Polish allotment gardens face financial threat from new land fees

Family Allotment Gardens (ROD) in Poland are facing a financial crisis due to a legislative loophole regarding perpetual usufruct fees. While the 1995 Act originally intended to provide stability, a lack of specific rates for non-profit allotment gardens has allowed municipalities to begin imposing market-based fees.

Approximately 65% of ROD lands are held under perpetual usufruct. Some municipalities, such as Wieliczka, have already begun implementing these charges, which can significantly increase annual costs for individual gardeners. The Polish Allotment Gardeners Association (PZD) warns that if this practice spreads to major cities like Warsaw or Kraków, where land values are high, fees could exceed 1,000 PLN per year per plot.

The PZD has appealed to the Prime Minister for urgent intervention to prevent the economic collapse and potential liquidation of these gardens, which serve over 650,000 families. The issue has reached the Sejm as lawmakers consider the impact of these rising costs on residents.