Regulations, discounts and exemptions from TV license fees that are worth knowing about
Anyone using a television or radio set is required to register it and pay the license fee. This rule applies to everyone except those legally exempt from fees, provided they complete the appropriate formalities.
The subscription fee rates are set by the National Broadcasting Council and this year are PLN 8.70 per month for a radio receiver, and PLN 27.30 for a television or television and radio receiver. Individuals required to pay subscription fees who pay their RTV license fee in advance for the entire year by January 25, 2024, will receive a 10% discount. Other discounts are also available for payments for periods longer than one month.
Depending on the country, various models of financing public media operate in Europe. The involvement of individual postal operators in monitoring subscription fees is common in Europe. According to current legal regulations, Poczta Polska is responsible for registering radio and television receivers, collecting and recording subscription fees, and verifying their payment. Registration procedures can be completed online or at post offices nationwide.
Poczta Polska (Polish Post) inspects compliance with the obligation to register radio and television receivers pursuant to Article 7 of the License Fee Act and the provisions of the Code of Administrative Procedure, which specify how to conduct post-inspection proceedings for the purpose of issuing an administrative decision. It is important to note that no postman is authorized to conduct inspections of the obligation to register receivers! This is performed only by authorized employees of the Poczta Polska Financial Service Center. Inspectors must identify themselves during inspections, and the identification form is specified in the regulation.
As part of its responsibilities, Poczta Polska provides customer service (directly at branches, by telephone, and by correspondence). Explanatory letters, complaints, claims, and requests are reviewed at every stage of the case and proceedings. Each customer may use the appeal procedure provided for in the Code of Administrative Procedure or the Subscription Fees Act. In the case of ongoing enforcement proceedings, objections, complaints, and appeals may also be filed with the Provincial Administrative Court at any stage of the proceedings. Customers may submit applications for payment waivers and installment plans directly to the National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT).
Who does not have to pay a subscription fee?
Polish law strictly defines the categories of individuals eligible for exemption from subscription fees. The list includes, among others, individuals with a 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 receiver are exempt from paying license fees. These individuals are not required to register their eligibility for fee exemptions at post offices, as they are legally exempt from paying them. The condition is that the receiver is formally registered and Poczta Polska (Polish Post) has their PESEL (Personal Identification Number) information, which is the basis for granting the fee exemption.
Other persons who are entitled to exemption from fees should register their entitlement at any post office.
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 people with disabilities, a certificate from a competent authority is required. For visually impaired individuals, 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 exemption is valid from the first day of the month following the month in which the document confirming the exemption entitlement was presented at the post office. In the case of periodic exemptions, please remember to declare your entitlement for the next period. Failure to do so will result in the obligation to pay subscription fees for subsequent periods.
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.