Every Pole pays a fresh tax? alternatively of the RTV subscription, there will be a media tax

Polish public media backing system it can shortly undergo fundamental reform. In consequence to the chronic shortage of funds resulting from the ineffective collection of RTV subscriptions, legislators are working on a fresh audiovisual feewhich would cover almost all adult Poles. Although the proposal is controversial, its introduction may mean end of fictional systemwho has been inactive for years.

Why is the current strategy not working?

Existing model based on registration work radio and tv receiversin practice became voluntary. In 2025 the monthly fee is 27.30 zł per TV and PLN 8.70 per radiowhich translates into a maximum yearly amount PLN 327,60 for a household. However, avoiding registration of devices and limited effectiveness of control of the Polish Post Office make the subscription proceeds lower and lower.

Effect? expanding dependence of public media on subsidies from the state budget, which raises concerns about their independence and the anticipation to carry out a public mission.

How will the fresh audiovisual fee work?

As proposed, the fresh fee would be approx. 9 PLN per individual per month, which is PLN 108 per year. Key change There's a departure from the connection of the tribute to having a receiver. The fee would be compulsory for all citizens aged 26 to 75whether they usage public media services.

That means for example. family of four she could pay a year even PLN 432, which is over 100 PLN more than now, which will peculiarly hit multigenerational households.

New collection strategy – end of Polish Post, time for taxation offices

The proposal besides provides for a completely fresh collection mechanics – the fee would enforce tax office, integrated into the taxation system. That means practical elimination of payment avoidanceand thus a crucial increase in revenue. This solution has already been successfully implemented by another countries, among others. Germany, France or Sweden.

Thanks to this public media would gain a unchangeable and predictable origin of funding, which would enable them to plan long-term activities and become independent of political decisions on grants.

Who won't pay? List of exceptions

Projectors predicted a wide catalogue exemptions from the fresh charge. The following are to be excluded from the work to pay:

• persons Unemployed,
• persons earning below minimum wage,
• patients with disability (especially deafness),
• pensioners and persons over 75 years of age,
• students and students up to the age of 26,
• and another persons in hard material circumstances.

This solution aims to Protection of economically weakest groups, which can alleviate social concerns about the introduction of a universal obligation.

International inspirations: how do others do it?

Poland is not the only country looking for fresh models of public media financing. Looking at abroad examples:

• Germany: Each household pays a fixed fee for public media – regardless of having a receiver.
• France: Over the years, the audiovisual fee has been linked to the property tax.
• Sweden: in 2019 she introduced universal media taxby eliminating the subscription.

These models show that link of charge to taxation system enhance the efficiency and financial stableness of public institutions.

Arguments for: end of fiction, better public media

Reformers indicate that the current strategy does not correspond to the reality of digital content consumption. In the days of smartphones, tablets and computers, public content is available everywhere, and limiting fees to tv holders is anachronism.

A common fee would ensure:

• fairer and more modern funding,
• independence from budgetary grants,
• better conditions for a social mission by public media,
• stability and predictability of receipts.

Criticism: A fresh undercover tax?

However, there is no shortage of criticism. The opponents of the fresh solution inform that a common audiovisual fee is simply a de facto fresh tax. In the current economical situation, this may come up with social resistance, especially from those who do not usage the public media offer.

There are besides doubts about:

• lack of relation between charge and service use,
• options politicisation of the collection through a link to the taxation system,
• lack of clarity about spending of the funds collected.

What's next? The future of the strategy remains open

Bye. National Broadcasting Council decided to keep current subscription rates, suggesting that change will not be implemented soon. However, experts clearly indicate that the subject will return – due to the fact that the current model does not guarantee long-term stability.

Faced with the expanding digitalisation and declining subscription recovery, the improvement of public media backing seems inevitable.. The question is no longer ‘if’, but ‘when and how’ will be carried out.