# Poland Clean Air program fraud and subsidy disputes

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/poland-clean-air-program-fraud-legislation
> Updated: 2026-10-19T05:47:00.000Z. Sources: 13. Developments: 3.

The Polish Sejm has passed legislation to protect approximately 8,000 families from financial repercussions following fraud within the ‘Czyste Powietrze’ (Clean Air) program. The law addresses issues where dishonest thermal modernization contractors exploited pre-financing systems, taking advance payments without completing promised works.

Under the new regulations, the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFOŚiGW) may suspend or cancel outstanding debts for affected homeowners, provided that criminal proceedings are initiated against the fraudulent contractors. To qualify for relief, beneficiaries must report the fraud to law enforcement. Additionally, contractors convicted of crimes against beneficiaries will face a five-year ban from participating in such programs.

The Ministry of Climate and Environment reports that approximately 285 million PLN in unliquidated advances are currently at issue.

Following program reforms introduced in 2025, the program is facing increasing legal challenges. At least 81 lawsuits have been filed against provincial environmental protection funds (WFOŚiGW) by contractors and beneficiaries. These disputes center on the application of new cost limits and regulatory rules to investment contracts signed in 2023 and 2024. Contractors argue that funds are questioning investment costs based on new maximum rate tables that were not in effect when original agreements were made.

Geographically, the highest number of lawsuits has been filed against the fund in Kielce, with 14 cases each in Krakow, Warsaw, and Lublin. The NFOŚiGW reported that since mid-2024, over 37,000 inspections have been conducted, with approximately 12 percent resulting in financial consequences.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-19: Czyste Powietrze program faces over 80 lawsuits in Poland

Over 80 lawsuits have been filed against Poland's ‘Czyste Powietrze’ program funds due to disputes over subsidy settlements and the retroactive application of new cost limits to older contracts.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/czyste-powietrze-program-faces-over-80-lawsuits-in-poland

### 2026-10-12: Poland leads coalition to reform EU emissions trading system

Poland is leading a coalition of EU nations to reform the emissions trading system, seeking to make new climate taxes on heating and transport voluntary for member states.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/polands-sejm-passes-law-to-protect-clean-air-program-beneficiaries-from-fraud

### 2026-10-09: Poland Sejm passes law to aid families defrauded in Clean Air program

The Polish Sejm passed a law to help up to 8,000 families defrauded by contractors in the ‘Czyste Powietrze’ program, allowing for debt suspension and direct claims against scammers.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/poland-sejm-passes-law-to-aid-families-defrauded-in-clean-air-program

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Cite as: Poland Clean Air program fraud and subsidy disputes. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/poland-clean-air-program-fraud-legislation