Which Mobile Operator in Poland is the Most Advantageous: Verified by Migrants

Arrived in Poland and wondering which operator to choose? You are not alone — over a million foreigners already use Polish mobile services. Each of them once faced the same choice.

Polish operators offer dozens of tariffs, promotions, and “advantageous” deals. It is not easy to navigate them, especially if you are unfamiliar with local specifics.

There are particularities. Since 2016, Poland has enforced mandatory SIM card registration — each card is linked to a specific person. For migrants, this creates additional document-related challenges.

Good news: mobile prices in Poland are among the lowest in Europe. Orange and Play serve over 15 million customers each, T-Mobile more than 12 million. Competition is high, so there is plenty to choose from.

Do you want to understand which operator is truly advantageous? We checked the main offers and will tell you what migrants themselves choose.

How to Register a SIM Card in Poland: Step-by-Step Instructions

Every SIM card in Poland must be registered to a specific person. This requirement has been in force since 2016 according to anti-terrorism legislation. Without proper registration, the card simply will not work.

Accepted Documents

The best option is a foreign passport. It will be accepted by all operators without issues.

With an internal Ukrainian passport, the situation is more complicated:

• Play may refuse to sell
• Orange usually accepts without problems
• T-Mobile and Plus vary depending on the specific store

Other accepted documents include:

• Residence permit (Karta pobytu)
• Polish Card (Karta Polaka)

Important: If you do not have suitable documents, you can register the card in the name of a friend with a foreign passport. This is legal and does not create any obligations for them.

Where to Buy a SIM Card

SIM cards are sold everywhere:

• Official operator stores
• Żabka and Auchan stores
• Polish Post
• RUCH kiosks
• Circle K, BP, Shell gas stations

However, go to official stores. Why?

In regular shops, staff often do not know the registration procedure. The result — the card is not activated, and you lose time and money.

Activation Process

After registration, the number works immediately. Some operators offer to install an app (Orange FLEX, Play24) — accept it. Often, they give bonus gigabytes or free calls for installing.

Features for Migrants

A Polish SIM card is more advantageous than roaming from your home country — this is obvious. But there is another point: a Polish number may be required for document processing, opening a bank account, or job searching.

Do you often call home? Many operators have created special packages for Ukrainians and other migrants with advantageous international calls.

Main Mobile Operators in Poland: What Migrants Choose

T-Mobile

Good internet — this is why T-Mobile is valued. Prepaid GO! packages include unlimited calls and SMS.

Tariffs:

• GO! L — 45 PLN, 60 GB internet for 30 days
• GO! M — 35 PLN, 40 GB internet

Bonuses: When topping up 25-29 PLN, you get an additional 10 GB for a month.

Special offer: “Year of Internet” promotion — up to 9999 GB for a year.

Orange Polska

Reliable coverage even in remote areas — Orange’s main advantage. Bez limitu tariffs start at 25 PLN for unlimited calls + 15 GB internet.

Orange Flex — a separate service via app. No paper contracts, you can change tariffs anytime.

Play

Rapidly developing 5G network. Especially interesting for migrants are special packages with advantageous calls to Ukraine.

Package XL: 45 PLN — unlimited calls in Poland + 60 GB internet.

Plus

Good reception in rural areas. For 35 PLN — 40 GB internet + unlimited calls.

After the war in Ukraine started, Plus offered 500 free minutes for calls to Ukraine at 0.19 PLN per minute.

Operator Tariffs: Comparing Prices and Conditions

Numbers are what really matter when choosing an operator. Let’s analyze the main offers without marketing fluff.

Unlimited Internet: Who Offers More for Less

Play leads in price-quality ratio. Package UA M for 35 PLN includes unlimited 5G internet plus 1000 minutes for calls to Ukraine.

Orange Flex offers two options: UNLMTD package for 45 PLN with 75 GB plan or 30 PLN with 150 GB plan. Paradox? Yes, but that’s how their pricing works.

Plus goes a different way — ULTRA package for 50 PLN. First 6 months unlimited internet, then a 1000 GB limit for the next half year.

