Night prohibition in Warsaw? Councilors will deal with the project at the next session

At the next session, councilors will consider a draft resolution on asking districts for their opinion on the introduction of a night prohibition throughout the city. The ban would cover shops and gas stations, with the exception of shops in the duty-free zone of Chopin Airport.

The night sales ban would apply from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. From November 1, 2025, the prohibition was introduced on a pilot basis in Śródmieście and Praga-Północ. The Mayor of Warsaw, Rafał Trzaskowski, declared that the restrictions would apply to the entire city by June 2026 at the latest.

The ban will not apply to shops in the duty-free zone of Chopin Airport. The justification for the resolution stated that the duty-free zone “is not a public, generally accessible space, and residents or tourists staying in Warsaw have access to it only for the purpose of traveling on the basis of a valid boarding pass and after undergoing a security check.”

“Additionally, it is not possible to freely leave and return to the restricted zone, or to transfer products purchased in the restricted zone to persons staying outside this zone. People purchase alcohol at retail outlets located in the restricted zone for export to their destination, and not for consumption on site. Alcohol is sold in this zone mainly for gift purposes to travelers, not for consumption purposes,” it was explained.

It was emphasized that alcoholic beverages purchased in stores located in this part of the airport do not enter the city, therefore the activities of these stores will not affect public order in the city.

The project is accompanied by a positive opinion of the city treasurer.

After a positive vote, the draft resolution will be sent to 18 district councils, which will have 30 days to issue an opinion.

According to the Marshal's Office, 30 cities and communes in Masovia have introduced a ban on the sale of alcohol in shops and gas stations at night. The year 2025 was a record year in this respect. At that time, several cities and communes in Masovia introduced or adopted appropriate resolutions introducing a night ban on the sale of alcohol. A year earlier, night prohibition was introduced by Ząbki. (PAP)

mas / joz /