Is POF in Europe?

You’ve probably heard of Plenty of Fish-POF for short. It’s one of the oldest dating sites out there. But if you’re in Europe, is it even worth using? Let’s cut through the noise and answer this straight: Yes, POF is in Europe, and millions of people there use it every day. But it’s not the same as it was ten years ago. The landscape has changed. Apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge dominate the scene now. So why would someone still use POF in Paris, Berlin, or Barcelona? Let’s break it down.

Quick Takeaways

• POF is active across Europe, especially in Eastern and Southern countries
• It’s free to use, which makes it popular with students and budget-conscious users
• Not as polished as Tinder or Bumble, but has a larger user base in some regions
• Most active in cities like Warsaw, Bucharest, Lisbon, and Belgrade
• Good for casual chats, not ideal if you’re looking for serious relationships

What Exactly Is POF?

Plenty of Fish (POF) launched in 2003 in Canada. It’s one of the first major online dating platforms to offer completely free messaging. No subscriptions. No paywalls. You can message anyone, anytime, for free. That’s still true today. In Europe, it’s not the flashy app you see on Instagram ads. It’s more like a quiet corner of the internet where people go to chat, flirt, or just kill time. There’s no algorithm forcing you to swipe left or right. You browse profiles. You read bios. You decide who to message. It feels more like an old-school forum than a modern dating app.

Why Do Europeans Still Use POF?

Let’s be real-Tinder and Bumble are everywhere. So why POF? Because it fills a gap. In countries like Romania, Serbia, Ukraine, and Poland, many people still use POF as their main dating platform. Why? Three reasons:

1. It’s free. No credit card needed. No monthly fee. For students, low-income users, or people just testing the waters, that matters.
2. It’s simple. No swiping. No matching. No confusing filters. You see a profile. You click ‘Message.’ Done.
3. It’s big. POF still has over 90 million active users worldwide. A huge chunk of those are in Europe. In cities like Cluj-Napoca or Sarajevo, you’ll find more active POF profiles than on some paid apps.

One user in Budapest told us: “I tried Bumble. Felt like a game. POF? I met my girlfriend there. We talked for three weeks before meeting. No pressure.” That’s the vibe.

Where Is POF Most Popular in Europe?

It’s not spread evenly. POF’s strength in Europe isn’t in London or Stockholm. It’s in places where internet culture still leans toward free, open platforms.

• Eastern Europe: Romania, Serbia, Ukraine, Poland, Bulgaria-POF is a top 3 dating app here. In Bucharest, over 120,000 active profiles are listed on POF.
• Southern Europe: Portugal, Spain, Greece, and Italy have strong POF usage, especially among users over 30.
• Western Europe: France, Germany, and the Netherlands? POF is there, but it’s third or fourth on the list. Tinder, Bumble, and Facebook Dating dominate.
• Scandinavia: Very low usage. People here prefer niche apps or local platforms.

Think of it this way: if you’re in Prague and you want to meet someone local, POF gives you more options than any other app. In Paris? You’ll get more matches on Hinge in a day than on POF in a week.

What Can You Expect on POF in Europe?

Profiles on POF are different from what you’ll see on Tinder. They’re longer. More detailed. People write about their hobbies, their dog, their favorite food, their job. It’s not just a photo and a one-liner. You’ll find:

• People looking for friendships, not just hookups
• Older users (35+) who aren’t into swiping culture
• Expats living abroad who use it to connect with locals
• People who don’t want to pay for apps

But here’s the catch: because it’s free and open, you’ll also find spam bots, fake profiles, and people who just want to sell you something. It’s not rare to get a message like: “Hey, want to invest in crypto?” or “I’m a model, let’s chat.” You’ve got to learn to filter.

How to Find People on POF in Europe

Getting started is easy. Download the app (iOS or Android) or go to www.pof.com on your browser. Set your location. POF auto-detects your country, but you can manually pick any city in Europe. Then:

1. Fill out your profile. Add at least three photos. Write a real bio. People ignore blank profiles.
2. Use filters. Age, distance, language, relationship goal. POF lets you filter by “looking for friendship,” “casual dating,” or “serious relationship.”
3. Check “Recently Online.” This shows who’s active right now. Message them while they’re still there.
4. Reply fast. If someone messages you, reply within 24 hours. If you wait too long, they’ll move on.

Pro tip: Use local slang. If you’re in Spain, throw in a “¡Hola!” or “¿Qué tal?” It makes you feel real. People notice.

What Happens in a POF Chat?

Most conversations start with a simple “Hi, how’s your day going?” Then it goes one of two ways:

• Real connection: You talk about music, travel, food, pets. You exchange stories. Maybe you meet for coffee in two weeks.
• Spam or ghosting: You get a copy-paste message. Or they vanish after one reply. It happens. Don’t take it personally.

One woman in Lisbon told us: “I matched with a guy from Lisbon. We talked for a month. He asked me to meet for wine. We did. Now we live together.” That’s the good side. But she also said: “I got 17 spam messages in one day. I had to block half of them.”

Pricing: Is POF Really Free?

Yes. The core features are free: messaging, browsing, viewing photos, seeing who liked you. But POF does offer a paid upgrade called “POF Premium.” It costs around €8-€15 per month. What do you get?

• See who viewed your profile
• Message people who haven’t messaged you first
• Boost your profile to the top of search results

Do you need it? Not really. Most people find matches without paying. But if you’re in a city with low activity-say, Riga or Tallinn-Premium might help. In Berlin? Probably not.

Safety Tips for Using POF in Europe

POF isn’t dangerous-but it’s not foolproof either. Here’s how to stay safe:

• Never share your address, phone number, or ID. Not even a photo of your passport.
• Meet in public. Always. A café, a park, a busy bar. Never alone at home.
• Use the app’s reporting tool. If someone sends spam, harassment, or scams, report them immediately.
• Video chat first. Before meeting, do a 5-minute video call. It helps spot fakes.
• Trust your gut. If something feels off, walk away. You’re not obligated to respond.

There are scams on POF. One common one: someone says they’re from your city, but their profile was created yesterday. They ask for money for “travel costs” or “medical bills.” That’s a red flag. Always.

POF vs. Tinder in Europe

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

POF isn’t dead. It’s just different. In Europe, it’s not the go-to app for young urbanites. But for students, expats, older singles, and people who hate paywalls-it’s still alive. If you’re in Eastern Europe, give it a try. You might be surprised. If you’re in London or Stockholm? Maybe stick with Bumble or Hinge. But don’t write it off. You never know who you’ll meet.

Try it. Create a profile. Send one message. See what happens. You’ve got nothing to lose-and maybe someone worth meeting.