This week in Poland
Poland's domestic news this week highlighted concerns over national security, with the Supreme Audit Office warning of serious cybersecurity gaps in critical infrastructure and new surveillance powers granted to security services. Politically, the Justice Minister addressed the Radosław Piesiewicz case, which a poll indicated was damaging to PiS, while the National Broadcasting Council issued a symbolic fine to journalist Stanowski. Internationally, Polish media covered Russia's planned troop mobilization and EU efforts to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine, alongside a US review of its troop presence in Europe.
About Poland
Poland, a pivotal Central European nation, boasts a rich history, vibrant culture, and a dynamic economy, making it a significant player in regional and global affairs. Its news coverage often reflects a deeply polarized media landscape, shaped by ongoing political divisions, though press freedom has seen improvements since the 2023 government change with efforts to restore public media independence.
Visiting Poland
Media landscape
Poland's media environment is characterized by a high degree of polarization, mirroring the country's political divisions. Recent government changes in 2023 have led to efforts aimed at restoring the independence of public media, contributing to an improved press freedom ranking.
To gain a comprehensive understanding of Polish affairs, it is advisable to consult a variety of sources across the political spectrum due to the polarized nature of the media.
Sources we track 2
Rusłan Szoszyn: How Vladimir Putin uses World War II to wage a new war, and is losing
Russian propaganda may once again tell its citizens that Poland was responsible for Germany’s 1939 invasion, while describing the Red Army’s entry into eastern Poland as a mission to save Belarusian a…
Czarzasty on war anniversary: No one attacked a united Europe
Włodzimierz Czarzasty used the anniversary of the outbreak of World War II to draw a line between historical memory and present-day choices. Speaking in Wieluń, he recalled how German bombers broke th…
Europe faces higher gas prices as Poland’s economy accelerates
European gas prices have climbed above 70 euros per megawatt-hour, adding pressure to energy companies, industry and households as the Middle East conflict intensifies and storage levels remain below …
Poland plans to disclose doctors’ bids in public healthcare tenders from 2027
Poland’s Health Ministry wants hospitals to publish not only signed contracts but also the bids doctors submit in competitions for publicly funded medical work. The proposed rules would take effect on…
87th anniversary of World War II outbreak: Nawrocki says Germany did not need Adolf Hitler to despise Poland
At 4:45 a.m., sirens sounded at Westerplatte, marking the moment German forces began shelling the Polish military outpost on Sept. 1, 1939. A Polish flag was raised to the national anthem, followed by…
When Is the Sale of Shares in Developed Land Exempt from VAT?
A municipality is seeking confirmation that a planned sale of shares in developed land can be exempt from VAT. The land interests were acquired through inheritance, based on a court decision confirmin…
White House Seeks to Sell a Slice of Yosemite Park to a Developer
The White House wants to resell a piece of Yosemite National Park to developer Jeff Pori. Pori wants to build a road connecting his luxury hotel with one of Yosemite’s main arteries. The proposed rout…
Russian Attack on Kyiv Kills Three; Pentagon Official Resigns; Świątek Reaches US Open Second Round
Kyiv came under a major overnight Russian attack involving drones and ballistic missiles, with city authorities reporting three deaths and four wounded, including children. The strikes set off fires a…
WSA: City council cannot order Kraków mayor to take specific actions
A Polish regional administrative court has ruled that a city council may set broad goals but cannot dictate how the mayor must resolve a specific matter. The case followed a challenge by the Lesser Po…
Polish drivers face costly fines and a forest of road signs, WEI report says
Poland’s traffic system has become a maze of signs, cameras and penalties that does not necessarily improve road safety, according to a new Warsaw Enterprise Institute report. The report counted 483 v…
Trump says he is considering a change in US policy on the Falklands
Donald Trump said the United States could change its position on the Falkland Islands, without explaining what that change might be. Asked whether he was considering a new stance on the South Atlantic…
Landmark ruling says anonymous online donations can qualify as gifts
Poland’s Supreme Administrative Court has rejected the tax authority’s insistence that an online donation must be linked to an identifiable person. The ruling opens the possibility of a different appr…
Municipality cannot overlook a late grant settlement
A Polish municipality cannot treat a volunteer fire service’s late grant settlement as a minor paperwork problem. An internal review found that about 20% of a targeted grant for equipment and supplies…
Canada Turns Away From Trump and Draws Closer to Europe
Mark Carney’s speech to the European Parliament on Sept. 16 has become a closely watched event, even though European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is also due to deliver her State of the U…
Polish plan to remove aggressive dogs and bar adoption faces criticism
A proposed Polish law would allow prosecutors to remove aggressive dogs from their owners after attacks, but lawyers say the plan could condemn the animals to indefinite shelter stays without adoption…
Can Unpaid Leave Delay an Employee’s Enrollment in PPK?
