Poland
| Question | Value |
|---|---|
1. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to political parties? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Donations may be transferred to a political party only by Polish citizens having permanent place of residence in the Republic of Poland. This applies to both financial and in-kind donations. Source
Article 25.1, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 25.4a, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) |
2. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to candidates? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Election campaigns are conducted and financed exclusively through election committees, not individual candidates. Committees in particular conduct campaigns for candidates and manage the entirety of the related financial economy. For these reasons this question is answered through the lens of the provisions dedicated to election committees. The Election Code explicitly lists the permitted sources of financial donations to committees, and foreign interests are not mentioned among them. Furthermore, in-kind donations are only allowed from natural persons, while in the cases of committee of organization or voters, there is an explicit sanction for accepting such a donation from a person other than a Polish citizen with permanent residence in Poland. Source
Article 84 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 126, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point 2, page 2, Wyjaśnienia dotyczące zasad finansowania kampanii wyborczej w wyborach Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza 2025 (Clarifications regarding the principles of financing the election campaign in the election of the President of the Republic of Poland, National Election Commission 2025) Article 132 § 1-4, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 132 § 5, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 133, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 506, point 6, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) |
3. Is there a ban on corporate donations to political parties? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Donations may be transferred to a political party only by Polish citizens having permanent place of residence in the Republic of Poland. This applies to both financial and in-kind donations. Source
Article 25.1, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 25.4a, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) |
4. Is there a ban on corporate donations to candidates? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Election campaigns are conducted and financed exclusively through election committees, not individual candidates. Committees in particular conduct campaigns for candidates and manage the entirety of the related financial economy. For these reasons this question is answered through the lens of the provisions dedicated to election committees. The Election Code explicitly lists the permitted sources of financial and in-kind donations to committees, and corporate donations are not mentioned among them. As a result, corporate donations to election committees are prohibited Source
Article 84 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 126, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point 2, page 2, Wyjaśnienia dotyczące zasad finansowania kampanii wyborczej w wyborach Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza 2025 (Clarifications regarding the principles of financing the election campaign in the election of the President of the Republic of Poland, National Election Commission 2025) Article 132 § 1-4, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code, 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 132 § 5, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 133, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) |
5. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to political parties? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Donations may be transferred to a political party only by Polish citizens having permanent place of residence in the Republic of Poland. This applies to both financial and in-kind donations. Source
Article 25.1, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 25.4a, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) |
6. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to candidates? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Election campaigns are conducted and financed exclusively through election committees, not individual candidates. Committees in particular conduct campaigns for candidates and manage the entirety of the related financial economy. For these reasons this question is answered through the lens of the provisions dedicated to election committees. The Election Code explicitly lists the permitted sources of financial and in-kind donations to committees, and Trade Unions are not mentioned among them. As a result, donations from Trade Unions to election committees are prohibited. Source
Article 84 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 126, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point 2, page 2, Wyjaśnienia dotyczące zasad finansowania kampanii wyborczej w wyborach Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza 2025 (Clarifications regarding the principles of financing the election campaign in the election of the President of the Republic of Poland, National Election Commission 2025) Article 132 § 1-4, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 132 § 5, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 133, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) |
7. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to political parties? |
Code
Yes
Comment
The Constitution contains the principle under which the financing of political parties is public, while the Law on Political Parties specifies that public (i.e. transparent) are the sources of financing of political parties. A political party can receive financial and in-kind donations. Donations may be transferred only by Polish citizens having permanent place of residence in the Republic of Poland. A one-time payment of an amount exceeding the minimum wage may be made only by a settlement check, bank transfer or payment card. The same applies to donations made to the Election Fund, regardless of the amount. In the case of in-cash donations and membership fees below this amount and not exceeding in one year the minimum wage, the name, surname and the locality of residence of each person making payment must be disclosed within the annual report on the sources of obtaining financial resources. Under the ordinance of the Minister of Finance on the principles of accounting by a political party, donations and membership fees must be recorded with the name, surname and address of each person making payment. All in-kind donations must be listed within the annual report on the sources of obtaining financial resources, including the name, surname and the locality of residence of each donor and must be also recorded under the above-mentioned ordinance on the principles of accounting through verifiable, permanent and reliable accounting documents. Source
Article 11.2, Konstytucja 1997 (Constitution 1997, consolidated text) Article 23a, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 25.1, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 25.4a, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 24.6, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 25.5, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 36a 3, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 38.1-2, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) § 4.2-3, Rozporządzenie Ministra Finansów w sprawie zasad prowadzenia rachunkowości przez partię polityczną 2003 (Ordinance of the Minister of Finance on the principles of accounting by a political party 2003) § 5.1-2, Rozporządzenie Ministra Finansów w sprawie zasad prowadzenia rachunkowości przez partię polityczną 2003 (Ordinance of the Minister of Finance on the principles of accounting by a political party 2003) |
8. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to candidates? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Election campaigns are conducted and financed exclusively through election committees, not individual candidates. Committees in particular conduct campaigns for candidates and manage the entirety of the related financial economy. For these reasons this question is answered through the lens of the provisions dedicated to election committees. Financial donations to committees can be made exclusively through the banking system. In-kind donations to committees must be reported to the National Election Commission or election commissioner, providing personal data of donors. As a result, anonymous donations to election committees are de facto prohibited. Source
Article 84 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 126, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point 2, page 2, Wyjaśnienia dotyczące zasad finansowania kampanii wyborczej w wyborach Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza 2025 (Clarifications regarding the principles of financing the election campaign in the election of the President of the Republic of Poland, National Election Commission 2025) Article 134 § 5, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point 4, page 6, Wyjaśnienia dotyczące zasad finansowania kampanii wyborczej w wyborach Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza 2025 (Clarifications regarding the principles of financing the election campaign in the election of the President of the Republic of Poland, National Election Commission 2025) Point 3 a-b, Attachment no. 2, Rozporządzenie Ministra Finansów w sprawie sprawozdania finansowego komitetu wyborczego 2023 (Ordinance of the Minister of Finance on the financial report of the election committee 2023) |
9. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to political parties? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Donations may be transferred to a political party only by Polish citizens having permanent place of residence in the Republic of Poland. This applies to both financial and in-kind donations. Source
Article 25.1, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 25.4a, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) |
10. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to candidates? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Election campaigns are conducted and financed exclusively through election committees, not individual candidates. Committees in particular conduct campaigns for candidates and manage the entirety of the related financial economy. For these reasons this question is answered through the lens of the provisions dedicated to election committees. The Election Code explicitly lists the permitted sources of financial and in-kind donations to committees, and corporations with government contracts are not mentioned among them. As a result, donations from corporations with government contracts to election committees are prohibited. Source
