Understanding BLIK Payments

Please note that some of the information about BLIK in this article was sourced from its official website on 24th April 2025. This information is subject to change.

Unless you’re living in Poland, or involved in the world of fintech payment solutions, you probably won’t have heard of BLIK.

However, the Poland-based payment network, founded in 2015, has nearly 17 million users and processed 2.4 billion transactions in 2024, indicating a strong and growing position in the mobile payment market.

So, we’re exploring BLIK further, understanding where and how to use BLIK, its key features and potential alternatives for businesses who want to start selling beyond Poland.

What is BLIK?

BLIK is a mobile payment system developed in Poland that allows users to make secure transactions through a unique six-digit code generated within their mobile banking app.

This service is supported by prominent Polish banks and enables customers to make payments quickly and easily within Poland, both online and in-store. It also facilitates ATM withdrawals and sending money to phones, all without the need for a physical card.

Let’s look at how to pay with BLIK.

How does BLIK work?

The BLIK payment system works with a unique 6-digit one-time code, which users generate in their banking apps. The BLIK codes are valid for 2 minutes.

To accept BLIK payments, businesses need a merchant account with a payment processor or bank that supports BLIK. The payment service provider (PSP) will manage the technical integration, merchant agreements, and security standards.

As well as a smartphone and internet access, to pay with BLIK users must have a mobile banking app (and be registered for mobile banking) from one of the participating Polish banks. The software needed to generate the codes exists within the banking apps and doesn’t require any specific installation.

After obtaining the code, the process is streamlined, easy and fast.

How to use BLIK payments:

1. Make a Payment: For BLIK payments online, customers enter the six-digit code at checkout. For in-store transactions, customers can either share the BLIK code with the cashier or input it directly into a payment terminal.
2. Transaction Completion: Once the code is entered, the transaction is confirmed via the banking app, securely and instantly transferring funds from the customer's bank account to the merchant’s account.
3. Security Features: The BLIK payment method uses authentication protocols such as PIN codes or biometric verification (e.g., fingerprint scanning) to enhance user security and reduce fraud risk.

N.B. While BLIK itself has robust security measures, there were several cases of BLIK codes being fraudulently obtained to facilitate ATM cash withdrawals. By hacking social media channels, fraudsters contacted victims' friends/families and requested to borrow money using BLIK codes.

Benefits of using BLIK

• Instant transactions: Payments are processed in real-time, directly from the customer's bank account, both reducing queue times and simplifying business cash management.
• Country-wide coverage: Supported by 20 major Polish banks, ensuring broad customer reach.
• Low Transaction Fees: Lower fees compared to traditional card payments, reducing operational costs.
• Enhanced Security: One-time identifier codes and app confirmations (bank level security, with PINs, passcodes or biometrics) reduce the risk of fraud and chargebacks.
• Versatile Payment Options: Supports online payments, in-store transactions, and ATM withdrawals, as well as advanced payment options like recurring billing and deferred payments–ideal for subscription-based services.
• E-commerce integration: Easily integrated into online payment systems and compatible with various platforms, making it ideal for e-commerce businesses.
• Expansion into New Markets: BLIK is expanding into other European countries, such as Romania and Slovakia, which may increase its future utility for international transactions.

Downsides of Using BLIK

• Limited International Reach: Primarily used in Poland, limiting its usefulness for businesses with an international customer base.
• Potential Technical Issues: Dependency on internet connectivity, smartphones and app functionality means any technical problems can impact the payment process.
• Technical Integration Required: Businesses need to ensure their payment systems are compatible with BLIK, which may require additional technical setup and maintenance.

While BLIK is an effective solution for Polish transactions, it has very limited use elsewhere. Businesses with international reach may benefit from a more varied payment system with broader geographical cover and flexible integration options.

Open banking platforms like Noda’s offer similar low-cost account-to-account payments to BLIK in Poland, but with wider international coverage, plus multiple and varied payment options, from standalone payment links to your entire payment ecosystem.

BLIK vs. Noda Open Banking: Unlocking More Payment Potential

BLIK operates within a closed network of Polish banks, making it a strong choice for businesses catering to local customers.

It allows users to make payments, transfer money, and withdraw cash, but while it leverages the infrastructure of participating banks, it does not provide the same level of open access to financial data and services that open banking does.

Noda’s open banking payment solution offers merchants direct access to bank payments across multiple markets, allowing businesses to expand payment options without relying on region-specific systems. This supports greater flexibility for merchants operating globally while maintaining the security and efficiency of bank-based transactions.

Noda’s Open Banking Benefits for Merchants

• Instant Settlement: Noda’s open banking solution ensures faster access to funds, improving cash flow management.
• Lower Transaction Costs: Bypass expensive card network fees and reduce costs by up to 80%.
• Seamless API Integration: Streamlined onboarding with minimal technical overhead.
• Personalised Branded Payment Pages: Customise payment pages for a consistent brand experience.
• Bank-Grade Security and Compliance: Adheres to stringent regulatory standards for secure transactions.
• Up to 94% acceptance: Up to 94% of payments go through successfully; typical acceptance rates sit between 70-90% depending on the provider.

Noda is a cost-effective and scalable complement to existing payment solutions. With a dedicated representative to ensure easy integration for businesses of all sizes, Noda can have your payment solutions up and running within days, not weeks.

Here’s just a few of Noda’s payment solutions and key features:

• Open Banking Payments: Fast, secure, and regulated bank transfers.
• QR Codes and Instant Payment Links: Flexible payments across various media types.
• No-Code Payment Page: Custom payment pages via AI builder.
• E-commerce Plugins: Whatever platform you use, we’ve got you covered.
• Checkout Form: Streamlined checkout experience for customers.
• Card Payments: Easy card payments processing for merchants.
• Sign in via Bank: Secure, one-click sign in with bank credentials.
• Bank Payouts: Convenient and fast bank-based payouts for merchants.
• Card Payouts: Effortless card-based payouts for merchants.
• Data Enrichment: Financial insights and forecasts for merchants.

BLIK vs. Noda: Deciding on the Best Payment Method

At Noda, we offer a truly global open banking solution designed to help businesses streamline payments, enhance customer verification, and optimise financial operations.

With access to over 2,000 banks across 28 countries including the UK, Europe, Brazil, and Canada, we enable secure, low-cost transactions while supporting multiple currencies for international expansion.

If you want to find out more about the benefits of open banking payment solutions, chat to the Noda team today–we have flexible, convenient payment solutions for every type of business.