A recent survey reveals over 93% of Polish readers believe consumer protection laws are inadequate, following reports of clients defrauded of tens of thousands of złoty.
Clients Demand Refunds After Unfulfilled Orders
On April 22nd, reports surfaced detailing clients who paid substantial advances for flooring and other home improvements, but never received the completed work. These clients have lost tens of thousands of złoty and have been attempting for months to recover their funds or compel completion of the projects. The case is under investigation by prosecutors, with additional individuals coming forward with similar complaints regarding the contractor.
Consumer Protection in Poland Faces Skepticism
A survey was conducted to gauge public opinion on the effectiveness of consumer protection laws in such situations. The results indicate widespread doubt among readers.
Overwhelmingly Negative Response
A decisive 74.42% (2491 participants) answered “definitely not” when asked if Polish laws adequately protect consumers. Another 19.03% (637 readers) responded “rather not,” bringing the total negative response rate to over 93%.
Limited Positive Sentiment
Only 2.51% (84 respondents) answered “rather yes,” and 1.97% (66 respondents) answered “definitely yes.” A small percentage of participants (2.06%) expressed no opinion. Positive responses and those with no opinion combined represent less than 7% of all votes. The survey collected 3347 votes on April 24, 2026.
How Consumer Protection Works in Poland
Several legal acts in Poland govern the relationship between consumers and businesses, outlining procedures for resolving disputes. Key legislation includes the Civil Code and the Consumer Rights Act, allowing for things like a 14-day cancellation period for online purchases.
These laws are supplemented by regulations concerning unfair market practices and mandatory price transparency, aiming to prevent misleading offers. This translates to the ability to return online purchases without justification or file a complaint for defective products.
Oversight and Enforcement
Public institutions at various levels oversee compliance with these laws. The Office for Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) monitors the market and can impose penalties on violating companies, while local and district consumer rights advocates provide support to clients. The Trade Inspection also conducts quality control checks on goods and services. Polish regulations align with European Union standards, ensuring consistent protection for online purchases.
Consumers can report issues to a consumer rights advocate, and in some cases, seek intervention from UOKiK, particularly when contracts contain misleading clauses.