Article 84 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 126, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point 2, page 2, Wyjaśnienia dotyczące zasad finansowania kampanii wyborczej w wyborach Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza 2025 (Clarifications regarding the principles of financing the election campaign in the election of the President of the Republic of Poland, National Election Commission 2025) Article 132 § 1-4, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 132 § 5, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 133, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) |
11. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to political parties? |
Code
Yes
Comment
While the law does not explicitly mention corporations with partial government ownership, Article 25.1 of the Law on Political Parties allows donations only from Polish citizens with permanent residence in Poland. This means that all legal entities — including corporations, whether state-owned or private — are effectively prohibited from donating to political parties. Source
Article 25.1, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 25.4a, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) |
12. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to candidates? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Election campaigns are conducted and financed exclusively through election committees, not individual candidates. Committees in particular conduct campaigns for candidates and manage the entirety of the related financial economy. For these reasons this question is answered through the lens of the provisions dedicated to election committees. The Election Code explicitly lists the permitted sources of financial and in-kind donations to committees, and corporations with partial government ownership are not mentioned among them. As a result, donations from corporations with partial government ownership to election committees are prohibited. Source
Article 84 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 126, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point 2, page 2, Wyjaśnienia dotyczące zasad finansowania kampanii wyborczej w wyborach Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza 2025 (Clarifications regarding the principles of financing the election campaign in the election of the President of the Republic of Poland, National Election Commission 2025) Article 132 § 1-4, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 132 § 5, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 133, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) |
13. Is there a ban on the use of state resources in favour or against a political party or candidate? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Polish law explicitly prohibits the use of public resources in favour of a political party or for election campaign purposes, whether directly or indirectly. The Law on Political Parties obliges public authorities to treat political parties equally. The Civic Service Act specifies that a member of the civil service corps when performing official duties may not be guided by individual or group interests and is not allowed to publicly manifest political views. The Law on Liability for Violation of Public Finance Discipline defines various types of violations related to public resources, including, among others, the use of public funds contrary to their intended purpose. The Election Code obliges public broadcasters to distribute paid election programs on equal terms for all election committees. The Election Code also bans campaigning on the premises of government administration offices, local government administration offices and courts. The Law on Political Parties explicitly lists the permitted sources of financing for political parties, and all other sources, including state resources other than provided under the law subsidies and subventions, are not permitted. The Election Code stipulates that election campaigns are conducted and financed exclusively through election committees and lists explicitly the permitted sources that can be used for this purpose. In consequence, it is not allowed to finance election campaign activities by any other entity than an election committee and from resources other than the committee’s own resources. These provisions equally apply to the use of state resources other than provided under the law direct and indirect public funding. In particular, the Election Code prohibits the acceptance and use of non-monetary benefits other than those specified in the Electoral Code and from sources other than natural persons. Source
Article 4, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 78.1-2, ustawa o służbie cywilnej 2008 (Civil Service Act 2008, consolidated text 2025) Article 9, point 1, ustawa o odpowiedzialności za naruszenie dyscypliny finansów publicznych 2004 (Law on Liability for Violation of Public Finance Discipline 2004, consolidated text 2025) Article 12, ustawa o odpowiedzialności za naruszenie dyscypliny finansów publicznych 2004 (Law on Liability for Violation of Public Finance Discipline 2004, consolidated text 2025) Article 13, point 6, ustawa o odpowiedzialności za naruszenie dyscypliny finansów publicznych 2004 (Law on Liability for Violation of Public Finance Discipline 2004, consolidated text 2025) Article 119 § 2, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 108 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 25.1, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 25.4a, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 49c, point 3-4, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 84 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 126, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point 2, page 2, Wyjaśnienia dotyczące zasad finansowania kampanii wyborczej w wyborach Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza 2025 (Clarifications regarding the principles of financing the election campaign in the election of the President of the Republic of Poland, National Election Commission 2025) Article 132 § 5, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 133, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 506, points 6-8, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 507, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Wyjaśnienia w sprawie prowadzenia agitacji wyborczej w miejscach niedozwolonych i z wykorzystaniem niedozwolonych środków finansowych lub świadczeń niepieniężnych, Państwowa Komisja Wyborcze 2025 (Clarifications regarding conducting election campaigning in unauthorized places and using unauthorized financial resources or non-monetary benefits, National Election Commission 2025) |
14. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during a non-election specific period? |
Code
Yes, for natural persons
Comment
Donations from legal persons are not allowed. Donations from natural persons are permitted only from Polish citizens having permanent place of residence in the Republic of Poland, and the limit is 15 times the minimum wage per calendar year. Furthermore, Polish citizens having permanent place of residence in the Republic of Poland can donate to a political party’s Election Fund the amount of 15 times the minimum wage per calendar year. This latter limit increases to 25 wages if more than one national election or referendum is held in a given year. Source
Article 25.1, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 25.4, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 36a 1-2, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) |
15. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during a non-election specific period, what is the limit? |
Code
other
Comment
Donations from legal persons are not allowed. Donations from natural persons are permitted only from Polish citizens having permanent place of residence in the Republic of Poland. For natural persons the limit is per calendar year and bases on multiplication of the minimum wage, which as of 1 January 2026 amounts to PLN 4 806. This is 15 times the minimum wage to a political party’s current account (PLN 72 090), and further 15 times can be donated to the party’s Election Fund (PLN 72 090). This latter limit increases to 25 times the minimum wage (PLN 120 150) in a year with more than one national election or referendum. This gives an annual limit of PLN 144 180 or PLN 192 240, respectively. Source
Article 25.1, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 25.4, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 36a 1-2, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) |
16. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during an election? |
Code
No, but limits for regular periods apply to campaign periods
Comment
There are no limits of donations that apply specifically during an election. The limits in place refers to a calendar year and remain the same during and outside of an election period. The only change is with the Election Found for which the annual limit increases from 15 to 25 minimum wages in a year with more than one national election or referendum. Still, even in this case, this increase applies to the calendar year, not to a specific election period. Donations from legal persons are not allowed. Donations from natural persons are permitted only from Polish citizens having permanent place of residence in the Republic of Poland, and the limit is 15 times the minimum wage per calendar year. Furthermore, Polish citizens having permanent place of residence in the Republic of Poland can donate to a political party’s Election Fund the amount of 15 or 25 times the minimum wage per calendar year if more than one national election or referendum is held in the year. Source
Article 25.1, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 25.4, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 36a 1-2, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) |
17. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during an election, what is the limit? |
Code
other
Comment
There are no limits of donations that apply specifically during an election. The limits in place refers to a calendar year and remain the same during and outside of an election period. Donations from legal persons are not allowed. Donations from natural persons are permitted only from Polish citizens having permanent place of residence in the Republic of Poland. For natural persons the limit is per calendar year and bases on multiplication of the minimum wage, which as of 1 January 2026 amounts to PLN 4 806. This is 15 times the minimum wage to a political party’s current account (PLN 72 090), and further 15 times can be donated to the party’s Election Fund (PLN 72 090). This latter limit increases to 25 times the minimum wage (PLN 120 150) in a year with more than one national election or referendum. This gives an annual limit of PLN 144 180 or PLN 192 240, respectively. Source
Article 25.1, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 25.4, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 36a 1-2, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) |
18. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate? |
Code
Yes, for natural persons
Comment
Election campaigns are conducted and financed exclusively through election committees, not individual candidates. Committees in particular conduct campaigns for candidates and manage the entirety of the related financial economy. For these reasons this question is answered through the lens of the provisions dedicated to election committees. Donations from legal persons are not allowed. Donations from natural persons are permitted only from Polish citizens having permanent place of residence in the Republic of Poland. Donors can contribute only to the election committee of an organization, the election committee of voters and the election committee of a candidate for President of the Republic, and the allowed limit is 15 times the minimum wage. Need to be aware that election committees formed by political parties can receive financial resources only through the Election Funds of the parties that formed them. For these reasons, and to finance these committees, there is practice to make individual donations to the political party’s current account and/or its Election Fund with the aim to have this transferred to the given committee. Source
Article 84 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 126, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point 2, page 2, Wyjaśnienia dotyczące zasad finansowania kampanii wyborczej w wyborach Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza 2025 (Clarifications regarding the principles of financing the election campaign in the election of the President of the Republic of Poland, National Election Commission 2025) Article 132 § 1-4, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 134 § 2, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) |
19. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate, what is the limit? |
Code
other
Comment
Election campaigns are conducted and financed exclusively through election committees, not individual candidates. Committees in particular conduct campaigns for candidates and manage the entirety of the related financial economy. For these reasons this question is answered through the lens of the provisions dedicated to election committees. Donations from legal persons are not allowed. Donations from natural persons are permitted only from Polish citizens having permanent place of residence in the Republic of Poland. Donors can contribute only to the election committee of an organization, the election committee of voters and the election committee of a candidate for President of the Republic. The allowed limit is bases on multiplication of the minimum wage, which as of 1 January 2026 is PLN 4 806 and applies to the elections ordered in this year. The limit is 15 times the wage and amounts to PLN 72 090. Need to be aware that election committees formed by political parties can receive financial resources only through the Election Funds of the parties that formed them. For these reasons, and to finance these committees, there is practice to make individual donations to the political party’s current account and/or its Election Fund with the aim to have this transferred to the given committee. Source
Article 84 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 126, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point 2, page 2, Wyjaśnienia dotyczące zasad finansowania kampanii wyborczej w wyborach Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza 2025 (Clarifications regarding the principles of financing the election campaign in the election of the President of the Republic of Poland, National Election Commission 2025) Article 132 § 1-4, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 134 § 2, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) |
20. Is there a limit on the amount a candidate can contribute to their own election campaign? |
Code
Yes, specific limit for candidates
Comment
In all types of elections, except local elections, there is a separate limit for candidates. Election campaigns are conducted and financed exclusively through election committees, not individual candidates. Committees in particular conduct campaigns for candidates and manage the entirety of the related financial economy. Consequently, all candidate contributions must be made to their electoral committees. Financial donations are permitted only from Polish citizens having permanent place of residence in the Republic of Poland and allowed only to an election committee of voters, election committee of organization and election committee of a candidate for the President of the Republic. All these restrictions apply equally to donations made by candidates. The limit for candidates is established pursuant to article 134 § 3 of the Election Code and is calculated by multiplying the minimum wage, which as of 1 January 2026 is PLN 4 806. This wage is multiplied by 45 and gives the limit of PLN 216 270. Source
Article 84 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 126, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point 2, page 2, Wyjaśnienia dotyczące zasad finansowania kampanii wyborczej w wyborach Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza 2025 (Clarifications regarding the principles of financing the election campaign in the election of the President of the Republic of Poland, National Election Commission 2025) Article 132 § 1-4, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 134 § 3, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) |
21. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to political parties? |
Code
Yes
Comment
In-kind donations are allowed only from Polish citizens having permanent place of residence in the Republic of Poland. The limit for such donations is a value equal to 15 times the minimum wage and from 1 January 2026 amounts to PLN 72 090 per year. Important to note that this is a separate limit from the one that applies to financial donations, although both result from the same multiplication and have the same amount. Source
Article 25.1, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 25.4, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) |
22. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to candidates? |
Code
No
Comment
Election campaigns are conducted and financed exclusively through election committees, not individual candidates. Committees in particular conduct campaigns for candidates and manage the entirety of the related financial economy. For these reasons this question is answered through the lens of the provisions dedicated to election committees. In-kind donations to committees are only allowed from natural persons, while in the cases of an election committee of organization and election committee of voters, there is an explicit sanction for accepting such donations from a person other than a Polish citizen with permanent residence in Poland. As an exception, in-kind donations are also allowed from the political party or organization that established the given committee, but only in the form of providing access to their offices and related office equipment. There is no limit on the value per donor and the total value of in-kind donations that an election committee can accept and use. Source
Article 84 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 126, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point 2, page 2, Wyjaśnienia dotyczące zasad finansowania kampanii wyborczej w wyborach Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza 2025 (Clarifications regarding the principles of financing the election campaign in the election of the President of the Republic of Poland, National Election Commission 2025) Article 132 § 5, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 133, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point 7, page 16, Wyjaśnienia dotyczące zasad finansowania kampanii wyborczej w wyborach Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza 2025 (Clarifications regarding the principles of financing the election campaign in the election of the President of the Republic of Poland, National Election Commission 2025) Recommendation No. 20, Limited Election Observation Mission to the 2023 Parliamentary Elections in Poland, Final Report, OSCE/ODIHR |
23. Is there a ban on political parties engaging in commercial activities? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Political parties cannot conduct business activity. Source
Article 24.3, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 27, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) |
24. Is there a ban on political parties taking loans in relation to election campaigns? |
Code
Sometimes
Comment
A political party may take out loans only from banks. A guarantor can only be a Polish citizen having permanent place of residence in Poland, and whose obligation cannot exceed the limit of donations specified for a natural person. Source
Article 24.7, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 25a, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) |
25. Is there a ban on candidates taking loans in relation to election campaigns? |
Code
Sometimes
Comment
Election campaigns are conducted and financed exclusively through election committees, not individual candidates. Committees in particular conduct campaigns for candidates and manage the entirety of the related financial economy. For these reasons this question is answered through the lens of the provisions dedicated to election committees. Loans can be taken only by election committees of voters, organizations, the candidate for President of the Republic and only from banks. A guarantor can only be a Polish citizen having permanent place of residence in Poland, whose obligation cannot exceed the limit of donations specified for a natural person. Source
Article 84 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 126, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point 2, page 2, Wyjaśnienia dotyczące zasad finansowania kampanii wyborczej w wyborach Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza 2025 (Clarifications regarding the principles of financing the election campaign in the election of the President of the Republic of Poland, National Election Commission 2025) Article 132 § 1-4, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 132 § 6, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) |
26. Is there a ban on donors to political parties/candidates participating in public tender/procurement processes? |
Code
No
Comment
