During the deliberations, MPs drew attention to key issues related to the budget, such as lower VAT revenues compared to 2025, agricultural expenditure and investments. The deputy minister of finance and head of the National Audit Office, Marcin Łoboda, referring to parliamentarians' questions, pointed out that budget revenues in relation to GDP are to increase from 18.9 percent. in 2025 to 19.3 percent in 2026. He also recalled that the VAT gap, which was 13.5% in 2023, was limited to 6.9%. in 2024. He added that 290,000 were detected in 2024. empty invoices, which is an increase of 100,000 compared to the previous year.
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Expenditures, deficit and tax revenues – key figures of the draft budget
Deputy Minister of Finance Hanna Majszczyk explained that the increase in the budget deficit by PLN 30 billion is due to, among others, from including the 13th and 14th pensions in budget financing from 2024. She also drew attention to worse revenues from VAT and other indirect taxes, which she explained by inflation and the increase in citizens' savings, which in the second quarter of 2024 reached 8.8%. income. Majszczyk also emphasized that the Polish Order program for local governments is still in operation, and spending on science has increased by 5.3%, partly thanks to EU funds.
During the debate, PiS and Confederation MPs submitted motions to reject the draft budget. Additionally, PiS proposed amendments regarding, among others: increasing spending on health care, science and active forms of combating unemployment, as well as 7% wage increases in the public sector. The Razem parliamentary group called for the abandonment of restrictions on the budget of the Ministry of Justice, which would affect the remuneration of court employees. The chairman of the Public Finance Committee, Janusz Cichoń (KO), in turn, submitted technical corrections.
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Record funds for defense and health, stable debt level
The draft budget act for 2026 assumes expenditure of PLN 918.9 billion, with revenues of PLN 647.2 billion, which means a deficit of PLN 271.7 billion. Revenues from VAT are expected to amount to PLN 341.5 billion, from excise tax – PLN 103.3 billion, from CIT – PLN 80.4 billion, and from PIT – PLN 32 billion. Public debt in relation to GDP is to be 53.8%, which remains below the precautionary threshold of 55%.
The budget provides for record spending on national defense, which is expected to exceed PLN 200 billion, which corresponds to 4.81 percent. GDP. These funds are to be used to modernize the army and strengthen the security system. PLN 247.8 billion, i.e. 6.81%, was planned for health care. GDP, with priority for investment in medical infrastructure and human resources. Expenditures on roads and railways will amount to PLN 53.9 billion, of which PLN 20.1 billion will come from the state budget.
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