The Polish government has prepared a draft of changes to the rules for passenger transport, including taxis operating through mobile applications. The main goal of the changes is to enhance passenger safety and protect them from unscrupulous carriers and inflated prices
Drivers from countries outside the EU and EFTA will be required to provide a certificate of no criminal record not only from the Polish National Criminal Register but also from their home country. The document will need to be translated by a sworn translator or certified at a consulate.
The list of crimes that will disqualify individuals from obtaining a taxi license will also be expanded. It will include, among other things, tax offenses, violations of transport safety regulations, crimes against property and documents, as well as drug trafficking. Those who have been banned by a court from driving a vehicle will also be denied a license
A nationwide identifier for taxi drivers will be introduced. With its help, passengers will be able to verify that the driver has the necessary permits and is authorized to work officially
The changes will also affect vehicles. Taxis will be required to undergo additional technical inspections and have OC insurance confirming the use of the vehicle for passenger transport. Services and intermediaries through which rides are ordered will be obliged to check for the presence of these documents.
When applying for a license, a vehicle registration certificate marked TAXI will need to be provided. This will also protect buyers of used cars — it will become impossible to hide that a vehicle was previously used as a taxi
Applications for ride-hailing will have to meet cash register system requirements under VAT law
Special attention will be paid to pricing. Gminas will gain more authority to set maximum fares for transport, including for rides ordered through applications. The new rules will also apply to transport by vehicles with 8–9 seats: passengers will need to be shown the cost of the ride in advance and obtain their consent.
The new rules are planned to be adopted in the first quarter of 2027
What This Means for Foreigners
The changes are particularly important for foreigners who work as taxi drivers or through aggregator applications, as well as for passengers using such services
For drivers from countries outside the EU and EFTA, including Belarus and Ukraine, there will be an additional formality: they will need to obtain a certificate of no criminal record in their home country in advance and prepare its translation. This may take time, so it is better to arrange the documents in advance
For passengers, the new rules should make rides safer. They will help reduce the risk of encountering illegal carriers, drivers without permits, or unexpectedly high prices. Maximum fares and mandatory notification of the ride cost before it begins should better protect clients, especially tourists and new residents of Poland.
Krajowy identyfikator kierowcy umożliwi również szybką weryfikację, że osoba za kierownicą ma uprawnienia do pracy w taksówce.
