Within the next five years, as many as 77% of Poles may need to finance their daily expenses using credit — according to CRIF’s Banking on Banks 2025: Financial Services in Europe on the Road to 2030 report. Nearly three-quarters of consumers say they will increasingly use Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) solutions to pay for goods and services. The growing demand for flexible financing is driven by the rising cost of living felt by Polish households. Meanwhile, 71% of Poles expect that by 2030, all aspects of personal finance — including loan applications and debt management — will take place entirely online.
By 2030, 77% of Polish consumers expect to be more dependent on credit to cover everyday spending, and 74% say they will make much greater use of BNPL services. A similar trend is observed across Europe: 81% of all respondents foresee more reliance on credit for day-to-day expenses, and 78% anticipate a sharp increase in BNPL usage.
The report Financial Services in Europe on the Road to 2030 is the second part of CRIF’s Banking on Banks 2025 study. It includes insights from 6,000 consumers in Italy, Germany, France, Poland and the United Kingdom, as well as 200 financial-sector experts from across Europe.
“Rising living costs, macroeconomic instability and geopolitical tensions are making consumers more cautious about long-term commitments. At the same time, concern for the future is growing. This is where short-term consumer credit and flexible financing tools such as Buy Now Pay Later fit in perfectly. The growing relevance of BNPL is a clear indicator of a shift toward short-term borrowing. It offers consumers a convenient way to balance household budgets in difficult times — while also giving them more control over repayment,” says Kamil Gosławski, Head of Banking & Insurance at CRIF Poland.
How Do Poles Perceive the Cost of Living in 2025?
The CRIF report identifies the areas where consumers feel the strongest financial pressure. In 2025, three in four Poles declared that they spend more on household bills than they did five years ago (compared with 64% on average across Germany, Italy, France, the UK and Poland). More than half — 56% — are paying more for petrol (48% across Europe). Meanwhile, 58% of Poles say their rent or mortgage instalments have increased — versus only 34% of all European respondents. Additionally, 44% of Poles report higher insurance costs (compared with 40% across the surveyed countries).
“In this context, it is unsurprising that nearly one in five Poles (22%) has reduced their general savings — and an identical share sets aside less money for emergencies or unexpected expenses. The rising cost burden is largely the result of increased labour and service costs. Eurostat data for 2025 clearly shows that labour costs in Poland have been growing more than twice as fast as the EU average. We are also rapidly catching up to Western Europe in service prices. This is contributing to a cumulative rise in mandatory household expenses — and therefore a stronger need for financing,” explains Gosławski.
Poles Are Preparing for the Digital Financial Future
The growing demand for credit coincides with a technological revolution in financial services. The report highlights the increasing role of digital technology in this sector: 71% of Polish consumers state that by 2030, they will manage their finances entirely online or via a mobile app. The same share expects banking, investment and insurance services to be consolidated into a single app. Meanwhile, 62% anticipate that within five years, banks will operate without direct human contact with clients.
“The future of financial services is already digital — and its influence will only grow. Poles are fully aware of this. We are witnessing a revolution that is permanently changing the way people manage their finances. Today, the smartphone is becoming the central command hub. With real-time data analytics, artificial intelligence and open banking, financial institutions can deliver highly personalised credit offerings — and processes that once took weeks will soon be completed in minutes,” says Gosławski.
Despite this awareness of the growing role of digital technologies, 60% of Poles fear that traditional banks may struggle to keep up with rapid technological change. At the same time, trust in artificial intelligence for financial advice remains limited. Only 24% of respondents would consult AI for financial guidance, and for 21%, asking an AI about personal finance is the least likely scenario.
“Artificial intelligence is still something consumers feel needs to be ‘domesticated’. At this stage, we do not yet see it as an expert that can be fully trusted. Yet AI is a vast knowledge base — and consumers are aware of that. Some are already tapping into this potential,” concludes the expert.
About the Study
The CRIF-commissioned survey was conducted by Opinium Research among 6,000 consumers across European markets (France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the United Kingdom) between 20–27 March 2025. Opinium also surveyed 200 financial services professionals — mid- and senior-level executives operating in the UK (including those serving European markets) — between 14–18 March 2025.
Source: https://ceo.com.pl/w-ciagu-najblizszych-5-lat-77-proc-polakow-bedzie-zyc-na-kredyt-10125
