Vehicle insurance is a topic that will always remain on the lips of both foreigners and natives of Poland. As practice shows, local authorities regularly tighten requirements and increase possible fines for violation of compulsory insurance. That is why this topic requires constant review and discussion.
In our article for 2023, we have already considered how car insurance works in Poland, what types of insurance policies exist, what the cost and the size of penalties for drivers. Two years later, there have been many changes related to prices, penalties and more. That's why we would like to compare all the key points of car insurance in Poland in 2025 and what it has been a few years. This article will help you understand how insurance policies are organized, what types there are and how the cost is formed. Here we go!
Is it obligatory to insure a car in Poland?
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Many people wonder whether it is necessary to take out vehicle insurance in Poland. In most cases, such thoughts visit foreigners from post-Soviet countries. The only answer is that every registered vehicle must have a compulsory insurance policy in Poland. This is a principle that has remained unchanged for many years. Moreover, such requirements are present in almost every country on our planet. You can read more about the legal basis and the law on compulsory insurance in Poland on the official website.
So, is it possible to avoid such high fines for violation? Yes - you have only two options. The first option is to purchase a new compulsory insurance policy for your car. The second way is to simply deregister your car. This way your vehicle can sit idle and you don't have to worry about a potential fine. We've already covered how to deregister a car in Poland - read more here!
What happens if you ignore the current requirements and local law? In that case, you will face a fine. SPOILER: compared to 2023, the amount of penalties for not having a compulsory insurance policy in Poland has increased a lot. However, we will cover the topic of fines and their amounts at the end of this article.
Insurance for cars with Polish license plates
Let us start considering the topic of insurance for cars that are driven in Poland on local license plates. Foreigners can also fall into this group. In Poland, every owner of a car with Polish license plates is obliged to take out compulsory OC (Odpowiedzialność Cywilna) insurance. This insurance covers losses caused to third parties as a result of a traffic accident. OC is mandatory regardless of whether the car is in operation or not - the policy must be active all the time, otherwise the owner faces a fine from the Ubezpieczeniowego Funduszu Gwarancyjnego (UFG), up to several thousand zlotys. Here is an example: imagine that you came to Poland from Ukraine and have been living here for several years. You have saved up a certain amount of money to buy a second-hand car. After the car is officially registered, you will need a compulsory insurance policy.
What other solutions are there? One of the options that car owners can additionally take out is called Autocasco (AC). This type of insurance policy is already voluntary and covers more damage/damage. For example, AC works for cases such as:
Accidents.
Theft.
Vandalism.
Natural disasters.
This insurance is often purchased by those who have just bought a new car from the showroom and do not want to take any risks. There are also some extensions available for OS and AC insurance policies. We are talking about Assistance (roadside assistance) and NNW (accident insurance). Different insurance companies offer different extras (extensions) to insurance policies. It could be a free tow truck in case of an accident or a temporary replacement car. Some packages also include insurance for tires, windows, and more.
Insurance for cars with foreign license plates
What about foreigners who enter Poland with a car with a different license plate? Is it necessary to take out an insurance policy for the vehicle? Let's start to understand in order. To enter Poland by car with foreign license plates, you need a valid green card policy (Zielona Karta). This document allows you to enter EU countries, including Poland, by your own car with foreign license plates. However, since recently Poland does not officially recognize green cards issued in Russia and Belarus.
An alternative for foreign cars is temporary insurance OC Graniczne. This type of policy is taken out directly at the border or online before traveling, is valid from 30 to 365 days and covers compulsory liability to third parties.
Want to see a real-life example of a green card? Imagine that you live in Ukraine and are planning a move to Poland in advance. You need to take care of all aspects so that you can cross the state border on your car without any problems. For this purpose you need to apply for a green card (Green Card).
Learn how to get a Green Card to enter the EU
How much does it cost to insure a car in Poland for a year?
There is no fixed price for car insurance in Poland. The price is calculated individually on the basis of more than 250 parameters. What is taken into account first of all?
Brand and model of the vehicle.
The year of manufacture of the vehicle.
Engine type and mileage.
Owner's age and driving experience.