An employee can still be enrolled in Poland’s Employee Capital Plans system while on unpaid leave, but only if the person receives qualifying employment income during that month, according to the guid…
Kazakh Online Outlet Orda Shuts Down
Kazakh online publication Orda is closing after six years of investment failed to produce a return, its founder and first head, Maksat Ganiyev, said. Ganiyev said the outlet could earn money through t…
Michał Syska: September 1, 1939, a Warning to Future Generations
The September 1, 1939, invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany began what Michał Syska calls the most terrible armed conflict in history. Its suffering, deaths and destruction continue to shape generations…
Government Moves to Close Fuel-Stockpiling Loophole, Orlen and Unimot Back Changes
Poland’s government is preparing tougher rules for mandatory fuel reserves after monitoring found that some companies could avoid stockpiling obligations by moving activity between related businesses.…
No Longer Billions, but Trillions: Germany Has Driven Poland’s Economy for 20 Years
Germany has bought more than 5 trillion zlotys’ worth of goods from Poland since 2005, according to figures highlighted by Rzeczpospolita. The economic relationship has extended beyond trade. Poland h…
Letter to NFOŚiGW president over extended producer responsibility
Organizations representing producers of packaged goods have lodged a strong protest with the president of Poland’s National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management over comments made by…
Can Poland afford its current healthcare model?
Poland’s healthcare system will face a direct question at the 2026 Economic Forum in Karpacz: can the current model of organization and financing remain viable in the coming years? The three-day forum…
ORLEN launches nationwide campaign supporting children and young people
ORLEN is using the start of the school year to showcase a broad portfolio of programs for children and young people across Poland. Its nationwide “Energy for Children and Young People” campaign will r…
MSPO defense show set for record scale as Poland expands arms spending
This year’s International Defence Industry Exhibition in Kielce will be the largest in its history, with more than 1,200 exhibitors expected, including nearly 200 from Canada. Andrzej Mochoń, presiden…
RSV is more than a treatment and hospital problem
RSV is filling pediatric wards in Poland even though most children hospitalized with the infection had no previously defined risk factors for severe disease. More than 20,000 children under five were …
Meloni nears Berlusconi’s record, but the road ahead could be much harder
Giorgia Meloni is close to overtaking Silvio Berlusconi’s record for the longest uninterrupted Italian government, but the achievement may not guarantee an easier political future. Meloni took office …
Cheap fuel ends as drivers rush stations and supplies run short
The last day of cheaper fuel sent drivers across Poland to filling stations, with long lines reported in Warsaw and Zakopane. The rush coincided with the end of the summer holiday season, as tourists …
At G20 session, Poland’s finance minister names economic growth as the country’s overriding political goal
Poland’s finance and economy minister, Andrzej Domański, used a G20 growth session in Asheville to present economic expansion as the priority guiding all other policies in Warsaw. “Economic growth is …
Poland curtails more renewable energy as annual record is broken in seven months
Poland has already curtailed more renewable energy this year than it did throughout the whole of the previous year. By the end of July, Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne, the operator responsible for …
Journal of Laws of August 31, 2026, Items 1144-1151
Poland’s Journal of Laws dated August 31, 2026, includes eight items numbered 1144 through 1151. The listed measures include amendments from the education minister concerning pedagogical supervision. …
Poland Reach European Championship Volleyball Quarterfinals and Will Face the Netherlands
Poland’s women’s volleyball team overcame a shaky start to the third set and completed a 3-0 victory over Portugal in the European Championship round of 16. The Polish team entered the match as winner…
Polish soldiers will continue guarding railways after presidential and defence decision
Polish soldiers will continue patrolling and monitoring railway infrastructure through November 30 under an extension of Operation Horizon. The decision came from President Karol Nawrocki and Deputy P…
