Top News of the Week: CUKR Trap, Taxation Changes, New Fines
Top news of the week: CUKR trap, taxation changes, new fines. All the most important without the hype!
The weekly news review of October 12, 2026, covers several key topics concerning foreigners in Poland, tax policy, and road safety.
The CUKR Card Trap and Unemployment
On October 8th, the "Ukrainian House" Foundation approached two ombudsmen – for human rights and for children's rights – regarding a potential issue with the CUKR card (Center for Citizen and Legal Services). According to changes in the labor market law, which will come into effect in March 2025, holders of the CUKR card are not listed among foreigners eligible to register as unemployed. This creates a "loophole" that could deprive them of the opportunity to officially register as unemployed.
This situation has financial implications, particularly for receiving the child benefit of 800 PLN. For foreigners, this benefit is linked to professional activity. Those who have lost their jobs but registered as unemployed can continue to receive the benefit for three months (or six months if they have three children). At the same time, CUKR card holders will not have such protection. The problem lies in the fact that the CUKR status did not exist at the time the original list was compiled, and its absence could lead to people "falling through the cracks" in the legislation. The Foundation has filed an appeal requesting the inclusion of the CUKR status in the list, but a response has not yet been received. It is expected that changes may take a considerable amount of time.
Processing Times for Residence Permits
On October 5th, official data regarding the processing times for residence permit applications was published. In the Pomeranian Voivodeship, the average waiting time is 598 days, and in the Silesian Voivodeship, it is 658 days, which is the worst figure nationwide. In 2025, over 509,000 applications for temporary residence were submitted across Poland, of which approximately 417,000 have been processed. Over 50,000 cases (12%) remain incomplete. It is assumed that this large influx of applications is the cause of the delays.
Tax Changes from 2027
From 2027, changes are expected in personal income tax (PIT) and the introduction of a progressive tax scale. According to the draft approved by the government, the PIT rates will be as follows:
- Up to PLN 130,000 – 12%
- From PLN 130,000 to PLN 150,000 – 24%
- Over PLN 150,000 – 32%
The tax-free allowance will remain at PLN 30,000.
More significant changes will affect the lump-sum tax (ryczałt). The threshold for applying this tax will be reduced from EUR 2 million to EUR 250,000. The calculation of eligibility for the lump-sum tax in 2027 will be based on income from 2026. Those who exceed this threshold in 2026 will not be able to use the lump-sum tax in the following year. During 2027, if income exceeds EUR 300,000, a 17% tax will be charged on the excess amount, and from 2028, the right to the lump-sum tax will be lost. It is recommended to consult with tax specialists regarding business matters. The bill is expected to be published in the Sejm by the end of November to take effect from January 1st.
New Speeding Fines
Starting October 8th, a Ministry of Infrastructure project will come into effect, which provides for the automatic payment of fines by the vehicle owner if the driver does not respond to a notification within 30 days. This applies to cases where the driver ignores or does not receive a fine notification. If the vehicle was transferred to another person and they did not accept the fine, the responsibility falls on the owner. This is an administrative penalty, not associated with penalty points, but challenging it will be difficult. The only exception is proof that at the time of the violation, the vehicle was in the possession of another person. Speeding fines range from 100 PLN for exceeding the speed limit by up to 30 km/h to 7,500 PLN for exceeding it by more than 71 km/h.
Record Return Decisions in Silesian Voivodeship
In the first nine months of 2026, the Silesian Border Guard Unit issued 2,025 decisions obligating return (deportation). This exceeds the total number of such decisions for the entire previous year (2,002). This statistic reflects a general trend towards stricter controls and a less tolerant attitude towards violations that might have previously been overlooked.
Tax Refund Scam
The Tax Administration has warned about fraudulent letters impersonating messages from the tax office. These letters claim that an automatic check of the tax return revealed an overpayment and ask the user to click a link to confirm their data. The scammers' goal is to steal bank details, PESEL and NIP numbers, as well as online banking login credentials and two-factor authentication codes. It is recommended not to enter personal data via links from suspicious emails.