Region of registration.
Therefore, if you are offered a specific price without detailed information about you and your car, it is most likely an attempt to deceive you. Self-respecting insurers conduct a preliminary questionnaire or use online calculators before giving you a quote. Among the reliable insurance companies in Poland are Warta and Ergo Hestia. Of course, you may also come across other major insurance companies. However, popularity ≠ reliability. We recommend studying reviews in detail and consulting with agents before buying a policy. They offer both compulsory and comprehensive policies. Moreover, most of them have created special cost calculators.
What about temporary insurances such as Green Card and OC Graniczne? Their cost is around 150 zlotys per month. If you buy for 11 months it will be 1650 PLN = 150*11. However, it is more profitable to buy an annual package - its price is about 944 PLN, which allows you to save significantly. These are the prices provided by Warta insurance company today, which is the best offer on the market. IMPORTANT: the final amount of insurance in your case may vary. Most companies do some kind of promotions. For example, if you buy a 12-month OC policy, you can get a Green Card from just 20 PLN.
How to find out if someone else's car is insured? This is another important point that we want to share with you in this article. It's pretty simple - you can get all the information you need about the car online, specifically through the government website. Just enter the license plate number to see key information, including insurance availability. This comes in handy in different situations, such as when buying a car off hand.
Current penalties for lack of an insurance policy
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As we said at the beginning of this article, the absence of a compulsory insurance policy in Poland is punishable by a monetary fine. Over the last 2 years, the amounts of these fines have increased a lot. Let's understand how the fines are formed today. The amount of the fine is formed on the basis of the minimum wage set in Poland for the current year. The base amount is considered to be two times the minimum wage - this is what is applied to passenger cars when overdue for more than 14 days. For trucks, three times the minimum wage is used, and for motorcycles, one times the minimum wage is used. Further, the amount of the fine is reduced depending on the period of delay. Read more about the fines here.
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If a passenger car has no insurance from 1 to 3 days - the fine will be 1870 PLN. If the delay is from 4 to 14 days, the amount increases to 4670 PLN, and for a violation of more than 14 days - already 9330 PLN. For comparison, in 2023, the maximum fine for the same delay was PLN 6980 - that is, in 2025 it increased by more than 30%.
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For truck or bus drivers, the penalty is even stricter. If insurance is missing for more than two weeks, the fine can be up to 14,000 PLN. The control is carried out by the Ubezpieczeniowy Fundusz Gwarancyjny (UFG), which uses digital systems to check the car even without stopping on the road.
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What fines apply to foreign cars that entered Poland without a valid Green Card or OC Graniczne? According to the official source, it is possible to see the exact amount of fines in these cases:
For example, you drive a car with Ukrainian registration into Poland. At the same time you forgot to purchase a Green Card or OC Graniczne. The final amount of the fine will depend on the type of your car, as we have already mentioned above.
What are the problems and difficulties when insuring a car in Poland?
Photoshop has become a very common problem lately. What do we mean? Scammers have emerged who use photoshop programs to fake policies and sell them for a suspiciously low value. When stopped by a police brigade, the fake insurance policy will quickly be exposed. Another problem is the sale of commission-based 30-day insurance policies. These can be canceled after verification by the company. In such a case, you will face a hefty monetary penalty, which we described above.
How to get insurance in Poland today?
The above-mentioned fines may be one of the reasons why most car owners in Poland do not violate the requirement to have a compulsory insurance policy. No one wants to pay several thousand PLN, because it would be cheaper just to take out an insurance policy. However, there are many peculiarities and pitfalls. You will have to contact one of the leading insurance companies operating in Poland. Instead, the best solution is to contact a personal insurance agent.
At aksis, we provide personalized insurance services for everything you can imagine and more. Surely, we also provide comprehensive assistance with vehicle insurance policies in Poland. No matter what kind of car you have, how old you are or how much driving experience you have, we will promptly calculate the exact cost and find the best solution. We will also advise you on insurance claims, benefits, damage calculations and how to proceed in case of an accident. Contact us now for a free consultation from an insurance expert in Poland with over 10 years of experience. Your car is in safe hands with aksis!
