Poland is tightening control over compulsory motor insurance, and for many drivers this could result in unexpected expenses. Even a short break in your motor insurance policy could lead to a large fine, especially given the planned changes to the law. In this article, we look at who will be affected by the new rules, how much you will have to pay, and how to avoid unnecessary risks on the road. Find out what fines will apply in Poland for not having car insurance and what is important to check now

Issuing a policy Green card for traveling abroad by car

BUY

From the beginning of 2026, penalties for not having compulsory civil liability insurance will be increased in Poland. Drivers with expired or missing policies will have to pay more — the changes are directly related to the increase in the minimum wage. This was reported by InPoland.net.pl.

Third-party liability insurance is mandatory for all vehicle owners in Poland. The policy covers compensation for damage caused as a result of a traffic accident, including bodily injury, property damage and medical expenses for victims. The insurance is issued for a specific vehicle and must be valid continuously.

How to check if your OC policy is valid

You can check the validity and current status of your insurance policy online on the website of the Insurance Guarantee Fund (Fundusz Gwarancyjny). To do this, go to the Baza OC i AC section, select Sprawdzenie ubezpieczenia OC and then Identyfikacja umowy OC na dzień.

In the system, you need to enter the vehicle registration number or VIN code, the date of verification and the country where the vehicle is located at that moment. If the policy is valid, information about the make and model of the car, the OC contract number and the insurance company will appear on the screen.

Penalties for not having a policy in 2025

In 2025, the following penalties apply in Poland for a break in civil liability insurance for passenger cars:

▪️ delay of 1 to 3 days — PLN 1,870;

▪️ 4 to 14 days — PLN 4,670;

▪️ more than 14 days — PLN 9,330.

After receiving an official demand for payment of the fine, the driver is obliged to pay the debt within 30 days. If necessary, the amount can be divided into interest-free instalments for up to 24 months.

In which cases the policy is not automatically renewed

Although a standard civil liability insurance policy is usually renewed automatically, there are situations when this does not happen. This applies to the purchase of a new car, receiving a vehicle as an inheritance or a gift, taking out short-term insurance, as well as cases where the insurance premium is divided into instalments and one of them has not been paid on time. In such situations, the driver risks being left without a valid policy without even suspecting it.

Don’t want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

New fines from 1 January 2026

From 1 January 2026, fines for not having compulsory motor insurance in Poland will increase. For passenger cars, the maximum fine will be PLN 9,610. The increase in penalties is related to the increase in the minimum wage to PLN 4,806 gross, from which the amount of fines is directly calculated.

Reminder! Ukraine has opened a new vice-consulate in Rzeszów (Żeszów), which will serve about 60,000 citizens. Find out what services the institution will provide.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance – insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;

Green Card – compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;

Visit Ukraine Tickets – book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;

Private Lawyer service – professional legal support on visa and migration issues;

Visit Ukraine Merch – buy patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

© 2018-2025, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.