Virtual operator Klucz (operates on Plus network) gives 100 GB at full speed + 200 GB at up to 1 Mbps for 35 PLN.

Calls: Within Poland and Abroad

All operators include unlimited calls within Poland. Differences start with international directions.

For calls to Ukraine:

• Play: 1000 minutes for 35-45 PLN per month
• Plus: 0.19 PLN per minute without package
• T-Mobile: 30 minutes for 10 PLN or 70 minutes for 20 PLN
• Lycamobile: specializes in international calls with low tariffs

Roaming in Europe

There is a catch. The “roaming like at home” rule does not work the same for all operators.

Plus charges an additional 0.19 PLN per MB in roaming, even if you have a home package. An unpleasant surprise for those who travel frequently in Europe.

T-Mobile provides part of the home traffic for roaming in the EU. For example: if you buy a 5 GB package for Poland — you can use 1.93 GB in other EU countries.

What to Watch Out For: Auto-Renewal and Hidden Fees

Almost all packages renew automatically. If there is enough money on your balance, after 30 days the payment for the new period will be deducted. To disable auto-renewal, you must deactivate the package at least 2 days before expiration.

Do you top up your account at the store checkout? You will receive a receipt with a code — without activating it, the money will not be credited. Many forget this and then wonder why their balance is empty.

Which Operator is the Most Advantageous: What Migrants Say

Advertising brochures are one thing. Real reviews from people already living in Poland and using local services are quite another.

We collected opinions from foreigners who tested different operators. Here is what we found.

Best Tariffs Based on Real Experience

Play is the undisputed leader in price-quality ratio. For 55 PLN per year you get 120 GB internet and unlimited calls. Many migrants call this the best offer on the market.

Orange for the same price gives only 30 GB internet. But there is one “but” — with monthly top-ups of 35 PLN, you get 400 GB credited. Effectively unlimited.

T-Mobile attracts with simplicity: Na kartę tariff for 25 PLN includes unlimited calls, SMS, and 10 GB internet per year.

For the economical, Virgin Mobile offers the #FREEMIUM package — every month free 30 minutes, SMS, and 300 MB internet.

What to Choose: Short Stay or Long-Term?

Short Stay (up to 3 months):

Migrants recommend prepaid cards from Play or Plus. Play is especially advantageous for calls to Ukraine — only 0.29 PLN per minute.

Long-Term Stay:

Contracts are more advantageous here. Virgin Mobile offers a subscription from 19 PLN with unlimited calls, SMS, and 3 GB internet.

Do you travel frequently in Europe? T-Mobile adds free roaming for an additional 25 PLN.

Speed and Coverage Ratings

Internet speed:

• Play — fastest, but coverage is not perfect everywhere
• T-Mobile — consistently good
• Orange — reliable everywhere

For rural areas, definitely Orange or Plus — they provide better coverage in small towns.

Virtual operators (Lycamobile, Virgin Mobile, nju mobile) are good in price but have worse connection quality. Suitable for youth who mostly use WiFi.

Summary: Which Operator to Choose

Each operator in Poland has its strengths. Play — leader in internet and advantageous calls to Ukraine. Orange — stable connection even in villages. T-Mobile — quality mobile internet. Plus — bonuses for topping up.

For short-term stays, prepaid cards from Play or Plus are best. Simple registration, no obligations, ready to use immediately.

Planning to stay longer? Then consider contracts — they are often more advantageous than monthly top-ups.

Virtual operators like Lycamobile are cheaper but have worse connection. Suitable if you mainly need calls abroad.

What to Consider Before Buying a SIM Card:

• Take a foreign passport — with it, there will be no problems
• Often call home? Look for special packages for international calls
• Need a lot of internet? Play and T-Mobile are the best choice
• Live in a small town? Orange or Plus will provide stable connection

Poland is one of the few European countries where mobile communication is truly inexpensive. You can find a suitable tariff for any budget.

Need help choosing an operator or other questions about working in Poland? Contact us — we will help you understand and select the best option for your needs!