Poland eases vehicle registration, ending plate‑removal requirement

From 10 June 2026 Poland’s Ministry of Infrastructure will no longer require drivers to bring licence plates to the registry when transferring ownership of a used vehicle that already bears a Polish number. A simple declaration that the plates are readable and retain a legalisation sticker will suffice.

Paper inspection certificates from vehicle‑control stations will also be unnecessary if the technical inspection record is available in the Central Vehicle Register. Vehicles equipped with a tow‑hook that is documented in the homologation papers will not need an additional technical test. By the end of June 2026 demolition stations will be able to destroy plates themselves when a vehicle is scrapped, removing the need for owners to deliver them to the office.

The reforms are part of a wider digitisation plan. Starting 18 January 2027 drivers will be able to submit registration applications online through the mObywatel app, and future changes will allow full electronic registration using data from EU‑wide vehicle registers. The government also announced a planned increase in registration‑related fees, roughly 15 % on average and up to three‑fold for personalized plates.