Telecom Sector Saves 1 Billion Zlotys in Recovery Funds, Now Brussels Must Decide
Poland’s telecom industry has reported broadband coverage for 544,030 homes, apparently clearing the target needed to protect more than 1 billion zlotys in recovery funds. Operators using the SIMBA in…
Polish schools face challenges enforcing new smartphone ban
Polish primary schools will soon have to enforce a smartphone ban without receiving dedicated tools from the education ministry, according to legal expert Robert Gałęski of Lexbridge. The rules, takin…
European veterinarians are exhausted and burned out: “I euthanized 2,500 chickens. It affects your mental health”
A French veterinarian says the daily responsibility for deciding who lives and dies can leave lasting psychological scars. She describes euthanizing 2,500 chickens and says the experience affects ment…
Michał Szułdrzyński: Morawiecki sees the Zondacrypto scandal as political gold
Mateusz Morawiecki wants a parliamentary inquiry into the Zondacrypto scandal, extending its proposed investigation back to 2019. The move could give the former prime minister a way to turn a politica…
How Andy Warhol Created His Own Legend
Andy Warhol’s legend began well before his most familiar pop-art images, and a new exhibition in Kraków focuses on that journey. “Andy Warhol. From Line to Legend” presents the artist’s working method…
Michał Ziemiak: Who Will Pay for Online Fraud? Don’t Ask the Victim
A scam victim should not have to untangle a chain involving a fake advertisement, a spoofed message, a telecom network and a bank before recovering stolen money. That is the central argument of Michał…
Nawrocki Says People Loyal to Moscow Hold Poland’s Highest Offices in 2026
President Karol Nawrocki used the anniversary of the signing of the August Agreements to accuse people who were “loyal to Moscow and the Polish United Workers’ Party” 46 years ago of now holding Polan…
Russia loses 80% of grain export capacity as emergency declared in Rostov region
Russia’s grain sector has lost most of its export capacity after drone attacks disrupted ports on the Sea of Azov and Black Sea, leaving farmers in a major producing region with nowhere to store or sh…
Itaka sets another record with 645 million złoty guarantee
Itaka will enter the next travel season with a 645 million złoty insurance guarantee, the largest ever issued for the Polish tour operator and the biggest such protection on Poland’s travel market. Th…
Remains of Famous Polish Resistance Fighters Found? Polonia Warsaw Legend May Be Among Them
A cemetery thought to hold the remains of 119 Polish prisoners and Warsaw Uprising fighters has been located on a Bundeswehr training ground in Altengrabow, Saxony-Anhalt, after years of searching. Re…
Poles Are Buying Cars Online Without Test Drives, Except for One Group
Buying a new car online no longer appears to worry most customers in Poland. The most expensive vehicle sold by Superauto.pl without a prior test drive or showroom visit was a Ferrari 296 GTB priced a…
Pirates return to Somali waters amid chaos from US-Iran war
Somali piracy is exploiting a new opening created by wider maritime tensions, according to Omar Mahmood, a senior Somalia analyst at the International Crisis Group. “Piracy is always a crime that expl…
Estera Flieger: Karol Nawrocki’s party
Polish politicians like to present themselves as representatives of young people, but Estera Flieger argues that the image may be more useful than the substance. Her commentary questions whether Presi…
Warsaw gives its all at the 15th Poland Business Run
Nearly 4,000 people gathered at Warsaw’s Bemowo Airport for a run where the finishing times mattered, but the money raised mattered more. The 15th Poland Business Run began at 9:30 a.m. after a joint …
Two strategies, one goal: Tusk relies on fear while Nawrocki listens
Donald Tusk and Karol Nawrocki used sharply different approaches to young voters over the political weekend. In Olsztyn, Tusk presented the choice as a confrontation between the Civic Coalition and th…
Italy faces demographic alarm as population set to shrink by 4 million in 25 years
Italy is heading toward a sharp demographic contraction. The country’s population is expected to fall by 4 million to 55 million by 2050, and then to 45.8 million by 2080, according to ISTAT. The decl…
Poland, Czechia and the disputed 368 hectares: Andrej Babiš calls it a “pseudo-scandal”
Andrej Babiš has dismissed a false territorial dispute involving Poland and Czechia as a “pseudo-scandal,” while criticizing Czech institutions for failing to alert him quickly. The disinformation cam…
