High fuel costs push thousands of Polish taxi businesses deeper into debt

Poland’s taxi sector is shrinking while the debts of the businesses that remain continue to grow. Unpaid liabilities reached 59.2 million zlotys, up from 55.7 million zlotys in August 2025.

The pressure reflects a decade of change in passenger transport. App-based drivers and platforms have steadily displaced traditional taxis, limiting the number of companies operating in the sector. Dun & Bradstreet counted about 49,000 businesses at the beginning of 2026. More than 1,600 closed during 2025, followed by another 1,200 in the first half of 2026.

The average debt per business increased by 2,200 zlotys over the past year to 22,700 zlotys. The number of debtors fell by 4%, or 105 companies, but Adam Łącki, president of the National Debt Register, said the decline did not necessarily signal a healthier market. “There are fewer indebted taxi companies in the register than a year ago, but those that remain have an increasingly serious problem,” he said.

Sole proprietorships make up the largest group of indebted businesses. The 1,900 companies in that category account for nearly three-quarters of the sector’s debtors and owe 33.3 million zlotys. Their average liability is 17,400 zlotys.

Commercial companies are fewer, numbering 692 indebted firms, but they owe 26 million zlotys. Their average debt is more than twice as high, at 37,600 zlotys. Fuel costs have added to the strain, rising 15.8% year on year and 13.9% from June in July 2026. The article’s description warns that the end of the government’s “Lower Fuel Prices” program in early September could lead to further debt and more closures.

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There are fewer indebted taxi companies in the register than a year ago, but those that remain have an increasingly serious problem.