Almost half a million households in Poland gained the right to be exempted from the RTV subscription. The revolutionary change, which came into force in January 2025, raised the income threshold entitling to a relief by over PLN 500. As a result, millions of Poles, mainly seniors, can legally save almost 330 PLN per year. The problem is that the change has passed almost without an echo, and most of the entitled inactive do not know about their fresh rights.
The fresh rules are a direct consequence of an increase in average wage in the economy. This increase automatically increased the income limit on which the exemption from the audiovisual fee depends. This is key information for all those who were so far just above the threshold and had to regulate a fee of PLN 27.30 all month. Now that money can stay in their wallets. It is worth checking whether changes apply to you – the procedure is simple and the savings are real.
New income threshold. Who precisely has the right to be released?
The key change concerns the amount of the monthly gross income that entitles to the exemption from the RTV subscription. Even in 2024 this limit was much lower. Since January 2025, thanks to the connection of the threshold to the average wage figures of the Central Statistical Office, this limit has risen by PLN 513.
Pensioners and pensioners whose gross monthly benefit can now benefit from a fee exemption does not exceed PLN 4090.86. In comparison, last year the threshold was PLN 3577.86. This means that the pensioner, who had to pay a subscription in December with a pension of PLN 3600 gross, is now completely exempt from this obligation. yearly savings are precisely PLN 327,60which for many household budgets is an unacceptable amount.
This change concerns millions of Poles who have not yet qualified for relief. It is worth noting that the exemption is not granted automatically (except for 1 group, as described below). An appropriate application must be submitted to the post office on its own.
The list of eligible is long. See if you're on it.
Although the largest group of beneficiaries are pensioners with low benefits, the list of persons entitled to leave the RTV subscription is much wider. It is worth checking carefully whether we are in 1 of the privileged groups.
The peculiar situation is those who aged 75. In their case, the exemption shall take place automatically, ex officio. The Polish Post Office itself removes specified a individual from the registry of payers. However, there is simply a trap: the condition for automatic release is the earlier registration of the receiver. If the elder never recorded a tv or radio, the strategy “does not see” it and the relief will not be counted.
In addition to seniors, the right to exemption from fees besides includes:
- Persons in the 1st disabled group.
- Veterans who are disabled by war or military.
- Persons aged 60 years and entitled to a pension, whose amount does not exceed PLN 4090.86 per period gross.
- Deaf persons with full deafness or bilateral proceeding impairment.
- Blind persons whose visual acuity does not exceed 15%.
- Unemployed persons registered with the Labour Office.
- Persons receiving a care allowance or peculiar care allowance.
How do you step by step get your release? Simple Instructions
If you meet the income criteria or belong to 1 of the qualified groups, the procedure for obtaining the exemption is very simple and does not require complex formalities. Just 1 visit to the nearest Polish Post Office.
To complete the formalities, you must take with you identity card and paper confirming entitlement to release. In the case of pensioners and pensioners, this will be the last episode of the pension or decision of the Social Insurance Institution on the amount of the benefit. another groups should submit an appropriate judgement or certificate (e.g. from the office of employment).
On site, a message individual will ask you to fill in a short “Services to meet the conditions for exemption from subscription fees”. After it's folded, the exemption shall apply from the first day of the period following that in which the papers were lodged. In case of any doubts, the Polish Post Office has launched a peculiar hotline at the number (43) 842 06 06 06, active on working days from 8:00 to 20:00.
Checks and penalties. Is there anything to be afraid of?
There's quite a few myths around subscription checks. The fact is, private home checks are rare. Throughout Poland there are only a fewer twelve Polish Post Office controllers, and their activities focus mainly on companies and institutions. Most importantly, the citizen is not obliged to let the controller in the house. The entrance to the flat without the owner's approval is impossible.
However, if the check is made, the controller must show his business card, clearance for inspection and identity card. The specified possession of a tv in the basement is not the basis for imposing a punishment – it must be efficient and let reception of the signal. Nevertheless, sanctions for deficiency of registration and charges are severe. The punishment for usage of an unregistered receiver is 30 times the monthly fee, i.e. 819 PLN. Additionally, the Polish Post Office may incur late fees for up to 5 years back.
What about the subscription? Government announces liquidation by 2026
The current subscription strategy is widely criticised as obsolete and ineffective. statistic are ruthless: only 32% of households in Poland regularly pay subscriptions. The government announces a thorough improvement and complete elimination of the fee in its current form by 2026.
Two main scenarios are being considered. The first assumes the complete abolition of the subscription and financing of public media straight from the state budget. The second, more likely, is the introduction of a general, low audiovisual fee of about 9 PLN per month. It would be charged automatically with income taxation (PIT) or insurance premium (KRUS), which would destruct the problem of control and low recovery. For now, however, current regulations are in force, and thanks to fresh income limits, hundreds of thousands of Poles can legally avoid fees and save respective 100 PLN per year.
Continued here:
The government raised the key limit by PLN 513. Millions of Poles no longer gotta pay RTV subscription