Collegium Humanum Case Draws Five More Lawmakers Into Investigation
The Collegium Humanum investigation has reached further into Poland’s political class, with prosecutors seeking to lift the immunity of five politicians. The group includes Szymon Hołownia, Michał Kob…
Tauron to introduce monthly energy billing for solar prosumers from September
Polish households with rooftop solar connected to Tauron Dystrybucja will receive a different kind of energy bill from September 1, 2026. The company will stop relying on forecasts and calculate month…
“Crowds loved her”: Warsaw bids farewell to Wanda Traczyk-Stawska
Wanda Traczyk-Stawska was remembered in Warsaw as a woman who continued to encourage others until the end of her life. During her funeral Mass at Holy Cross Church, Warsaw Archbishop Adrian Galbas sai…
New technology lets drivers travel Polish motorways without holding the wheel
Ford’s BlueCruise system now allows drivers in Poland to travel on motorways without holding the wheel, although they must continue watching the road. The hands-off, eyes-on technology is available in…
Scientists identify the most effective diet in obesity study
A ketogenic diet produced the strongest results among three diets tested in a clinical study involving people with obesity, fatty liver disease and prediabetes. Researchers from Washington University …
Don’t Scare Businesses With Packaging Changes
Poland’s corrugated cardboard packaging sector is growing with e-commerce, but businesses face changes under the European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, known as PPWR. Grzegorz Hofm…
Poland should make August 31 a national day off, columnist argues
Poland already recognises August 31 as the Day of Solidarity and Freedom. Krzysztof Adam Kowalczyk argues that the date deserves more than a place on the state calendar: it should become a day off wor…
Algerian president seeks death penalty for arsonists
Algeria’s president has ordered the Justice Ministry to prepare death-penalty provisions for people convicted of deliberately setting fire to forests, following a wave of blazes that killed at least 1…
A Unique MBA Program at Silesian University of Technology
Silesian University of Technology is promoting an MBA designed for managers navigating energy and digital transformation. The program combines standard MBA subjects, including management, psychology, …
Body of Polish woman murdered in Ecuador to be brought home for autopsy
Polish prosecutors will bring home the body of Monika Silva Veras, also known as Monika Koniuszek, after Ecuadorian authorities confirmed they were ready to release it. Specialists at the Medical Univ…
Two Men Charged in Nationality-Motivated Beating of 15-Year-Old Ukrainian in Łódź
A 15-year-old Ukrainian boy was allegedly attacked in Łódź simply because of his nationality, according to city police. The assault took place at Stawy Stefańskiego in late June 2026, after a verbal c…
Polish Survey Finds Fewer Than Half Back Tusk Government's Tax Changes
Poland's proposed tax changes have put President Karol Nawrocki in a politically exposed position, although support for signing the legislation remains below half in a new poll. The government, led by…
Polish police launch nationwide road checks targeting seven safety risks
Polish police are sending extra officers onto roads around Warsaw for a speed-control operation that will examine much more than speedometers. The “Safe Speed 2026” campaign will target routes enterin…
PiS to lose funds as Mateusz Morawiecki’s Rozwój Plus gains parliamentary resources
The formation of Mateusz Morawiecki’s Rozwój Plus club will change both the seating plan and the flow of parliamentary resources when Poland’s Sejm returns from its summer break on September 2. The ne…
Poland Should Make Greater Use of Maria Skłodowska-Curie in Promoting the Country
Poland has an exceptional ambassador for its achievements in Maria Skłodowska-Curie, but the country is not using her potential enough, according to Barbara Gołębiowska, director of the scientist's mu…
Russia loses an ally, but Moscow remains dependent on Armenia
Armenia no longer wants to describe its relationship with Moscow as a “strategic partnership,” but Yerevan is not calling for the closure of Russia’s military base, according to the article’s framing.…
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 pressu…
Seven things we did not know a week ago
