In Poland, there is a system of fines (mandat karny) for various offenses, including speeding, improper parking, and traveling without a ticket on public transport, among others. The types of fines and the procedure for their payment depend on the nature of the violation and the status of the person who committed it.
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Main Types of Fines in Poland
Poland has several main types of fines:
- Cash Fine (Mandat gotówkowy) — intended for individuals temporarily residing in the country. It must be paid immediately at the place of the violation.
- Credit Fine (Mandat kredytowany) — to be paid within seven days from the date of the ruling.
- In Absentia Fine (Mandat zaoczny) — sent by mail if the violation is recorded by an automatic camera. Payment is due within 14 days.
Additionally, there are so-called “additional charges” (for example, for not having a parking ticket or a travel ticket on public transport), which have a civil-legal nature.
Who Has the Right to Issue Fines and How to Check Them
In Poland, fines can be issued not only by police officers. The following have the right to do so:
- Policja (police);
- Straż Miejska (municipal guard);
- Służba Leśna (forest service);
- ticket inspectors on public transport;
- services that operate automatic recording cameras (GITD, CANARD).
In some situations, the offender may not even be aware of the fine’s existence — for example, the notification may be sent to an old address, the receipt may be placed under the windshield wiper, and automatic cameras record violations without direct human involvement. To check a fine, you usually need the PESEL number, vehicle registration number, and sometimes a passport or ID card.
You can check your fines in several ways:
- through the mObywatel 2.0 app — displays the amount, date of the fine, payment status, and number of penalty points;
- on the e-Urząd Skarbowy website (podatki.gov.pl) — allows you to pay the fine online;
- on the obywatel.gov.pl portal — allows you to check only the number of penalty points;
- through credit information bureaus (BIG, ERIF) — contains information about old debts, including fines.
Offline verification is possible at the tax office (Urzad Skarbowy), where all fines have been sent since 2016, or at a police station (commissioner’s office), where you can only find out about penalty points.
Sometimes you may not even know about a fine. A letter arrives at an old address, a receipt is placed under the windshield wiper, and cameras record violations without your participation. To check, you usually need: PESEL number; vehicle registration number; sometimes a passport or ID.
Consequences of Non-Payment and the Possibility of Appealing a Fine
If a fine is not paid on time, it can lead to the following consequences:
- the amount of debt increases, and the court may impose an additional fine of up to 5000 zlotys and court costs;
- initiation of enforcement proceedings — possible seizure of funds from bank accounts or property;
- problems obtaining loans — delays are recorded in debtor databases (BIG, KRD);
- accumulation of penalty points for drivers — if the fine is not paid, points are not annulled. Exceeding the limit (24 points for experienced drivers, 20 for beginners) leads to the loss of driving rights;
- in extreme cases, the court may replace the unpaid fine with a detention of up to 6 months.
You can appeal or cancel a fine by:
- refusing to pay it on the spot — the case is then automatically transferred to the court;
- submitting an appeal within 7 days of receiving the ruling;
- applying for an installment plan or deferral of payment in case of financial difficulties.