Currency Exchange Calculator — spread and conversion cost

The spread is the difference between the buy rate (bid — the rate at which the bank buys from you) and the sell rate (ask — the rate at which it sells to you). A spread of PLN 0.10 on EUR at PLN 4.20 is about 2.4%. This is the implicit cost of the exchange, even if no commission is charged.

Polish currency exchange bureaux (kantory) and online platforms (e.g. Cinkciarz, Walutomat, Ekantor) typically offer tighter spreads than banks — often 0.5–1.5% vs. 3–5% at retail banks. For amounts above PLN 1,000, the difference can be meaningful.

The NBP rate (National Bank of Poland mid-market rate) is published each business day at approximately 11:15–12:00 (Table A). It is not a transactional rate — you cannot buy or sell at the NBP rate. Use it as a reference: the closer the kantor's rate to NBP, the better the deal.

Compare: (1) sell rate when buying currency (lower is better), (2) buy rate when selling (higher is better), (3) no hidden commissions, (4) transaction limits and settlement time. Comparison tools: Comperia.pl, Bankier.pl/kantor, or search real-time rates.

From the bureau's perspective: buy rate (bid) — the bureau buys from you (you sell EUR for PLN); sell rate (ask) — the bureau sells to you (you buy EUR with PLN). Rule: when buying currency you pay the higher (ask) rate; when selling you receive the lower (bid) rate.

Example: buy 4.20, sell 4.30, mid-market 4.25. Buying EUR with PLN 10,000: 10,000/4.30 = 2,325.58 EUR. At mid-market: 10,000/4.25 = 2,352.94 EUR. Spread cost: 27.36 EUR ≈ PLN 115. That is 1.15% of the transaction value.

The calculator does not fetch live rates. For current rates: NBP mid-rate at nbp.pl, retail rates at bankier.pl/kursy-walut, or use the currency converter on our site. Exchange rates fluctuate daily and are influenced by monetary policy, inflation, and global risk sentiment.

To convert EUR to PLN: use the sell rate when you want to buy EUR (enter EUR amount, direction = sell currency), or the buy rate when selling EUR for PLN (enter EUR amount, direction = sell currency). The calculator automatically applies the correct rate for the selected direction.

Not always. Some banks and exchange bureaux charge additional commissions or fixed fees. Always check for hidden charges. Online platforms such as Wise (formerly TransferWise) offer the mid-market rate but charge a transparent fee — often cheaper than traditional spreads for larger amounts.

No — this calculator is an informational tool for estimating exchange costs. For large or complex currency transactions (hedging, FX options, company treasury), consult a qualified financial adviser or FX specialist.