In Poland, there's still places that use cash, for obvious reasons, I am thinking of tattoo/piercing shops, small shops that function as courier hubs, etc.
In general, I simply use a card (phone), and have used over the past N years in Poland, Denmark, and Cyprus.
In Poland I feel that most people use cashless payments nowdays. It may be also true that I live in a city in western parts. I think that the eastern part might rely more on cash.
Sometimes I struggle to pay with cash, if I have to. Cashiers cannot return change, or seem to be disgusted if they have to.
ATMs are getting less attractive. Are in less places, are old. I feel like everything goes to phone/NFC. I have a problem with that. I prefer card & ATM solution.
never heard of such fee, 40% sounds crazy, like impossible. from what I know living in Poland for my whole life, the fees aren't pushed by ATMs, but banks itself, so you should check fees in your bank, which sounds like foreign bank, so it might be that the exchange was that high or something.
In general, I simply use a card (phone), and have used over the past N years in Poland, Denmark, and Cyprus.