The weekly review highlights several recent scientific findings and warnings. It points to research on the benefits of the keto diet, discoveries near mysterious cosmic red dots and advice against loo…
Homebuyers Flock to Warsaw Area as Demand Falls Around Łódź
Poland’s suburban housing markets are moving in sharply different directions. Developers sold almost 2,400 homes in the Warsaw metropolitan area during the first half of the year, a 17% increase from …
Will the Ministry Take Over the Museum of Literature? Cienkowska Awaits an Answer as Councillor Michalec Starts a New Job
Poland’s Ministry of Culture says an invitation to the marshal remains open as uncertainty continues around the Museum of Literature. The brief update asks whether the ministry’s position could bring …
More Developers Turn Optimistic as They Bet on Stronger Home Sales
Confidence among Poland’s property developers has improved sharply in just two months. In August, 57.5% of surveyed companies expected housing sales to rise in the coming months, while only 4.7% predi…
New obligations for companies aim to stop liability being shifted onto small clinics
Poland’s response to the MyDr cyberattack is turning toward the contracts that govern data processing. Deputy Digital Affairs Minister Dariusz Standerski said responsibility in one arrangement remaine…
Government Moves CzechTourism to Economy Ministry, but Tourism Industry Says It Is Not Enough
The Czech government plans to move CzechTourism, the agency responsible for promoting tourism, from the Ministry of Regional Development to the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Czech businesses support…
Norwegian 14-year-old steals a fourth bus but will not face trial
A 14-year-old in Norway has allegedly stolen four buses in less than a year, including one he drove 300 kilometers to Kristiansand. Police detained the boy in Oslo on Friday, Aug. 28, after a passenge…
Weather Breaks Down Across Poland as Rain and Hailstorms Move In
A new weather front moving from west to east will bring unsettled conditions across Poland on Monday, with rain, thunderstorms and hail in parts of the country. The southeast and east face the greates…
More Than 100 Deportees Sent to Africa by the United States in 10 Days
More than 100 people facing deportation were sent from the United States to African countries within 10 days, including people who had never lived in the countries receiving them. Official documents s…
A Mazovia exhibition unlike any before
The Masovian Museum in Płock is preparing a major exhibition on the medieval history of Mazovia as the centerpiece of celebrations marking the region’s 500th anniversary within the Kingdom of Poland. …
Berlin prepares new Russia sanctions as U.S. moves to control Venezuelan oil
Germany is preparing to take a harder line against Russia, according to information cited in the daily “Twój Biznes” podcast. Chancellor Friedrich Merz is considering direct measures against Russian e…
Julita Karaś-Gasparska: When a ticket can replace an invoice in Poland’s e-invoicing system
A train or coach ticket may still serve as an invoice in Poland, even as businesses move toward the National e-Invoicing System, known as KSeF. The exception reflects the practical difficulty of proce…
An Interest-Free Loan Can Count as a Tax-Free Benefit
An interest-free or low-interest loan from an employer does not automatically create a tax bill for the employee. Its treatment depends on whether the employer meets specific conditions. Polish person…
What Will Change in Polish Schools From September 1? Key Information for Students and Parents
Polish schools are preparing for one of the country’s largest education changes in years, but the reform will not reach every student at once. The 2026/27 school year begins the rollout of “Reforma26.…
Tax Cooperation Tools: Who Can Use Them and How They Work
Dealing with Poland’s tax authorities does not have to mean waiting for uncertainty or inspections, according to an overview of cooperation tools available to companies. The Cooperation Programme and …
Self-invoicing in Poland’s KSeF: How to issue and approve invoices
Under Poland’s self-invoicing arrangements, the parties must decide how invoices issued through the National e-Invoicing System, known as KSeF, will be approved. That decision must come before the inv…
Putin Does Not Need the CIA Chief to Understand the State of Russia’s Economy
The piece takes a pointed view of speculation about CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s discussions in Moscow, suggesting that he may have tried to make Russian officials confront the poor state of their ec…
