Mobile data in Poland: eSIM, SIM, and roaming
City WiFi hotspots are free and cover most of the centre, but not everywhere. If you want full freedom (live Maps, Bolt, calls, streaming) you need mobile data. Here is a complete comparison of every option as of 2026.
Updated: 2026-04-14
TL;DR
- Short trip (1-7 days), EU citizen: your home roaming plan works for free. Don't buy anything.
- Short trip, non-EU: buy an Airalo eSIM before you land. ~$5 for 1 GB / 7 days.
- Week+, heavy data user: Holafly sells unlimited plans from around $27 for 7 days.
- One month or more: walk into a Play / Orange shop in any mall and buy a Polish prepaid (~25 zł for 30 GB / 30 days).
eSIM — the simplest option
An eSIM is a virtual SIM that you install by scanning a QR code. Nothing to insert, nothing to lose. In Kraków it works on every Polish network. Prices are usually lower than non-EU roaming and higher than a local Polish prepaid bought in a shop.
Recommended providers (affiliate links)
| Provider | Best for | Starts from |
|---|---|---|
| Airalo | Short trips, cheapest per-GB | ~$4.50 / 1 GB / 7 dni |
| Holafly | Unlimited plans, heavy use | ~$19 / 5 dni unlimited |
| Saily | Clean bundles, good support | ~$3.99 / 1 GB / 7 dni |
Buying a local SIM card
If you are staying longer than two weeks, a Polish prepaid card from Play, T-Mobile, Orange or Plus is by far the cheapest option. Starter packs cost 5-10 zł, top-ups with 30 GB / 30 days bundles run around 25-30 zł. Shops are in every large mall (Galeria Krakowska next to the train station, Bonarka, Galeria Kazimierz).
Bring your passport — since 2017 every Polish SIM must be registered to an ID document. The shop assistant will do this at the counter. It takes 5-10 minutes.
EU roaming — for EU citizens
If you have an active contract with any EU operator, it works in Poland with no surcharge under the 'roam like at home' rule. Your data, minutes and SMS allowances apply 1:1 — with two caveats: a fair-use cap (usually a few GB) and a time limit (max four months per year outside your home country). For most tourists this means zero extra cost.
Non-EU visitors
Roaming from the US, Canada, Australia, post-Brexit UK and most non-EU countries is expensive (usually $10-15 per day). For anything longer than the shortest trip, an eSIM pays for itself on day one. If you haven't picked one yet, start with Airalo — cheapest and easiest to set up.
FAQ
Does my phone support eSIM?
All iPhones from XS (2018) onwards, Pixels from 3 onwards, Samsung S20 series and later, Huawei P40 and later. In Settings look for 'Add cellular plan' or 'eSIM'.
Will it work in other EU countries?
Most regional Airalo / Holafly eSIMs cover the entire EU. Pick a 'Eurolink' or 'Europe' plan rather than only 'Poland' if you plan to visit more countries.
Best Polish network?
Play, T-Mobile (also branded Heyah), Orange and Plus have comparable coverage in Kraków and 4G+ speeds in the centre. The difference is in prepaid bundle pricing.
Do I need an ID to buy a local Polish SIM?
Yes. Since 2017 Polish law requires every SIM card to be registered to an ID (a passport is enough). The shop assistant will do it for you.