OC Insurance Penalties in Poland • What Drivers Pay for Missing Coverage in 2026
If you own a vehicle in Poland, even a short break in third-party liability insurance (OC) can result in a financial penalty. Here are the actual numbers for year 2026.
Full Fee Schedule.
Passenger cars
This category applies to the vast majority of vehicle owners. The maximum penalty for a passenger car equals twice the Polish minimum wage.
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Over 14 days without OC: 9,610 PLN
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4–14 days without OC: 4,810 PLN
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Up to 3 days without OC: 1,920 PLN
Even a very short gap can therefore be costly.
Trucks, tractors and buses
Heavier vehicles are treated more strictly, which reflects their higher potential impact on Polish roads. Here, the full penalty equals three times the minimum wage in Poland.
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Over 14 days: 14,420 PLN
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4–14 days: 7,210 PLN
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Up to 3 days: 2,880 PLN
Motorcycles, mopeds and other vehicles
For smaller vehicles, the penalties are lower, but they are still enforced in the same way. The full fee corresponds to one-third of the minimum wage in Poland.
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Over 14 days: 1,600 PLN
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4–14 days: 800 PLN
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Up to 3 days: 320 PLN
Why OC penalties in Poland are so high
Many drivers assume that the Insurance Guarantee Fund (UFG) simply raises penalties when it feels like it. In reality, the system is much more rigid.
Under Polish law, OC penalties are directly linked to the minimum wage. Every year, the gross minimum wage in Poland is higher and this year it is 4,806 PLN, and that single figure determines all penalty thresholds.
The Act on Compulsory Insurance leaves the UFG no flexibility. Once the minimum wage is set, penalties are calculated automatically according to a statutory formula and then rounded to the nearest ten zlotys. There is no room for negotiation or discretion at this stage.
How missing OC insurance is detected in Poland
Despite common belief, most penalties are not issued during roadside checks. In Poland, enforcement happens mainly through data analysis.
The UFG uses an automated IT system that continuously compares:
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the national vehicle register (CEPiK), and
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insurance policy data submitted by insurers operating in Poland.
If the system detects even a one-day gap in insurance continuity, a penalty procedure can be initiated automatically.
The most frequent reasons drivers are fined include:
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assuming that an OC policy taken over from a previous owner will renew on its own (it does not under Polish rules),
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or believing that a vehicle not currently in use does not require insurance. In Poland, as long as the vehicle is registered, OC is mandatory.
What to do if you receive a penalty notice from the UFG in Poland
Getting a letter from the Insurance Guarantee Fund can be stressful, but it’s important to deal with it calmly and promptly.
First, check the dates listed in the notice. Errors do occur, particularly if an insurer failed to report policy data on time. If you had valid OC coverage during the period in question, send the UFG proof—usually a copy of the policy or a certificate of insurance is sufficient.
If you had already sold the vehicle, attach a copy of the sales agreement. In Poland, ownership status is decisive, and this document often resolves the issue quickly.
What you should not do is ignore the letter. Unpaid penalties are forwarded to the Urząd Skarbowy (Tax Office). This can mean enforcement proceedings, additional fees, and in some cases the freezing of bank accounts.
If the penalty is correct but your financial situation is genuinely difficult, Polish regulations allow you to apply for installment payments or, in exceptional cases, partial or full remission. Such applications must be supported by detailed documentation of income and expenses and are assessed individually.