Donors to political parties are not restricted from participating in public tender/procurement processes, but at the same time corporate donations are prohibited. This is because donations to political parties are allowed only from Polish citizens having permanent residence in the Republic of Poland. Donations to candidates need to be considered in the lens of the provisions dedicated to election committees. This is because committees have the exclusive right to conduct campaigns for candidates and manage the entirety of the related financial economy. Donors to election committees are not restricted from participating in public tender/procurement processes, but corporate donations are prohibited. This is because financial donations to committees are allowed only from Polish citizens having permanent residence in the Republic of Poland. In-kind donations are allowed only from natural persons and, as an exception, from the political party or organization that established the given committee, but only in the form of providing access to their offices and related office equipment. Source
Article 25.1, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 25.4a, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 84 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 126, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point 2, page 2, Wyjaśnienia dotyczące zasad finansowania kampanii wyborczej w wyborach Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza 2025 (Clarifications regarding the principles of financing the election campaign in the election of the President of the Republic of Poland, National Election Commission 2025) Article 132 § 1-4, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 132 § 5, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 133, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) |
27. Are there provisions requiring donations to go through the banking system? |
Code
Sometimes
Comment
A donation to a political party’s current account in an amount not exceeding the minimum wage (as of 1 January 2026 this is PLN 4 806) does not have to be made through the banking system. All other donations to political parties and all donations to election committees are allowed only through the banking system. Source
Article 25.5, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 36a 3, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 134 § 5, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) |
| Question | Value |
|---|---|
28. Are there provisions for direct public funding to political parties? |
Code
Yes, both regularly and in relation to campaigns
Comment
Political parties whose committees obtained at least 3% of the valid votes cast in the Sejm elections (6% for coalition of parties) are entitled to an annual public funding during the term of the Sejm, named as subvention. In addition, each political party/coalition/voters’ election committee that obtains at least one seat in Polish or European Parliament is eligible for a one-time subsidy related to its campaign expenses. Source
Article 28.1, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 150 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) |
29. What are the eligibility criteria for political parties to receive public funding? |
Code
Comment
Political parties whose committees obtained at least 3% of the valid votes cast in the Sejm elections (6% for coalition of parties) are entitled to an annual public funding during the term of the Sejm, named as subvention. In addition, each political party/coalition/voters’ election committee that obtains at least one seat in Polish or European Parliament is eligible for a one-time subsidy related to its campaign expenses. Source
Article 28.1, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 150 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) |
30. What is the allocation calculation for political parties to receive public funding? |
Code
Proportional to votes received
Proportional to seats received
Comment
Political parties whose committees obtained at least 3% of the valid votes cast in the Sejm elections (6% for coalitions of parties) are entitled to an annual public funding during the term of the Sejm, named as subvention. Its amount is determined on the basis of gradual degression in proportion to the total number of valid votes cast for the lists of candidates, broken down into the number of votes corresponding to the individual percentage ranges. In the case of a coalition of parties, subvention is divided in proportions specified in the agreement establishing the electoral coalition. In addition, each political party/coalition/voters’ election committee that obtains at least one seat in Polish or European Parliament is entitled to a one-time subsidy related to its campaign expenditures. Its amount is calculated by dividing the total expenditures of eligible election committees by the number of available seats in the Sejm and Senate. The result is multiplied by the number of seats won by the committee. In the case of the European Parliament, the amount equal to the total number of votes cast is divided by the number of available seats. The result is multiplied by the number of seats won by the given committee. Importantly, the subsidy is paid only up to the amount of expenditure documented in the report submitted to the electoral authority, while in the case of a coalition committee of political parties, it is paid in proportion to the payments these parties have made to the committee’s account. In the case of an election committee of voters, after deducting outstanding expenses, the entire amount is treated as a surplus and must be donated to a public benefit organization. Source
Article 29.1, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 28.2, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 138 § 3, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) |
31. What are the provisions on 'ear marking' direct public funding to political parties (how it should be used)? |
Code
Comment
Direct public funding, as any other assets owned by a political party, can only be used for its statutory and charitable purposes, which certainly include campaign expenditures and ongoing operating costs. In particular, a political party that receives subvention is obliged to transfer between 5-15% of this sum to its Expert Fund, which is aimed to finance legal, political, sociological and socio-economic expertise and publishing-educational activities. Source
Article 24.2, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 30.3-4, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) |
32. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for political parties? |
Code
Yes
Comment
The Law on Political Parties stipulates that parties are provided with access to public media under the terms specified in separate acts. Under the Broadcasting Law, public and radio television provide political parties with the opportunity to present their positions on key public matters, with the procedures for this being specified in a regulation of the National Broadcasting Council. Source
Article 5, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) |
33. What criteria determine allocation for free or subsidized access to media for political parties? |
Code
other
Comment
Under the Broadcasting Law, public and radio television provide political parties with the opportunity to present their positions on key public matters. The procedure for this is specified in a regulation of the National Broadcasting Council. This regulation reiterates the obligation placed on the public media to present the positions of political parties and specifies that this must be done in a diligent and pluralistic manner, enabling for the presentation of diverse positions. Furthermore, it specifies that such positions presented include customary forms of expression by representatives and bodies of political parties. The regulation details the minimum monthly time that must be allocated for this purpose and requires public media to submit quarterly reports on how this was implemented with the total monthly time of presentations by representatives of each political party. Source
Article 5, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 23.1 and 3, ustawa o radiofonii i telewizji 1992 (Broadcasting Law 1992, consolidated text 2024) § 1, Rozporządzenie Krajowej Rady Radiofonii i Telewizji w sprawie trybu postępowania w związku z przedstawianiem w programach publicznej radiofonii i telewizji stanowisk partii politycznych, związków zawodowych i związków pracodawców w węzłowych sprawach publicznych 2003 (Ordinance of the National Broadcasting Council regarding the procedure for presenting in public radio and television programmes the positions of political parties, trade unions and employers’ associations on key public matters 2003, consolidated text 2013) § 3.2 and 4, Rozporządzenie Krajowej Rady Radiofonii i Telewizji w sprawie trybu postępowania w związku z przedstawianiem w programach publicznej radiofonii i telewizji stanowisk partii politycznych, związków zawodowych i związków pracodawców w węzłowych sprawach publicznych 2003 (Ordinance of the National Broadcasting Council regarding the procedure for presenting in public radio and television programmes the positions of political parties, trade unions and employers’ associations on key public matters 2003, consolidated text 2013) § 4a, Rozporządzenie Krajowej Rady Radiofonii i Telewizji w sprawie trybu postępowania w związku z przedstawianiem w programach publicznej radiofonii i telewizji stanowisk partii politycznych, związków zawodowych i związków pracodawców w węzłowych sprawach publicznych 2003 (Ordinance of the National Broadcasting Council regarding the procedure for presenting in public radio and television programmes the positions of political parties, trade unions and employers’ associations on key public matters 2003, consolidated text 2013) |
34. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for candidates? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Election campaigns are conducted and financed exclusively through election committees, not individual candidates. Committees in particular conduct campaigns for candidates and manage the entirety of the related financial economy. For these reasons this question is answered through the lens of the provisions dedicated to election committees. Election committees whose candidates have been registered have the right to broadcast election programs free of charge on public radio and television broadcasters from the 15th day before election day. The allocated time and its division are determined in the election specific provisions of the Election Code and detailed in the ordinance of the National Broadcasting Council. Source
Article 84 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 126, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point 2, page 2, Wyjaśnienia dotyczące zasad finansowania kampanii wyborczej w wyborach Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza 2025 (Clarifications regarding the principles of financing the election campaign in the election of the President of the Republic of Poland, National Election Commission 2025) Article 117 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 117 § 6, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) |
35. Are there provisions for any other form of indirect public funding? |
Code
Yes
Comment
During the election campaign, local government authorities are obliged to provide places for free placement of election committees’ posters. Source
Article 114, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) |
