has never taken concrete action to move forward. Economist Professor Witold Orłowski, speaking at the national academic conference “Can Poland Refrain from Joining the Eurozone?”, noted that the primary obstacle is economic: persistently high inflation, a rising fiscal deficit, and the potential to exceed the 60% public debt-to-GDP threshold. He emphasized that Poland lacks not only the formal prerequisites but also the political and social readiness.
“Poland is not prepared. We’ve lost many years of potential preparation—years we could’ve used like Bulgaria has. We’ve done nothing since 2004 to begin the process of joining the euro. I’m not sure any government will take that step, especially with all the fake news and claims that prices will rise if we adopt the euro,” said Scheuring-Wielgus.
A survey conducted for the Warsaw Enterprise Institute (WEI) by Maison & Partners in March 2025 shows that 74% of Poles oppose adopting the euro, while only 26% are in favor. The most common concerns include fears of rising prices and a decline in living standards (51%), followed by regret over losing the national currency (26%). Nearly half of respondents (49%) see no benefits to the currency change. Supporters, on the other hand, point to the elimination of currency exchange risk (22%), easier international transactions (18%), and greater economic stability (13%).
“After the opening of borders and the introduction of the Schengen Area, Poles can travel across Europe and see how inconvenient it can be to change currencies and use exchange offices. Some people really do say we should introduce the euro,” noted the MEP.
The potential euro adoption also divides the Polish business community. A 2024 study by Grant Thornton found that 48% of CEOs of medium and large private companies in Poland would support euro adoption. This marks a decline from the early 2010s, when as many as 86% of business leaders were enthusiastic about the idea.
“I believe that if the euro were introduced with strong public communication—explaining clearly that nothing bad would happen, as nothing catastrophic occurred in other countries—then it could be done. But right now, there are absolutely no such plans,” Scheuring-Wielgus emphasized.
Poland remains outside the eurozone alongside the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Sweden, Denmark, and Bulgaria. Among these, Denmark is the only country with a legal opt-out clause and is not obligated to adopt the euro. In 2026, Bulgaria—the EU’s poorest member—will join the eurozone. Romania has announced 2029 as its target date and plans to join the Exchange Rate Mechanism II (ERM II) next year, a key preparatory step for euro adoption.
“In Bulgaria and previously in Croatia, the process wasn’t controversial. Maybe the public communication strategy there was simply better. It’s not like everyone is thrilled, but for them, it does simplify things,” said Scheuring-Wielgus.
In 2026, euro banknotes will receive a new design. The European Central Bank (ECB) selected motifs based on two themes: “European culture: shared cultural spaces” and “Rivers and birds: resilience in diversity.” As part of the first theme, notable figures such as Maria Callas, Ludwig van Beethoven, Miguel de Cervantes, Leonardo da Vinci, Bertha von Suttner, and Marie Skłodowska-Curie will appear on the notes. Initially, the ECB referred to the Polish Nobel laureate as “Marie Curie,” but Polish objections led to a correction.
“I’m very pleased that our initiative—the letter we sent to the European Central Bank—had an effect. It’s important that Maria Skłodowska-Curie is presented properly because she was proud to be Polish. I don’t know why someone at the ECB forgot this important detail, but our reaction was swift and clear. Others got involved too, but I’m truly glad that next year the €20 note will feature the image of Maria Skłodowska-Curie,” said the MEP.
