What Fines Do Foreigners Receive Most Often in Poland?

Fines in Poland are becoming a serious issue for foreigners. In 2024 alone, more than 3.2 million fines were issued for speeding, and over 24,000 drivers lost their licenses due to traffic violations. The highest recorded penalty reaches 30,000 PLN for repeated driving without a license.

However, fines for foreigners in Poland are not limited to traffic violations. Unexpected penalties may also arise for actions such as grilling on a balcony or making noise at night.

How can you check fines in Poland? What actions are prohibited? And how can you avoid unpleasant surprises?

In this article, you will learn about the top 5 most common fines in Poland, rules foreigners should know, and practical tips on how to check and pay penalties.

Top 5 Fines Foreigners Receive in Poland

Foreigners in Poland most often receive fines related to traffic violations and public transport usage. Not knowing local rules does not exempt you from responsibility, and penalties can be significant

Speeding – from 50 to 2500 PLN

Speeding remains the most common violation among drivers in Poland.

Fines are issued automatically by speed cameras and police patrols and are accompanied by penalty points.

• Up to 10 km/h over the limit – 50 PLN and 1 penalty point
• 11–15 km/h over the limit – 100 PLN and 2 points

For higher violations:

• 21–25 km/h – 300 PLN and 5 points

More serious offenses lead to higher penalties:

• 31–40 km/h – 800 PLN (first offense) or 1600 PLN (repeat offense)

If you exceed the limit by more than 71 km/h, the fine is:

• 2500 PLN for the first violation
• 5000 PLN for repeated violations

A violation is considered repeated if it occurs within 2 years of the previous one.

Driving Without Insurance or Expired Insurance

From January 1, 2026, fines for not having mandatory insurance are linked to the minimum wage in Poland.

For passenger cars:

• 1–3 days without insurance – 1922 PLN
• 4–14 days – 4806 PLN
• More than 14 days – 9612 PLN

For trucks, the maximum penalty can reach 14,418 PLN.

Fare Evasion on Public Transport

The fine for traveling without a valid ticket depends on the city and transport operator.

In Warsaw, the basic fine is 266 PLN, but if paid within 7 days it is reduced by 30%.

In Kraków:

• Standard ticket fine – 300 PLN
• Discount ticket fine – 200 PLN

In Upper Silesia, fines may reach 550 PLN.

Repeated fare evasion may be treated as fraud, which can result in:

• fines up to 5000 PLN
• or detention for up to 30 days

Illegal Parking

Parking violations in Poland range from 100 to 1200 PLN.

Examples:

• Parking on sidewalks or bike lanes – 100 PLN
• Stopping on pedestrian crossings – 100–300 PLN and 8 penalty points
• Parking in a disabled parking spot without authorization – 1200 PLN and 6 points

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol

If a driver has 0.2–0.5‰ alcohol in blood, the penalty includes:

• fine of at least 5000 PLN
• 15 penalty points
• driving ban from 6 months to 3 years

If alcohol level exceeds 0.5‰, the punishment becomes stricter:

• fine starting from 5000 PLN
• up to 2 years of imprisonment
•  driving ban for at least 3 years

Repeated violations may result in:

• 10,000 PLN fine
• up to 5 years in prison

Unusual Fines Foreigners Should Know About

In addition to traffic violations, migrants may receive fines for everyday actions that might seem normal in other countries.

Grilling on the Balcony

Barbecuing on balconies is often regulated by building rules. Smoke and smells may cause complaints from neighbors.

Violations may result in fines of up to 500 PLN.

Starting fires in prohibited places may lead to fines from 20 to 5000 PLN.

It is forbidden to light fires:

• in forests
• within 100 meters of forests
• within 4 meters of neighboring property
• within 10 meters of agricultural land

After a picnic, trash must be cleaned up, otherwise a 500 PLN fine may be issued.

Swimming in Prohibited Areas

Swimming in restricted waters may result in fines of up to 500 PLN.

In some cases, penalties may reach 1000 PLN.

A red flag on the beach means swimming is prohibited, and violations may result in fines up to 250 PLN.

Swimming is also prohibited:

• near dams
• near bridges
• on shipping routes
• in heavily polluted waters

Swimming in the Tatra Mountains lakes is prohibited and can result in fines up to 1000 PLN.

Night Noise – Quiet Hours in Poland

Night quiet hours in Poland are from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM.

Violations may result in fines of up to 500 PLN.

Repeated disturbances may lead to court proceedings.

Although noise is technically allowed after 6:00 AM, it is recommended to start activities after 8:00 AM, and louder work after 10:00 AM.

If neighbors violate quiet hours, you can call the police at 112.

How to Check Fines in Poland and How to Pay Them

Poland does not have a single centralized system to check all fines online. However, several government services provide information about penalties.

Checking Fines Online

The mObywatel 2.0 application allows users to see:

• fine amount
• date of violation
• reason for the fine
• number of penalty points

Access is provided through Profil Zaufany.

The e-Urząd Skarbowy (podatki.gov.pl) website allows users to check fines and taxes and pay them instantly.

Login is possible through:

• Profil Zaufany
• mObywatel
• bank account connected to ePUAP.

The portal obywatel.gov.pl shows only the number of penalty points.

If fines are overdue, they may appear in credit registers such as BIG or ERIF.

Paying Fines via Banking Apps

Many banks in Poland, including mBank, ING and PKO BP, allow fines to be paid directly through their mobile apps.

You only need to enter the ticket number and the amount.

Paying Fines via Post Offices

The service zaplacmandat.pl allows fines to be paid online 24/7.

Transaction fee – 5 PLN.

Fines can also be paid at any of the 7600 post offices in Poland.

The service fee for payments up to 1200 PLN is 12 PLN.

The standard payment deadline is 7 days, and 14 days for camera-issued fines.

How Foreigners Can Avoid Fines in Poland

Following local laws and traffic rules will help you avoid financial losses and legal problems.

Follow Traffic Rules

Speed limits in Poland:

• cities – 50 km/h
• residential zones – 20 km/h
• outside cities – 90 km/h
• expressways – 100 km/h
• highways – 140 km/h

Speed cameras usually tolerate violations up to 10 km/h.

Drivers must keep low-beam headlights on at all times.

Pedestrians entering crosswalks must always be given priority.

Keep Insurance and Documents Up to Date

Car insurance must be continuous from the first day of vehicle registration.

Even if the vehicle is not used, insurance is still mandatory.

A used car must be registered within 30 days after purchase.

Penalties:

• delay of 30–180 days – 500 PLN
• over 180 days – 1000 PLN

Respect Public Order

Quiet hours apply from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM.

Loud renovation works are recommended after 10:00 AM.

When visiting Polish homes, guests are often offered indoor slippers, and refusing them may be considered impolite.

Check Your Fines Regularly

More than 70% of drivers pay fines online within the first 5 days.

Late payments may incur 10% monthly penalties.

Debts exceeding 5000 PLN may lead to serious legal consequences, including restrictions on entering the Schengen Area.

Conclusion

Fines in Poland require awareness and knowledge of local rules.

The most common violations include speeding, lack of insurance, and illegal parking. However, fines can also be issued for grilling on balconies or making noise after 10 PM.

Regularly checking fines through mObywatel or podatki.gov.pl can help avoid serious problems.

Following traffic laws, keeping documents updated, and respecting local regulations will protect you from financial losses and legal consequences in Poland.