36. Is the provision of direct public funding to political parties tied to gender equality among candidates? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Yes, but indirectly. There is an indirect link between the entitlement to direct public funding and a political party’s election committee meeting the requirement of gender parity on candidate lists. To receive subvention, a political party must have registered through its election committee lists of candidates for the Sejm that receive at least 3% of the valid votes cast (6% for coalition of parties). For this to be possible, it is required to have candidate lists with no less than 35% of candidates of each gender. Otherwise, such candidate lists will not be registered, the party’s election committee will not be able to effectively participate in the Sejm elections, and therefore will have no chance of obtaining this entitlement. Source
Article 28.1, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 211 § 3, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 215 § 5, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) |
37. Are there provisions for other financial advantages to encourage gender equality in political parties? |
Code
No
Comment
There are no provisions in legislation or other sources stating that financial advantages are in use to encourage gender equality in political parties Source
Ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) |
| Question | Value |
|---|---|
38. Is there a ban on vote buying? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Vote buying is penalized under the Penal Code, both in the case of those who accept or demand benefits and those who provide them. Source
Article 250a, Kodeks karny 1997 (Penal Code 1997, consolidated text 2025) |
39. Are there limits on the amount a political party can spend? |
Code
No
Comment
There are no limits on the amount a political party can spend. It should be noted that once the election authority accepts a political party’s notification of the formation of its election committee, the party is no longer allowed to conduct and finance activities aimed at promoting its programmatic objectives. Furthermore, political parties are not allowed to conduct electoral campaigns. This is because election committees have the exclusive right to do so and manage the entirety of the related financial economy. Source
Article 141 § 2, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 84 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 126, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point 2, page 2, Wyjaśnienia dotyczące zasad finansowania kampanii wyborczej w wyborach Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza 2025 (Clarifications regarding the principles of financing the election campaign in the election of the President of the Republic of Poland, National Election Commission 2025) |
40. If there are limits on the amount a political party can spend, what is the limit? |
Code
Not applicable
Comment
There are no limits on the amount a political party can spend. Source
Ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) |
41. Are there limits on the amount a candidate can spend? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Election campaigns are conducted and financed exclusively through election committees, not individual candidates. Committees in particular conduct campaigns for candidates and manage the entirety of the related financial economy. For these reasons this question is answered through the lens of the provisions dedicated to election committees. For each type of election, there are limits on the amount an election committee can spend. Source
Article 84 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 126, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point 2, page 2, Wyjaśnienia dotyczące zasad finansowania kampanii wyborczej w wyborach Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza 2025 (Clarifications regarding the principles of financing the election campaign in the election of the President of the Republic of Poland, National Election Commission 2025) Article 135 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) |
42. If there are limits on the amount a candidate can spend, what is the limit? |
Code
other
Comment
Election campaigns are conducted and financed exclusively through election committees, not individual candidates. Committees in particular conduct campaigns for candidates and manage the entirety of the related financial economy. For these reasons limits are determined on the basis of the provisions dedicated to election committees. There are limits on expenditures for each type of election, determined on the basis of specific provisions and formulas. These formulas use the amount per voter (or per contested councilor seat in local elections), which is specified in the Election Code separately for each election, but also adjusted for inflation under legislative requirements imposed on the Minister of Finance. Adjustment provisions require an increase in this amount, and thus the spending limit, even during the ongoing election campaign period, as was the case with the 2024 European Parliament and local elections. PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS – SEJM PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS – SENAT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTIONS LOCAL ELECTIONS Source
Article 84 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 126, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point 2, page 2, Wyjaśnienia dotyczące zasad finansowania kampanii wyborczej w wyborach Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza 2025 (Clarifications regarding the principles of financing the election campaign in the election of the President of the Republic of Poland, National Election Commission 2025) Article 135 § 1-2, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 199, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 200 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) § 1, Rozporządzenie Ministra Finansów w sprawie podwyższenia kwoty limitu wydatków komitetów wyborczych w wyborach do Sejmu Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej 2023 (Ordinance of the Ministry of Finance regarding increase of the limit on the expenditures of election committees in elections to the Sejm of the Republic of Poland 2023) § 1, Rozporządzenie Ministra Finansów w sprawie podwyższenia kwoty limitu wydatków komitetów wyborczych w wyborach do Senatu Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej 2023 (Ordinance of the Ministry of Finance regarding increase of the limit on the expenditures of election committees in elections to the Senat of the Republic of Poland 2023) § 1, Rozporządzenie Ministra Finansów w sprawie podwyższenia kwoty limitu wydatków komitetów wyborczych w wyborach do Senatu Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej 2025 (Ordinance of the Ministry of Finance regarding increase of the limit on the expenditures of election committees in elections to the Senat of the Republic of Poland 2025) Article 327 § 1 and 3, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) § 1, Rozporządzenie Ministra Finansów w sprawie podwyższenia kwoty limitu wydatków komitetów wyborczych w wyborach Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej 2024 (Ordinance of the Ministry of Finance regarding increase of the limit on the expenditures of election committees in the election of the President of the Republic of Poland 2024) Article 337 § 1 and 3, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) § 1, Rozporządzenie Ministra Finansów w sprawie podwyższenia kwoty limitu wydatków komitetów wyborczych w wyborach do Parlamentu Europejskiego 2023 (Ordinance of the Ministry of Finance regarding increase of the limit on expenditures of election committees in the elections to the European Parliament 2023) § 1, Rozporządzenie Ministra Finansów w sprawie podwyższenia kwoty limitu wydatków komitetów wyborczych w wyborach do Parlamentu Europejskiego 2024 (Ordinance of the Ministry of Finance regarding increase of the limit on expenditures of election committees in the elections to the European Parliament 2024) Article 378, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 379 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Rozporządzenie Ministra Finansów w sprawie podwyższenia kwoty przypadającej na jeden mandat radnego przy ustalaniu limitu wydatków komitetów wyborczych w wyborach do organów stanowiących jednostek samorządu terytorialnego 2023 (Ordinance of the Minister of Finance regarding increase the amount per councilor mandate when determining the limit on the expenditures of election committees in elections to the decision-making bodies of local government units 2023) Rozporządzenie Ministra Finansów w sprawie podwyższenia kwoty przypadającej na jeden mandat radnego przy ustalaniu limitu wydatków komitetów wyborczych w wyborach do organów stanowiących jednostek samorządu terytorialnego 2024 (Ordinance of the Minister of Finance regarding increase the amount per councilor mandate when determining the limit on the expenditures of election committees in elections to the decision-making bodies of local government units 2024) § 1, Rozporządzenie Ministra Finansów w sprawie podwyższenia kwoty przypadającej na jeden mandat radnego przy ustalaniu limitu wydatków komitetów wyborczych w wyborach do organów stanowiących jednostek samorządu terytorialnego 2025 (Ordinance of the Minister of Finance regarding increase the amount per councilor mandate when determining the limit on the expenditures of election committees in elections to the decision-making bodies of local government units 2025) Article 476 § 1 and 4, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) |
43. Are there limits on the amount that third parties can spend on election campaign activities? |
Code
Yes, third parties banned from campaign spending
Comment
Election campaigns are conducted and financed exclusively through election committees. Committees in particular conduct campaigns for candidates and manage the entirety of the related financial economy. As a result, third parties are not allowed to spend on electoral campaigns, although the related sanctions were repealed in 2018. The same amendment allowed agitation not only by election committees but also by voters. Such agitation, according to the clarifications of the National Election Commission, does not raise doubts as to its legality, provided it does not involve expenditures. Source
Article 84 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 126, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point 2, page 2, Wyjaśnienia dotyczące zasad finansowania kampanii wyborczej w wyborach Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza 2025 (Clarifications regarding the principles of financing the election campaign in the election of the President of the Republic of Poland, National Election Commission 2025) Article 106 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point II, Wyjaśnienia Państwowej Komisji Wyborczej w sprawach związanych z prowadzeniem i finansowaniem kampanii wyborczej 2024 (Clarifications of the National Election Commission on matters related to conducting and financing election campaign 2024) |
