RTV subscription: discounts and exemptions worth knowing about
Anyone using a television or radio receiver is required to register it and pay the license fee. This rule applies to everyone except those legally exempt from this obligation. It's worth remembering that paying the annual radio and television license fee in advance by January 25th of this year receives a 10% discount.
The most financially advantageous solution is to pay the subscription fee for the entire 2023 year in advance, but you can also take advantage of other discounts for payments longer than one month. Information on the subscription fees set by the National Broadcasting Council, a calculator, and other information about the subscription fee and discounts are available at: rtv.poczta-polska.pl.
In accordance with applicable legal regulations, Poczta Polska is obligated to register radio and television receivers, collect and record subscription fees, and verify their payment. Registration formalities can be completed conveniently via the website or by visiting a post office.
Who does not have to pay a subscription fee?
Polish law strictly defines who is eligible for exemption from subscription fees. The list includes, among others, individuals assessed as having group I disability, total incapacity for work, significant disability, permanent or temporary total incapacity for farm work, individuals receiving care benefits, special care allowances, or social pensions, deaf and blind individuals who meet specific criteria, individuals over 60 years of age and eligible for a retirement pension, individuals meeting the income criteria specified in the Family Benefits Act, individuals eligible for cash benefits under the Social Assistance Act, the unemployed, individuals eligible for pre-retirement benefits and allowances, and those receiving caregiver benefits. On the basis of separate acts, the following persons are also exempt: war and military invalids, veterans who are war or military invalids, family members of the indicated veterans, and persons with the status of injured veterans under the act on veterans operating outside the country.
A detailed list of people who are entitled to exemption from subscription fees is available on the Poczta Polska website.
Seniors over 75 who have registered a radio or television set are exempt from paying the license fee. Importantly, these individuals are not required to register their eligibility for fee exemptions at post offices, as they are legally exempt from paying them.
Other individuals who are eligible for fee exemptions should register their eligibility at their chosen post office. This applies only to those who have not yet availed themselves of this opportunity.
What documents must be presented at a post office to obtain exemption from paying subscription fees?
In accordance with applicable legal regulations, persons entitled to exemption from subscription fees should report to the selected post office and present the relevant documents confirming their entitlement to the exemption.
For disabled persons, a certificate from a competent authority is required. For visually impaired persons, it will be necessary to present an ID card from the Polish Association of the Blind or the Association of Blind Soldiers of the Republic of Poland, or a certificate from a competent authority classifying the person as moderately disabled due to visual impairment, or a certificate from a competent authority confirming visual impairment (visual acuity not exceeding 15%), or a certificate issued by a healthcare facility confirming the above parameters.
War and military invalids are also exempt from subscription fees . To obtain an exemption from fees, a war or military invalid's booklet issued by the pension authority is sufficient. In the case of veterans who are war or military invalids, this is a victim ID card.
Retirees, however, should present an ID card confirming they are over 60 years of age and a decision from the pension authority regarding the pension amount for the given year. This may be a pension slip or a decision granting or indexing a pension. Those approaching retirement age should have a decision from the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) granting a pre-retirement benefit or a certificate of receipt of a pre-retirement benefit.
People who are unemployed are also eligible for exemption from subscription fees . In this case, all they need to do is present a certificate from the employment office confirming their unemployment status at the post office.
The full list of documents entitling you to exemption from subscription fees can be found here .
The fee exemption is valid from the first day of the month following the month in which the document confirming the right to the exemption was presented at the post office.
It's also worth completing the formalities related to updating your personal and address details, changing the number of RTV receivers you use or deregistering them, and changing the location of your receiver. This can also be done at the above website or at any post office.
Helpline help
If you have any questions or concerns about your TV license, please call the Poczta Polska hotline at (43) 842 06 06 (charges apply according to your carrier's price list). The hotline is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.