Mobile internet

Will my phone work in Poland? USA & UK guide

Learn how your cell phone works in Poland when traveling from the UK or the USA. Plus, find out the best and cheapest option to get mobile data abroad.

Yes, your phone will work in Poland. If your mobile phone works with Polish local frequency bands, you can stay connected hassle-free on your trip.

But, what’s the best way to stay connected in Poland? Explore how you can use your cell phone in Poland, how much these cost, and how to save extra money on your trip.

Plus, learn how a travel eSIM can help you get a reliable connection abroad if your phone is unlocked.

In this article

Can I use my phone in Poland?

Yes, as long as your phone can use the Polish frequency bands, you shouldn’t face issues on your trip.

Poland currently has 41 frequency bands in use, but since Poland has the GSM standard (Global System for Mobile Communications), you won’t have to worry about your phone not working, as this is added to most international smartphones.

Home country	Carriers	Will my phone work in Poland?
USA	AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile	Yes, but check if your device is unlocked or you must rely on international roaming.
UK	Three, O2, Vodafone UK, and EE	Yes, all mobiles sold in the UK after 2021 are carrier-unlocked.

How to use your cell phone in Poland

To use your cell phone in Poland, you have four options available to stay connected while traveling.

Here’s the information about pricing, availability, and benefits for each one.

eSIM for Poland

If you have an eSIM-compatible phone, this is an ideal option for using your cell phone in Poland from the moment you arrive.

Using the Holafly eSIM for Poland is a great alternative to get an international plan. Depending on the length of your trip, pricing ranges from $3.90 to as little as $1.55 per day. Plus, the eSIM includes unlimited mobile data.

With the Holafly eSIM, you’ll also get 24/7 customer support, up to 500 MB of hotspot data per day, 5G data speeds, and activation is completed within minutes.

Roaming in Poland

International roaming is available from most carriers in the US and the UK.

Let’s explain how roaming in Poland depends on where you’re from.

For USA carriers: Roaming charges for AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile range from $5 to $50. For Verizon and AT&T, you have a daily pass that unlocks unlimited data at $12, while T-Mobile has roaming passes ranging from $5 to $50 for 1 to 30 days.
For UK carriers: Providers from the UK offer free roaming in Poland if you’re on an eligible plan, like Value or Complete from Three. If not, you’ll have to pay for daily roaming passes that cost £2 to £2.57 based on your carrier.

Roaming is an affordable option for UK travelers, but US travelers can face high fees, as most carriers don’t offer roaming plans tailored to Europe.

Note: Texts and calls are usually included in roaming plans at no extra cost for both UK and USA roaming plans.

Physical SIM card for Poland

You can buy a local SIM card for Poland at convenience stores and kiosks around the country.

Local providers like Play, Plus, and Orange offer local SIM cards for tourists, making it easier to get one. Pricing ranges from 5 PLN (~$1.37) for a 1 GB data bundle to 30 PLN (~$8.18) for 30 GB bundles.

When buying a SIM card for Poland, keep your passport with you. You’ll need to show it to activate the SIM card.

Pocket WiFi for Poland

Using a pocket WiFi in Poland is an excellent alternative if you need to provide a reliable internet connection to several devices.

But it’s not the cheapest option. Companies like TravelWiFi offer three limited data plans, ranging from $7.95 to $11.95 per day or $99 a day for an unlimited data plan. Another alternative is MioWiFi, which has a fixed rate of $8/day with unlimited data.

However, to the final pricing, you’ll need to add delivery costs, insurance to avoid surprise charges, and any add-ons you’d like to include, which will increase costs significantly.

Alternatively, you have Holafly Plans. For $64.90 a month, you get unlimited data, unlimited hotspot data, a European phone number, 5G data speeds, and coverage in over 170 destinations—no need to worry about roaming or SIM swapping when arriving in other countries.

Will your phone work in Poland? The verdict

Using your phone in Poland is easier than expected, but you do have to make a proper choice to avoid spending all your money roaming or using pocket WiFi.

Traveling from the UK reduces most costs, but US travelers still have to find a reliable option to avoid paying more for roaming than they did for the trip.

That’s where using an eSIM turns into the best option. Whether you choose the eSIM for Poland or the Unlimited Plan from Holafly Plans, you’ll get a reliable, high-speed data service to avoid surprise charges on your trip.

So, choose the plan that fits your trip the most, and start using your cell phone in Poland with nothing to worry about.

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Julio Osuna

English Content Writer

I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.

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