Lawyer: Amending Public Procurement Rules Will Not End Disputes Over Abnormally Low Bids
Poland’s proposed public procurement amendment would remove the 30 percent threshold that currently triggers a mandatory review of an unusually low bid. The threshold does not define an abnormally low…
Residential rentals are exempt from VAT
Residential premises rented to private individuals solely for housing purposes qualify for a VAT exemption, according to an individual interpretation issued by Poland’s National Tax Information direct…
Hungary Scrambles Fighter Jets After Drunk 24-Year-Old Flies Stolen Plane Toward Nuclear Plant
Hungary scrambled two Gripen fighter jets after a stolen light aircraft headed toward the Paks nuclear power plant, turning an alleged drunken joyride into a military alert. The 24-year-old man report…
Supreme Court Chief Says He Is Ready to Meet and Work With Justice Minister Żurek
Zbigniew Kapiński says he is ready to sit down with Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek, even as Żurek questions whether Kapiński is a lawful Supreme Court judge and first president. Kapiński has spent se…
Polish municipalities face risk of an investment freeze
Poland’s planning overhaul could leave parts of the country unable to approve new construction from September 1. Building investments will then be possible only in areas covered by general plans or lo…
When a buyer’s payment does not yet count as income
A payment from a buyer does not automatically become taxable income when it reaches the seller’s account. Partial payments made before the final delivery of equipment may remain tax-neutral if they ge…
US Attacks Iran for First Time in a Month, Tehran Retaliates
The United States has carried out its first attack on Iran in a month, targeting launchers that Washington said were being prepared to mine waters near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded with missil…
Poles See Retirement as a Choice Between Desire and Financial Necessity
Polish workers want to retire earlier than they expect to, revealing a gap between their preferred lifestyle and their financial calculations. Women surveyed said they would ideally stop working at 58…
Managers Face Triple Pressure from AI, Hybrid Work and New Regulations
Hybrid work has changed the manager’s job from coordinating people in one place to maintaining communication, cohesion and performance across offices and homes. A new Eurofound report describes that s…
Marek A. Cichocki: Two Memories of September 1
September 1, 1939, carries two markedly different memories in Poland and Germany, according to Marek A. Cichocki. In Poland, the outbreak of World War II stands among the defining dates of the 20th ce…
Michał Szułdrzyński: It Is Time for a Global Poland, the Best Version of Itself
Poland should no longer search for another country to copy, Michał Szułdrzyński argues. Its ambition, he writes, should be to become the best version of itself. Thirty-seven years after the fall of co…
Poll shows Poles lukewarm on Morawiecki’s Rozwój Plus launch
Mateusz Morawiecki’s new political initiative has not stirred strong feelings among Poles, according to a poll conducted for Rzeczpospolita. The survey examined public reactions during Rozwój Plus’s f…
Syrian immigrant and German politician: “I will not be driven out of my Saxony-Anhalt”
A Syrian immigrant who became a German politician says he will not be forced out of the eastern German state where he has built his life, as the far-right Alternative for Germany promises mass deporta…
Sosnowiec mayor: Demographic decline is already entering primary schools
Sosnowiec is beginning to feel the demographic decline in its primary schools. About 1,200 seven-year-olds are due to start first grade, compared with slightly more than 1,300 last year. Mayor Arkadiu…
Local Government Revenue Reform Needs Evaluation Now
Polish local-government officials say the country cannot afford to postpone an evaluation of its revenue-sharing law, warning that delayed corrections could make future reforms more expensive. Marek W…
Weekly Briefing: Key Deadlines, Indicators and Rates for Aug. 31 to Sept. 6, 2026
The weekly briefing for Aug. 31 to Sept. 6, 2026, brings together dates, financial indicators and rates intended for accountants, taxpayers and human resources professionals. It also points to legisla…
A Rail Revolution in Mazovia
Koleje Mazowieckie has grown from a regional operator using leased trains into Poland’s third-largest passenger rail company. More than 70 million passengers used its services last year, giving it abo…