44. Are there limits on traditional media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns? |
Code
Yes, for candidates
Comment
Election campaigns are conducted and financed exclusively through election committees. Committees in particular conduct campaigns for candidates and manage the entirety of the related financial economy. As a result, third parties are not allowed to spend on electoral campaigns, although the related sanctions were repealed in 2018. The same amendment allowed agitation not only by election committees but also by voters. Such agitation, according to the clarifications of the National Election Commission, does not raise doubts as to its legality, provided it does not involve expenditures. Source
Article 84 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 126, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point 2, page 2, Wyjaśnienia dotyczące zasad finansowania kampanii wyborczej w wyborach Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza 2025 (Clarifications regarding the principles of financing the election campaign in the election of the President of the Republic of Poland, National Election Commission 2025) Article 106 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point II, Wyjaśnienia Państwowej Komisji Wyborczej w sprawach związanych z prowadzeniem i finansowaniem kampanii wyborczej 2024 (Clarifications of the National Election Commission on matters related to conducting and financing election campaign 2024) |
45. Are there limits on online media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns? |
Code
Yes, for candidates
Comment
Election campaigns are conducted and financed exclusively through election committees, not individual candidates. Committees in particular conduct campaigns for candidates and manage the entirety of the related financial economy. For these reasons this question is answered through the lens of the provisions dedicated to election committees. In the case of election committees, the limit is 80% of the expenditure limit, but this is a joint limit, including expenditures on both traditional and online media. For the 2025 presidential election this amounted to PLN 19 682 736. Political parties, third parties and voters are not allowed to spend on election campaign advertisements, including the one conducted in online media. This is due to the above-mentioned exclusive right of election committees to do so. Parties can only transfer the Election Fund funds to the committee formed by the given political party or to a presidential candidate’s committee. While voters can only contribute through donations made to election committees and political parties. Source
Article 84 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 126, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point 2, page 2, Wyjaśnienia dotyczące zasad finansowania kampanii wyborczej w wyborach Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza 2025 (Clarifications regarding the principles of financing the election campaign in the election of the President of the Republic of Poland, National Election Commission 2025) Article 135 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 136, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 106 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point II, Wyjaśnienia Państwowej Komisji Wyborczej w sprawach związanych z prowadzeniem i finansowaniem kampanii wyborczej 2024 (Clarifications of the National Election Commission on matters related to conducting and financing election campaign 2024) |
46. Do any other restrictions on online media advertisement (beyond limits) exist? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Yes, during the election campaign period. Election campaigns are conducted and financed exclusively through election committees. Committees in particular conduct electoral campaigns for candidates and manage the entirety of the related financial economy. For these reasons and once an election is announced, political parties, voters, and third parties are not allowed to directly finance electoral agitation, including in the form of purchasing online media advertisements with electoral agitation, although the related sanctions were repealed in 2018. Furthermore, election committees are not allowed use free advertising services on the internet. This is because these do not fall within the scope of non-monetary benefits that an electoral committee can accept. Source
Article 105 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 84 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 126, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point 2, page 2, Wyjaśnienia dotyczące zasad finansowania kampanii wyborczej w wyborach Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza 2025 (Clarifications regarding the principles of financing the election campaign in the election of the President of the Republic of Poland, National Election Commission 2025) Article 106 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point II, Wyjaśnienia Państwowej Komisji Wyborczej w sprawach związanych z prowadzeniem i finansowaniem kampanii wyborczej 2024 (Clarifications of the National Election Commission on matters related to conducting and financing election campaign 2024) Article 132 § 5, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) |
| Question | Value |
|---|---|
47. Do political parties have to report regularly on their finances? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Political parties submit to the National Election Commission a report on the sources of obtained funds and on expenditures incurred from the Election Fund in the previous calendar year. This report must be submitted annually, no later than by 31 March. Political parties that received subvention submit to the National Election Commission financial information on the subvention received and expenditures incurred from this subvention. Information must be submitted annually, no later than by 31 March. Furthermore, political parties are obliged to publish registers of donations and contracts on their websites of the Public Information Bulletin. These registers include information on donations exceeding PLN 10 000 in one year and contracts concluded, including bank loan contracts. Registers must be updated within 14 days of the donation, a new contract, or amendment to the contract. Source
Article 38.1 and 3, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 34.1-2 and 4, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 25.6-11, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 27a 1-3 and 6-8, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) |
48. Do political parties have to report on their election campaign finances? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Election campaigns are conducted and financed exclusively through election committees. Committees in particular conduct campaigns for candidates and manage the entirety of the related financial economy. For this reason, a political party can finance electoral campaigns only indirectly, through transfers from its Election Fund to the election committee formed by the party or to the election committee of a presidential candidate (allowed is also an in-kind donation to the party’s committees in the form of access to the party office and its equipment). It is important to note that election committees formed by political parties can receive financial resources only through the Election Funds of these parties. It also occurs that a committee of a presidential candidate is financed predominately in that way. For these reasons, and to finance these committees, there is practice to make individual donations to the political party’s current account and/or its Election Fund with the aim to have this transferred to the given committee. The same situation is with loans taken by political parties, the amounts of which are transferred to the party’s Election Fund. Political parties report on these resources and transfers, including in particular transfers made from the party’s Election Fund to the election committee, within their annual reports. For parties that receive subvention, the cumulative of transfers from these funds to the Election Fund is reported in the annual financial information. Besides, donations received from natural persons in excess of PLN 10 000 in one year, as well as loans taken by political parties, must be disclosed in the registers of donations and contracts within 14 days of receipt. Source
Article 84 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 126, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point 2, page 2, Wyjaśnienia dotyczące zasad finansowania kampanii wyborczej w wyborach Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza 2025 (Clarifications regarding the principles of financing the election campaign in the election of the President of the Republic of Poland, National Election Commission 2025) Article 35.1-2, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 36a 3, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 38.1 and 3, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Point 3-5, Attachment no. 2, Rozporządzenie Ministra Finansów w sprawie sprawozdania o źródłach pozyskania środków finansowych 2023 (Ordinance of the Minister of Finance on the report on sources of obtaining financial resources 2023) Article 34.1-2 and 4, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) § 2, point 4a, Rozporządzenie Ministra Finansów w sprawie informacji finansowej o otrzymanej subwencji oraz o poniesionych z subwencji wydatkach 2023 (Ordinance of the Minister of Finance on financial information on received subvention and on expenditures incurred from subvention 2023) Article 25.6-11, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997 (consolidated text 2023) Article 27a 1-3 and 6-8, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, (consolidated text 2023) |
49. Do candidates have to report on their election campaign finances? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Election campaigns are conducted and financed exclusively through election committees, not individual candidates. Committees in particular conduct campaigns for candidates and manage the entirety of the related financial economy. For these reasons this question is answered through the lens of the provisions dedicated to election committees. Election committees are required within 3 months of the election day to submit a report on their revenues, expenditures, and financial liabilities. Reports must be submitted to the National Election Commission, and in the case of local election committees of organizations or voters that aimed to register candidates in only voivodeship, to the relevant electoral commissar, depending on the committee’s headquarters. The same applies to all committees in the case of local by-elections, early elections or elections to a new council Besides, committees are required to publish on their websites registers of credits and donations and to enter there all credits taken and donations received in the joint amount above the minimum wage, within 7 days of occurrence. Copies of these registers must be attached to the above-mentioned report. This disclosure mechanism has certain limitations, as committees formed by political parties can only receive financial resources through Election Funds, which is why they publish empty registers. Completely exempt are local election committees with candidates for councilors in only one municipality, and in early elections for mayor, if the number of inhabitants in these municipalities does not exceed 20 000. Source
