Poland to enforce car radio fees with windshield photo inspections

Starting 22 May, Poland’s postal service (Poczta Polska) will carry out mass inspections of vehicles parked in public places. Controllers will photograph any radio receiver visible through the windshield along with the vehicle’s licence plate; the image serves as evidence to start enforcement proceedings for unpaid RTV (radio‑television) subscriptions.

For private households that already pay a domestic RTV fee, no additional charge for a car radio is required. Businesses, however, must pay a separate fee for each vehicle equipped with a receiver. The monthly charge for a car radio is 9.50 zł in 2026, rising to 10.80 zł in 2027. Penalties amount to 30 times the monthly fee – 285 zł in 2026 and 324 zł in 2027 – plus accrued arrears, and can be pursued by the tax office.

The new practice targets drivers who have avoided registering a radio receiver, especially those with company fleets, and aims to increase revenue collection for the state broadcaster.