Poland plans to eliminate its mandatory RTV license by January 1, 2027, transitioning public media to direct budget funding.
Low Effectiveness and System Change
The RTV license has long been one of the least effective instruments for funding state institutions, with only about 35% of obligated households regularly paying it. This low collection rate, rather than just public opposition to the “archaic fee,” has been a main argument for changing the system.
The Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, led by Marta Cienkowska, points out that the RTV license doesn’t fit the media market reality dominated by streaming platforms and on-demand services. The current model provides neither stable revenues nor social acceptance, leading to political tensions and repeated attempts to patch the system.
Transition Plan and Timeline
For the first time, a specific termination date has been provided: the obligation to pay the RTV license will be abolished on January 1, 2027. This means 2026 will be the final year citizens are required to pay it.
The bill is currently in the public consultation phase. The government expects it to reach the Sejm in February or March 2026. The legislative schedule is designed for new regulations to take effect without a transitional period, beginning in January 2027.
Public Media Funding Model
The elimination of the RTV license will mean a complete change in how public media are funded. Instead of a fee collected from citizens, Polish Television, Polish Radio, and other units will receive funds directly from the state budget.
The initial amount has been set at 2.5 billion zł annually. The Ministry of Culture emphasizes that this amount results from an audit of Polish Television and discussions with the Ministry of Finance. These funds are to be annually adjusted for inflation, which the authors believe will ensure stable funding and reduce annual political disputes during budget approval.
Government Concerns and Alternatives
The proposal for a fixed 2.5 billion zł subsidy, however, raises clear doubts within the government itself. The Ministry of Finance signals that such a high, rigid expense may be a significant burden on public finances, especially in the context of the EU’s excessive deficit procedure.
During analytical work, alternative solutions were also considered, including a universal audiovisual fee added to PIT and CIT taxes. This option was not included in the final bill, but according to unofficial information, a return to this concept is not completely excluded at a later stage.
Unpaid Debts and Constitutional Changes
An important element of the bill is the issue of unpaid RTV license obligations. The elimination of the fee does not automatically mean writing off outstanding debts. The Ministry of Culture has proposed that debts expire no later than December 31, 2028.
This provision draws opposition from the Ministry of State Assets, which considers the proposed deadline too short. The dispute concerns potential financial losses and the message sent to citizens who regularly paid the license for years. This issue may become one of the most contentious points in further legislative work.
The bill goes far beyond the abolition of the RTV license itself. One key constitutional change will be the elimination of the National Media Council. Its competencies are to be taken over by the National Council of Radio and Television (KRRiT), which itself will undergo a profound reform.
Media Governance Reforms
The plan calls for increasing the number of KRRiT members to nine. Four will be selected by the Sejm, two by the Senate, and three by the president, with the latter requiring support from industry organizations. The Council’s composition will be renewed rotationally every two years, which is intended to limit its political “freezing” to a single term.
Additionally, a requirement for apolitical and expert qualifications will be introduced. Candidates to KRRiT and managements of public media will not be allowed to belong to political parties for five years prior, nor to run in general elections for ten years. A minimum of five years of experience in media or media law will also be required.
The bill also introduces a new two-stage process for selecting managements of public media through open and transparent competitions. This is intended to respond to long-standing accusations of politicization of these institutions and lack of real merytoryczna control over appointments.
Controversies and Future Uncertainty
Provisions regarding local media also spark controversy. Local governments will only be allowed to publish informational bulletins, without publicistic or advertising content. The authors argue that the current model creates unfair competition with private media and blurs the line between information and propaganda.
The future of the reform remains uncertain. Provisions regarding the elimination of the National Media Council and changes to KRRiT may prove particularly contentious, as they target solutions introduced by the previous government.
An additional risk factor is the position of President Karol Nawrocki, who took office on August 6, 2025. The Presidential Palace unofficially signals that the bill may be vetoed if it doesn’t align with the president’s vision of the role of public media. This means the future of the RTV license and the entire reform could still become the subject of intense political negotiations.