Contribution of Ukrainian Refugees to Poland's GDP
According to a UN and Deloitte report from October 7, Ukrainian refugees contributed 2.4% to Poland's GDP in 2023, amounting to approximately 94 billion PLN. The employment rate among Ukrainians (76%) is slightly higher than among Poles. However, only 42% of Ukrainians work under standard employment contracts, compared to 80% of Poles. The average salary of Ukrainians is about 65% of the country's overall average wage. Health insurance contributions from Ukrainians exceeded healthcare service expenditures by approximately 2.8 billion PLN.
Restoration of Social Guarantees
The Senate is preparing a bill to restore social and medical guarantees for the most vulnerable categories of the population who were previously deprived of these rights. It is expected that the changes will be softened, taking into account the identified need.
Changes for Drivers at Railway Crossings
The Sejm has adopted changes for drivers, which provide for an automatic three-month suspension of driving licenses for four types of violations at railway crossings. Previously, such violations incurred 15 penalty points and a fine of PLN 2,000. The bill has been sent to the Senate.
Protest "Stop Aggression Against People from Ukraine"
On October 19, a protest titled "Stop Aggression Against People from Ukraine" will take place in Warsaw at the Copernicus monument on Krakowskie Przedmieście. The action, organized by the Warsaw branch of the Razem party and the Otwarty Dom organization, is directed against cases of aggression towards Ukrainians, particularly due to the use of the Ukrainian language. As part of the protest, a signature collection for a petition to the city council is planned.
CUKR Trap and Unemployment Registration
The CUKR card may deprive foreigners of the right to register as unemployed, affecting benefits such as the 800+ child benefit. The Ukrainian House Foundation has appealed to the ombudsmen to include the status of CUKR cardholders in the list of persons eligible for unemployment registration.
- From March 2025, the labor market law does not include CUKR cardholders in the list of foreigners who can register as unemployed.
- This creates a loophole, due to which CUKR cardholders will not be able to register as unemployed.
- Losing unemployed status may deprive foreigners of the right to receive the 800+ child benefit, which is linked to professional activity.
- The Ukrainian House Foundation has filed an appeal requesting the inclusion of CUKR status in the list of persons eligible for unemployment registration.
Delays in issuing temporary residence permits
The average waiting time for a temporary residence permit (karta pobytu) in Poland has significantly increased. In the Pomeranian Voivodeship, it is 598 days, and in the Silesian Voivodeship, it is 658 days. In 2025, over 509,000 applications for temporary residence were submitted, of which over 50,000 (12%) are still unprocessed.
- The average processing time for temporary residence applications in the Pomeranian Voivodeship is 598 days.
- In the Silesian Voivodeship, the average processing time is 658 days.
- In 2025, over 509,000 applications for temporary residence were submitted in Poland.
- Approximately 417,000 applications have been processed, but over 50,000 (12%) remain incomplete.
Decrease in Internet Hate and the Role of Bot Farms
A decrease in anti-Ukrainian and anti-Polish comments online is observed, which may be related to bot farm activity. The author notes that most negative comments are generated artificially.
- After events related to Yandex servers in Russia, the number of negative comments online decreased.
- The author suggests that a significant portion of negative comments (around 98%) are generated by bot farms.
- The periodic appearance and disappearance of a large number of similar comments is noted.
Taxation Changes from 2027
Starting in 2027, changes are planned for PIT taxation and the introduction of a simplified tax (ryczałt). PIT rates will change: 12% up to PLN 130,000, 24% from PLN 130,000 to PLN 150,000, and 32% above PLN 150,000. For the simplified tax, the income limit is reduced from EUR 2 million to EUR 250,000.
- From 2027, new PIT rates are planned: 12% (up to PLN 130,000), 24% (PLN 130,000–150,000), 32% (above PLN 150,000).
- The tax-free allowance (PLN 30,000) remains unchanged.
- The limit for applying the simplified tax (ryczałt) is reduced from EUR 2 million to EUR 250,000.
- Eligibility for the simplified tax in 2027 will be calculated based on 2026 income.
- Those exceeding EUR 300,000 in 2027 will pay 17% on the excess and lose the right to the simplified tax from 2028.
- The law must be published in the Sejm by the end of November to take effect from January 1st.
