SUD.UA in the world, 12 October 2026
Poland plans to introduce a nationwide ban on alcohol sales at night, completely prohibit the advertising of alcoholic beverages, including beer, and double the fees for alcohol trade permits. The new rules are set to take effect on January 1, 2027. The Polish Sejm has passed a law that significantly tightens restrictions on the sale and advertising of alcoholic beverages. The changes concern nighttime alcohol sales, alcohol advertising, age verification of buyers, packaging requirements, and the cost of trade permits.
Poland will ban alcohol sales from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM
One of the main innovations is a nationwide ban on alcohol sales during nighttime hours from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM. At the same time, the restrictions will not apply, in particular, to catering establishments. Additionally, local authorities will have the right to impose additional restrictions on alcohol sales for consumption outside the place of sale. Specifically, communities will be able to prohibit alcohol sales also from 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM and from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM.
Alcohol advertising, including beer, will be completely banned
The law provides for a complete ban on advertising and promotion of all alcoholic beverages, including beer. Violations of the new requirements will be severely punished — with fines ranging from 30,000 to 1 million zlotys or imprisonment. Thus, the new rules will strengthen the existing restrictions on alcohol advertising in Poland.
Alcohol sellers will be required to verify buyers’ age
The rules for verifying the age of people buying alcohol will also change. If the seller has doubts about the buyer’s adulthood, they will be obliged to check the buyer’s age with a document. As Prawo publication points out, currently Polish law only gives the seller the right to request a document confirming the buyer’s age. Under the new rules, if the buyer does not present the appropriate document, the seller will be obliged to refuse the sale of alcohol.
Alcohol packaging will feature warnings about its harm
The new requirements will also apply to the packaging of alcoholic beverages. In particular, alcohol in containers up to 300 ml will be allowed to be sold only in glass or metal packaging. Additionally, the packaging must have visible warnings:
- about the particular harm of alcohol consumption by pregnant women;
- about the prohibition of driving vehicles while intoxicated or after consuming alcohol;
- about the particular harm of alcohol consumption by persons under 18 years of age.
Alcohol sale permits in Poland will double in price
The law also provides for an increase in fees for permits to sell alcoholic beverages.
Specifically:
- For alcohol with strength up to 18% — the fee will increase from 525 to 1050 zlotys.
- For alcohol with strength over 18% — from 2100 to 4200 zlotys.
Thus, the cost of the respective permits will double.
When the new alcohol sale restrictions will take effect
According to the document adopted by the Sejm, the new rules are to come into force on January 1, 2027. At the same time, for the law to take full effect, it must undergo the remaining procedures provided for by Polish legislation.