Article 84 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 126, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point 2, page 2, Wyjaśnienia dotyczące zasad finansowania kampanii wyborczej w wyborach Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza 2025 (Clarifications regarding the principles of financing the election campaign in the election of the President of the Republic of Poland, National Election Commission, 2025) Article 134 § 5, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 142 § 1-3, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point 3 a-c, Attachment no. 2, Rozporządzenie Ministra Finansów w sprawie sprawozdania finansowego komitetu wyborczego 2023 (Ordinance of the Minister of Finance on the financial report of the election committee 2023) Point 7, page 16, Wyjaśnienia dotyczące zasad finansowania kampanii wyborczej w wyborach Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza 2025 (Clarifications regarding the principles of financing the election campaign in the election of the President of the Republic of Poland, National Election Commission 2025) Article 140 § 1-2 and 5, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point 2, Attachment no. 2, Rozporządzenie Ministra Finansów w sprawie sprawozdania finansowego komitetu wyborczego 2023 (Ordinance of the Minister of Finance on the financial report of the election committee 2023) |
50. Do third parties have to report on election campaign finances? |
Code
Third parties are banned from participating in campaigns
Comment
Election campaigns are conducted and financed exclusively through election committees. Committees in particular conduct campaigns for candidates and manage the entirety of the related financial economy. As a result, third parties are not allowed to conduct and finance electoral campaigns, and therefore, there is no related reporting mechanism. Source
Article 84 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 126, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point 2, page 2, Wyjaśnienia dotyczące zasad finansowania kampanii wyborczej w wyborach Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza 2025 (Clarifications regarding the principles of financing the election campaign in the election of the President of the Republic of Poland, National Election Commission 2025)
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51. Is information in reports from political parties and/or candidates to be made public? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Political party reports are published by the National Election Commission on its website of the Public Information Bulletin within 30 days of the submission deadline. Reports are published in PDF format or as hard copy scanned to PDF. Attachments are available for review under the Law on Access to Public Information. In the case of candidates, all their campaign activities are conducted and financed exclusively through election committees. This also includes the preparation and submission of financial reports. These reports are published by the National Election Commission on its website of the Public Information Bulletin within 30 days of the submission deadline. After this deadline, these reports are published in the Official Journal of the Republic of Poland. Reports from local elections committees formed by political parties, although not explicitly listed as subject to publication, are published through the National Election Commission’s announcement and are certainly also subject to disclosure under the Law on the Access to Public Information. All these reports are published in PDF format or as hard copy scanned to PDF. In the case of local election committees of organizations or voters that aimed to register candidates in only one voivodeship, and all committees formed for local by-elections, early elections or elections to a new council, reports must be submitted to and are made available for review by the relevant electoral commissar, depending on the committee’s headquarters. All documents attached to the reports are available for review by entities authorized to file objections, and afterwards to all interested under the Law on Access to Public Information. Lists of donations are available for review under the terms of the provisions on personal data protection. Source
Article 38.4, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 34.5, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 143, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) § 5, Rozporządzenie Ministra Finansów w sprawie sprawozdania finansowego komitetu wyborczego 2023 (Ordinance of the Minister of Finance on the financial report of the election committee 2023) |
52. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates reveal the identity of donors? |
Code
Sometimes
Comment
For political parties, financial donations in the amount not exceeding the minimum wage do not have to be made through bank transfer, but can be paid in cash into the party’s coffers. These donations, in the joint amount per donor not exceeding the minimum wage in one year, must be reported within the lists of detailed sources of obtaining financial resources, but only the name, surname and the locality of residence of each donor is provided. The same is with in-kind donations, regardless of their value. For candidates, all campaign activities are conducted and financed exclusively through election committees. This also includes the preparation and submission of financial reports. These reports must be submitted with attached bank statements containing the data of all donors. This is because committees can receive financial resources only through the banking system. In the case of in-kind donations, each donation must be documented with an attached source document containing the donor’s data and valuation of the donation. Source
Article 25.5, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 36a 3, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 38.1-2, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Tables to the items 29 and 32-35, Wykazy szczegółowych źródeł pozyskania środków finansowych oraz wydatków poniesionych ze środków Funduszu Wyborczego, Rozporządzenie Ministra Finansów w sprawie sprawozdania o źródłach pozyskania środków finansowych 2023 (Tables to the items 29 and 32-35, Lists of detailed sources of obtained financial resources and expenditures incurred from the Election Fund, Ordinance of the Minister of Finance on the report on sources of obtaining financial resources 2023) Article 84 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 126, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point 2, page 2, Wyjaśnienia dotyczące zasad finansowania kampanii wyborczej w wyborach Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza 2025 (Clarifications regarding the principles of financing the election campaign in the election of the President of the Republic of Poland, National Election Commission 2025) Article 134 § 5, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point 4, page 6, Wyjaśnienia dotyczące zasad finansowania kampanii wyborczej w wyborach Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza 2025 (Clarifications regarding the principles of financing the election campaign in the election of the President of the Republic of Poland, National Election Commission 2025) Article 142 § 1 and 7, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point 3 a-b, Attachment no. 2, Rozporządzenie Ministra Finansów w sprawie sprawozdania finansowego komitetu wyborczego 2023 (Ordinance of the Minister of Finance on the financial report of the election committee 2023) |
53. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized income? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Political parties submit to the National Election Commission annual reports on the sources of obtained funds and expenditures incurred from the Election Fund in the previous calendar year. These reports must contain the cumulative amount for various types of obtained financial and in-kind resources, including payments made in cash, and 24 detailed lists used to calculate these cumulates. Attached must be bank statements from all bank accounts for the entire reporting period. Political parties that receive subvention submit to the National Election Commission annual financial information on the subvention received and expenditures incurred from this subvention. This information includes a separate position and a table specifying quarterly and cumulative amounts. For candidates, all campaign activities are conducted and financed exclusively through election committees. This also includes the preparation and submission of financial reports. These reports must be submitted jointly with attached bank statements, detailing all obtained financial resources. This is possible because committees can only receive financial resources through the banking system. All accepted in-kind donations must be documented with source documentation that include their valuation. Source
Article 38.1-2, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Point 3, Attachment no. 2, Rozporządzenie Ministra Finansów w sprawie sprawozdania o źródłach pozyskania środków finansowych 2023 (Ordinance of the Minister of Finance on the report on sources of obtaining financial resources 2023) Wykazy szczegółowych źródeł pozyskania środków finansowych oraz wydatków poniesionych ze środków Funduszu Wyborczego, Rozporządzenie Ministra Finansów w sprawie sprawozdania o źródłach pozyskania środków finansowych 2023 (Lists of detailed sources of obtained financial resources and expenditures incurred from the Election Fund, Ordinance of the Minister of Finance on the report on sources of obtaining financial resources 2023) Article 34.1-3, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Item 10, Wykazy szczegółowych danych o otrzymanej subwencji oraz o poniesionych z subwencji wydatkach, Rozporządzenie Ministra Finansów w sprawie informacji finansowej o otrzymanej subwencji oraz o poniesionych z subwencji wydatkach 2023 (Lists of detailed data on the subvention received and the expenditures incurred from this subvention, Ordinance of the Minister of Finance on financial information on received subvention and on expenditures incurred from subvention 2023) Article 84 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 126, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point 2, page 2, Wyjaśnienia dotyczące zasad finansowania kampanii wyborczej w wyborach Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza 2025 (Clarifications regarding the principles of financing the election campaign in the election of the President of the Republic of Poland, National Election Commission 2025) Article 134 § 5, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 142 § 1 and 7, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point 3 a-b, Attachment no. 2, Rozporządzenie Ministra Finansów w sprawie sprawozdania finansowego komitetu wyborczego 2023 (Ordinance of the Minister of Finance on the financial report of the election committee 2023)