New rules for paying speeding tickets
A new mechanism for paying speeding tickets is introduced: if the driver does not respond to the notification within 30 days, the fine is automatically paid by the owner or registered user of the car. This applies to administrative penalties without penalty points.
- The car owner will automatically pay the speeding ticket if the driver does not respond to the notification within 30 days.
- This applies to administrative penalties, not fines in the classic sense (without penalty points).
- Challenging such a penalty will be more difficult.
- The only exception is proof that the car did not belong to or was not used by the person at the time of the violation.
- Fines range from 100 PLN (up to 30 km/h over the limit) to 7500 PLN (over 71 km/h over the limit).
Record number of deportations in the Silesian Voivodeship
In the Silesian Voivodeship, 2025 decisions on return obligations (deportations) were issued in the first nine months of 2025, exceeding the figure for the entire previous year (2002 decisions). The author emphasizes that these figures do not apply only to Ukrainians and reflect a general trend of tightening controls.
- In the first nine months of 2025, 2025 return obligation (deportation) decisions were issued in the Silesian Voivodeship.
- This is more than for the entire year 2024 (2002 decisions).
- The author emphasizes that these figures do not apply exclusively to Ukrainians and are manipulative if presented as such.
- This statistic reflects a general trend of tightening controls and a less tolerant attitude towards violations.
Fraud with fake tax refund emails
The tax administration warns about fraudulent emails impersonating messages from the tax office. These emails report a tax overpayment and ask to click a link for data verification, which can lead to the theft of personal information and bank card details.
- Fake emails are being distributed, posing as messages from the Tax Office.
- The emails report an automatic tax return check and an identified overpayment.
- Scammers ask to click a link for data verification to steal card details, PESEL, NIP, account number, and two-factor authentication codes.
- It is necessary to exercise caution and not enter personal data via links from suspicious emails.
Contribution of Ukrainian refugees to the Polish economy
According to a UN and Deloitte report, Ukrainian refugees contributed 2.4% to Poland's GDP in 2023 (approximately 94 billion PLN). The employment rate among Ukrainians (76%) is higher than among Poles, however, they are more likely to work under non-standard contracts and receive below-average wages. Health insurance contributions exceeded service costs by 2.8 billion PLN.
- Ukrainian refugees contributed 2.4% to Poland's GDP in 2023 (approximately 94 billion PLN).
- The employment rate among Ukrainians is 76%, which is higher than among Poles.
- Only 42% of Ukrainians work under standard employment contracts (compared to 80% of Poles).
- The median salary of Ukrainians is about 65% of the overall median salary.
- Health insurance contributions from Ukrainians exceeded healthcare service costs by 2.8 billion PLN.
Restoration of Social and Medical Guarantees
The Senate is preparing a bill to restore social and medical guarantees for the most vulnerable categories of citizens who were previously deprived of them. It is expected that these changes will be mitigated considering the needs.
- The Senate is preparing a bill to restore social and medical guarantees for vulnerable categories.
- These guarantees were previously canceled for some population groups.
- It is expected that the changes will be mitigated if necessary.
Changes for drivers: license suspension at railway crossings
The Sejm adopted changes for drivers: automatic three-month license suspension for four types of violations at railway crossings. Previously, this required 15 penalty points and a fine of 2000 PLN. The law has been sent to the Senate.
- The Sejm adopted changes providing for an automatic three-month suspension of driving licenses for four types of violations at railway crossings.
- Previously, such violations incurred 15 penalty points and a fine of 2000 PLN.
- The law will be sent to the Senate for further consideration.
Protest against aggression in Warsaw
On October 19, a protest "Stop aggression against people from Ukraine" will take place in Warsaw at the Copernicus monument. The organizers - the Razem party and the Otwarty Dom organization - plan to collect signatures for a petition to the city council in connection with cases of aggression directed against Ukrainians, especially children and adolescents, due to the use of the Ukrainian language.
- On October 19, a protest "Stop aggression against people from Ukraine" will be held in Warsaw.
- Location: Copernicus monument on Krakowskie Przedmieście.
- Organizers: the Warsaw branch of the Razem party and the Otwarty Dom organization.
- Purpose of the protest: collecting signatures for a petition to the city council in connection with aggression against Ukrainians, especially children and adolescents, due to the Ukrainian language.