The increasing number of cyber threats, strategy failures and geopolitical crises makes more and more countries and institutions urge keeping any of the savings in the form of cash. Experts indicate circumstantial amounts that are worth having at home – in case of ATM failures, power outages or hacking attacks.
Cash is back in favor. What do European countries recommend?
Although electronic payments have become the dominant standard, the reality of fresh years shows that cash continues to play a key function in ensuring the fundamental financial safety of citizens. Now. In late 2024 the Dutch government and banks recommended each citizen had at least EUR 200–500 in cash at home.
These recommendations were not disconnected from reality – their meaning was confirmed by events from April 2025 in Spainwhere Power failure paralyzed the country. Phones, Internet, ATMs, fuel stations and even payment terminals in stores were not available. Only people with cash could make basic purchases.
Similar conclusions came from the COVID-19 pandemic period and After the outbreak of the war in UkraineWhen the sense of control over funds and access to physical money was of large intellectual and applicable importance.
How much cash is worth at home? Recommendations and analysis
Personal Finance Specialists indicate that the minimum amount worth having in cash at home should cover basic needs for respective days. Although a circumstantial sum depends on lifestyle, household number and local prices, it is assumed that:
- lonely person should have 500 to 1000 zł,
- pair – minimum PLN 1000-1500,
- family with children – from 1500 to 3000 zł,
These are the amounts that let you to buy food, fuel or medicines in case of abrupt breakdown of banking systems or a deficiency of electricity. It is besides worth having banknotes with different denominations (e.g. 10, 20, 50 PLN), which will facilitate tiny payments.
Cash payment limits in Poland and EU
In Poland no cash limits for individuals. Restrictions apply only to entrepreneurs – in their case the maximum allowable cash payment is PLN 15,000. All higher transactions must be accounted for without cash.
The situation will shortly change in the European Union. 24 April 2024 European Parliament adopted regulations prohibiting cash payments over EUR 10 000and transactions exceeding EUR 3 000 will be subject to additional checks. associate States have three years to implement the fresh rules in their legal order.
Bank account – advantages and risks
Although keeping money in the bank is convenient and in most cases safe, more and more users experience cyber fraud. Criminals usage sophisticated methods to extort data and bargain funds from accounts, utilizing anonymity and hard detection on the network.
On the another hand, bank accounts supply convenient access to money from anywhere in the world, let online payments and defend measures against physical demolition (e.g. fire, flooding). The money in the account is besides guaranteed by the Bank warrant Fund up to EUR 100 1000 (about PLN 430 thousand).
Why is it worth having cash despite digital convenience?
Although the digitalisation of the payment strategy accelerated, dependence on electronic payments only risks – especially in the face of global and local crises. In specified situations cash gives you the chance to respond immediately and full control your finances.
According to portal analysis Bankier.plau 70% of Poles declare that they have a certain amount of cash at homebut only 15% has a larger amount prepared “for a rainy day”. This may not be adequate in the event of a real crisis.
Keeping cash at home is not a show of distrust towards the banking system, but a form of conscious hazard management. Given the expanding number of technological, regulatory and geopolitical incidents, it is worth having minimum PLN 500-1500 (or appropriate equivalent in local currency) as a backup origin of backing for key needs. The key is balance – between the convenience of non-cash payments and the safety of physical cash.
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How much cash is worth at home for a rainy day? Experts shall specify circumstantial amounts
