According to an analysis by Personnel Service based on data from Statistics Poland (GUS), in the first half of 2026 Ukrainians spent 3,4987 billion zlotys in Poland. There were 4,36 million crossings of the Polish-Ukrainian border during this period.
Increase in spending and comparison with previous periods
The sum of 3,4987 billion zlotys is 2,4% higher than in the first half of last year, when spending amounted to 3,42 billion zlotys. The 2026 result almost equalled the record for the first half of 2019 — then it was 3,499 billion zlotys.
The history of spending by year in the source is as follows: 2014 — 5,18 billion zlotys; 2019 — 7,73 billion; 2020 — 2,65 billion; 2021 — 2,94 billion; 2022 — 5,44 billion; 2023 — over 7,1 billion; 2025 — 7,71 billion zlotys.
Border crossings and average spending per visit
In the first six months of 2026 there were 4,36 million crossings of the Polish-Ukrainian border, which is 0,9% fewer than a year earlier. As a result, average spending per border crossing increased.
The largest share of spending consisted of non-food goods — 76,3% of spending, food and non-alcoholic beverages — 15%, other services — 8,7%. A significant portion of purchases are made in localities near the border.
Explanation of reasons for the change in spending
Experts note that an increase in the total sum of spending does not necessarily mean a larger number of visitors; the sum is also affected by how much is spent during a single visit and which goods are chosen. Some people may travel less often but buy more or more expensive goods during a single trip.
These data are based on an analysis by Personnel Service using data from Statistics Poland (GUS) and reflect both changes in the number of crossings and changes in the structure of Ukrainians’ purchases in Poland.
