Poland has long been a popular destination among Lithuanian shoppers. However, Lithuanian banks’ data on card payments show that in the first half of 2024, Lithuanians spent less on purchases in Poland than last year.
Vilnius resident Robertas comes to Poland’s Suwałki once every month and a half to buy food and household goods. This time, he says, he spent over 150 euros.
“Prices are still going up here. We don’t even look at whether it’s on sale or not, if we need it, we take it, and we still end up saving,” the man told LRT TV.
Robertas says he does not calculate how much he spends on fuel to go to Poland. However, he fills up in Lithuania, as petrol is more expensive in Poland.
The Polish government’s abolition of the zero value-added tax rate on food products has led to a slight increase in prices. The zloty has also strengthened. But Lithuanians say it is still possible to save while shopping in Poland.
“Take anything, it’s still worth it, it’s still cheaper than in Lithuania,” said Artūras from Klaipėda.
According to experts, the days when people could save a lot of money by doing their shopping in Poland are gone, but there are still cheaper goods in the neighbouring country.
Lithuanians can save on goods subject to excise duty, as it is still lower in Poland, notes Petras Čepkauskas, a price specialist at PRICER.LT. Some goods are also 2–3 times cheaper in Polish pharmacies.
Lithuanian supermarkets are also full of Polish brands, so people need to do the math when travelling to a neighbouring country, the expert says.
People in border regions who regularly shop in Poland say they are doing their homework.
“There are special apps on our phones, we look at shop brochures. You have to do the math, there are cheaper products and more expensive ones, and you can get ripped off,” said Aidas from the Alytus district.
Data from Lithuanian banks show that Lithuanians spend less paying with payment cards in Poland.
“This year’s changes are negative. Card payments in Poland are down by about 15 percent,” said Tadas Povilauskas, an economist at SEB Bank.
However, banks cannot estimate the trends in cash payments, and it is likely that Lithuanians in Poland are more inclined to pay in cash.
“The Poles themselves report that Lithuanians spent 0.3 percent more in zlotys than last year, so the amount spent in Poland has not changed significantly,” Povilauskas said.
According to Polish statistics, in the first nine months of last year, Lithuanians spent 271 million euros in their country. More recent figures are not yet available.
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