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54. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized spending? |
Code
Yes
Comment
Political parties are obliged to submit to the National Election Commission annual reports on the sources of obtained funds and expenditures incurred from the Election Fund. This report covers expenditures from the Election Fund, which are limited to transfers to the accounts of election committees. Other expenditures are disclosed within the attached bank statements, if the payments were made through bank transfers. Political parties that receive subvention submit to the National Election Commission information on the subvention received and expenditures incurred from this subvention. This information provides the cumulative amount for 11 types of expenditures, but 4 itemized lists that specifies only some of these expenses and allows to calculate only some of cumulates. Further details are disclosed within the bank statements attached to the political party’s annual report, if the payments were made through bank transfer. For candidates, all campaign activities are conducted and financed exclusively through election committees. This also includes the preparation and submission of financial reports. These reports contain cumulative amounts for a number of types of expenditures and 8 lists used to calculate some of them. Importantly, reports must be submitted jointly with bank statements and the entirety of source documentation, that documents all expenditures. Source
Article 38.1-2, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Point 3, Attachment no. 2, Rozporządzenie Ministra Finansów w sprawie sprawozdania o źródłach pozyskania środków finansowych 2023 (Ordinance of the Minister of Finance on the report on sources of obtaining financial resources 2023) Article 34.1-3, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Załącznik do rozporządzenia i Wykazy szczegółowych danych o otrzymanej subwencji oraz o poniesionych z subwencji wydatkach, Rozporządzenie Ministra Finansów w sprawie informacji finansowej o otrzymanej subwencji oraz o poniesionych z subwencji wydatkach 2023 (Attachment to the ordinance and Lists of detailed data on the subvention received and the expenditures incurred from this subvention, Ordinance of the Minister of Finance on financial information on received subvention and on expenditures incurred from subvention 2023) Article 84 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 126, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Point 2, page 2, Wyjaśnienia dotyczące zasad finansowania kampanii wyborczej w wyborach Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza 2025 (Clarifications regarding the principles of financing the election campaign in the election of the President of the Republic of Poland, National Election Commission 2025) Article 142 § 1 and 7, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Attachment no. 1 i Wykazy szczegółowych przychodów, wydatków i zobowiązań finansowych, Rozporządzenie Ministra Finansów w sprawie sprawozdania finansowego komitetu wyborczego 2023 (Attachment no. 1 and Detailed lists of revenue, expenses and financial liabilities, Ordinance of the Minister of Finance on the financial report of the election committee 2023) Point 3, Attachment no. 2, Rozporządzenie Ministra Finansów w sprawie sprawozdania finansowego komitetu wyborczego 2023 (Ordinance of the Minister of Finance on the financial report of the election committee 2023) Point 7, page 16, Wyjaśnienia dotyczące zasad finansowania kampanii wyborczej w wyborach Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza 2025 (Clarifications regarding the principles of financing the election campaign in the election of the President of the Republic of Poland, National Election Commission 2025) |
55. Which institution(s) receives financial reports from political parties and/or candidates? |
Code
EMB
Comment
Political parties submit financial reports to the National Election Commission. All parties are required to submit reports on the sources of funds and expenditures incurred from the Election Fund. Parties receiving subvention submit also separate reports on the subvention received and the expenditures made from this subvention, named as “information”. In the case of candidates, all their campaign activities are conducted and financed exclusively through election committees. This exclusivity also includes the preparation and submission of financial reports. Election committees submit reports to the National Election Commission, and in the case of local election committees of organizations or voters that aimed to register candidates in only voivodeship, to the relevant electoral commissar, depending on the committee’s headquarters. The same applies to all committees in the case of local by-elections, early elections or elections to a new council. Source
Article 38.1, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 142 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) |
56. Which institution(s) is responsible for examining financial reports and/or investigating violations? |
Code
Comment
All political party reports are submitted to and examined by the National Election Commission. Reports must be submitted by 31 March, and the Commission has 6 months from the date of submission to examine them and decide on acceptance, acceptance with indication of deficiencies or rejection in the case of specified in the law violations. Election committee’s reports are submitted and examined by the National Election Commission, and in the case of local election committees of organizations or voters that aimed to register candidates in only voivodeship, by the electoral commissioner. The same applies to all committees in the case of local by-elections, early elections or elections to a new council. Reports must be submitted within 3 months of the election day, and the relevant authority has 6 months from the date of submission to examine them and make a decision on acceptance, acceptance with indication of deficiencies or rejection in the case of violations specified in the law. While the electoral authorities examine the financial reports and based on the established facts decided about their acceptance or rejection, the institution responsible for investigating potential violations is the prosecutor’s office and, to certain extent, also the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau. Source
Article 38.1, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 38a 1, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 34.1-2, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 34a 1, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 142 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 144 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 2, ustawa Prawo o prokuraturze 2016 (Law on the Prosecutor’s Office 2016, consolidated text 2025) Article 3 § 1, ustawa Prawo o prokuraturze 2016 (Law on the Prosecutor’s Office 2016, consolidated text 2025) Article 2.1, point 1 c, ustawa o Centralnym Biurze Antykorupcyjnym 2006 (Law on Central Anti-Corruption Bureau 2006, consolidated text 2025) Article 49d, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) |
57. What power is granted to the institution(s) responsible for examining reports and/or investigating violations? |
Code
Carry out investigation
Refer for investigation
Request additional information from others
Request additional information from potential violator
Comment
Electoral authorities are responsible for examining financial reports, while the prosecutor’s office has the powers necessary to investigate violations. Source
Article 34a 2-4a, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 27b, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 144 § 3-6, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 56 § 1, ustawa Prawo o prokuratorze 2016 (Law on the Prosecutor’s Office 2016, consolidated text 2025) |
58. What sanctions are provided for political finance infractions? |
Code
Comment
The envisaged sanctions can be divided into two groups. Sanctions resulting from failure to submit, late submission, or rejection of a political party’s or election committee’s financial report, directly affecting these entities. Then, all other sanctions, including those related to violations that led to the rejection of these reports. Failure to submit, or later submission of a political party’s report on the sources of obtained resources is sanctioned, after a court decision, with the removal of the party’s entry from the register of parties, which means liquidation of the party. If the report is submitted, but rejected, the party loses its right to subvention for the next 3 years. Failure to submit, late submission or rejection of a political party’s financial information on the subvention received and the related expenditures, results for the party in losing its right to the subvention for one year. Failure to submit, or late submission of a political party’s election committee report, results with the party losing its right to both subvention and subsidy, while the committee of voters losing its right to subsidy. Rejection of this report is penalised with a reduction of the subvention and subsidy by an amount equivalent to three times the amount of funds obtained or spent in violation of the regulations (but not more than 75% of the amount due). Furthermore, benefits obtained in violation of the law, or their equivalent, are subject to forfeiture to the State Treasury. The related legal provisions, and some provisions related to other violations, are quoted below. Source
Article 38c. 1, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 38d, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 34c. 1, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 147 § 1, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 148, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 27c 1, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 49d, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 49e, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 49f, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 49g, ustawa o partiach politycznych 1997 (Law on Political Parties 1997, consolidated text 2023) Article 503, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 506, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 507, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) Article 509, Kodeks wyborczy 2011 (Election Code 2011, consolidated text 2025) |