Changes to the regulations that entered into force on January 2, 2026 concern grass burning and lighting fires in forests, meadows and peat bogs.
The rest of the article below the video:
The amendment to the Code of Petty Offenses and the Code of Procedure in Petty Offense Cases was prepared by the Ministry of Justice, and President Karol Nawrocki signed it on December 15.
The new regulations provide for higher sanctions for burning grass and lighting fires in places particularly vulnerable to fires. The maximum fine for causing a fire hazard is currently PLN 30,000. PLN (previously it was PLN 5,000), and fines for offenses increased from PLN 500 to PLN 5,000. zloty.
See also: Will alimony workers walk? A new way to deal with debtors
Changes in law from January 2026. Amendment to the Petty Offenses Code
The amendment also provides for the abolition of the penalty of a reprimand and the introduction of a penalty of restriction of liberty in relation to paragraphs 1, 2, 4 and 5 of Art. 82 of the Petty Offenses Code. This applies to acts that may cause a fire, promote its spread or impede rescue or evacuation operations.
See also: Two tax revolutions in 2026. You need to know them
The same penalties will apply to persons who did not ensure appropriate fire protection conditions for the facility or area. Sanctions also apply to burning grass at a distance of less than 100 m from buildings, forests and other such places, as well as to situations when burning obstructs road traffic.
The same consequences will apply to people who, among others: they do not properly supervise the burning site.
Higher penalties from 2026. Deputy minister: the state must react
“Any risk of fire is a real threat to human life and health, huge losses to the environment and property, as well as a danger to firefighters and rescue services,” emphasizes Deputy Minister of Justice Arkadiusz Myrcha.
“The state must react decisively where recklessness or intentional action exposes others to tragedy. That is why we are introducing penalties that will actually deter and strengthen public safety,” he adds.
