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Practical legal guide · Poland

Fine from Poland: do I have to pay it? Alcohol limits and penalties

Stopped by police in Poland or received a Polish fine? A driver living in another EU country gets a fine payable within 7 days, and above 0.5 per mille it is a crime. Poland finds the vehicle keeper in the Czech register, and a final fine of EUR 70 or more can also be enforced in the Czech Republic.

Describe your case

Updated and verified:

Short answer

  1. Pay within 7 days, or refuse the ticket
  2. A final fine from EUR 70 can be enforced in Czechia
  3. Above 0.5 per mille it is a crime

The alcohol limit is 0.2 per mille. Speeding by 31 to 40 km/h costs PLN 800. Find a lawyer on LawBridge.

Describe your case

Quick answers

Do I have to pay a fine from Poland?
Yes, if it is justified. Poland finds the vehicle keeper in the Czech vehicle register and sends a letter, usually in the language of the registration certificate, so in Czech. A final fine of EUR 70 or more can also be enforced in the Czech Republic. If you disagree, you challenge it in Poland under local rules and deadlines.
What is the alcohol limit in Poland?
0.2 per mille for all drivers. From 0.2 to 0.5 per mille is 'after use of alcohol', an offence. Above 0.5 per mille is drunkenness and a crime.
How much is a speeding fine in Poland?
Up to 10 km/h PLN 50, 11–15 km/h PLN 100, 16–20 km/h PLN 200, 21–25 km/h PLN 300, 26–30 km/h PLN 400, 31–40 km/h PLN 800, 41–50 km/h PLN 1,000, 51–60 km/h PLN 1,500, 61–70 km/h PLN 2,000 and from 71 km/h PLN 2,500. From 31 km/h the amount doubles for a repeat within 2 years.

When this situation arises

  • You received a letter with a fine from Poland for speeding, parking or another offence
  • Police in Poland stopped you and want a fine or a deposit on the spot
  • You face a driving ban or criminal proceedings in Poland for alcohol or high speed

What options do you have

Pay the fine

If you accept the offence, pay within the deadline in the letter or on the spot. Keep the proof of payment.

Challenge it in Poland

If you disagree, file an objection or appeal with the authority that issued the fine, within its deadline. The case follows the law of Poland.

Challenge enforcement in the Czech Republic

If a Czech district court decides on recognising the foreign fine, it can refuse, among other things, for a fine below EUR 70. What you already paid abroad is deducted.

Recommended step-by-step process

  1. 1.

    Check the letter

    Check the date, place, registration number, the authority that issued the fine and the deadline to pay or object.

  2. 2.

    Decide before the deadline

    Pay, or challenge it in time with the authority in Poland.

  3. 3.

    Keep the proof of payment

    It shows the fine is paid if anyone tries to enforce it again.

  4. 4.

    A lawyer for a serious offence

    Alcohol, high speed or an accident can mean criminal proceedings in Poland. A lawyer helps with the defence and with what follows in the Czech Republic.

What documents to prepare

  • The fine letter or decision and the envelope with the date of delivery
  • Vehicle registration certificate and driving licence
  • Proof of payment of the fine or deposit
  • Photos, witnesses or a recording from the scene if you dispute the offence

Common mistakes

  • Ignoring the letter because nobody will enforce a foreign fine
  • Missing the deadline to object abroad
  • Thinking one small beer is fine in Poland: the limit is 0.2 per mille

Risks and important deadlines

Fine doubled

Repeating the same offence within 2 years of the last final penalty, such as speeding by more than 30 km/h, costs at least double.

Crime

Above 0.5 per mille you face up to 3 years in prison and a driving ban of at least 3 years.

Short deadlines

The deadlines to pay and to object are set by Poland and are often short.

When it's worth contacting a lawyer

When you face a driving ban, criminal proceedings for alcohol or speed, or a seized car in Poland, or when a Czech court serves you a request to recognise a foreign fine. A lawyer looks at the defence in Poland and the consequences in the Czech Republic. On LawBridge, a search engine for lawyers, you can find a traffic lawyer and describe your situation in a request. Legal services are always paid.

Describe your case

Related pages

Frequently asked questions

How much is a drink-driving fine in Poland?

From 0.2 to 0.5 per mille detention or a fine of at least PLN 2,500 and always a driving ban. Above 0.5 per mille up to 3 years in prison, a mandatory payment of at least PLN 5,000 and a driving ban of at least 3 years.

Do I have to pay on the spot in Poland?

A cash fine paid directly to the officer can only be given to someone staying in Poland temporarily or without a permanent home there. A driver living in another EU country gets a fine payable within 7 days. Card payment is possible.

What if I do not pay a Polish fine?

In fast-track court proceedings the court can hold the passport of someone staying in Poland temporarily until payment within 3 days. For a driver without a home in Poland, the court converts an unpaid fine into substitute detention.

What happens if I do not pay a fine from Poland?

Poland can have a final fine of EUR 70 or more enforced in the Czech Republic. A district court where you stay decides on recognition, and the customs office then collects the amount. For a fine below EUR 70 the court can refuse. What you already paid abroad is deducted.

Does a driving ban from Poland apply in the Czech Republic?

We did not find the scope of a Polish driving ban for foreign drivers in official sources. No EU rule in force yet makes a foreign driving ban apply automatically in the Czech Republic. From 26 November 2029, the country where you got a ban of at least 3 months for a serious offence, such as alcohol or high speed, will notify the Czech Republic, and the Czech authorities will withdraw, suspend or restrict the licence.

What changes from 2027?

EU countries must apply new rules by 20 July 2027. The traffic offence notice must then be issued within 11 months, in the language of the registration certificate, and say how to pay and how to object. The country of residence will then recognise a final fine above EUR 70 without further formality, if it was served on you and you could defend yourself.

Verified sources

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