Whistleblower law in Poland #
Poland transposed EU Directive 2019/1937 through the Ustawa z dnia 14 czerwca 2024 r. o ochronie sygnalistów, which entered into force on September 25, 2024. Poland has criminal penalties including prison time for obstruction and retaliation.
Law #
Ustawa z dnia 14 czerwca 2024 r. o ochronie sygnalistów — entered into force September 25, 2024.
Who must comply #
Employers with 50+ employees. Internal procedures required by January 1, 2025. Source: DLA Piper
Penalties #
- Not establishing internal reporting procedures: fine of PLN 20–5,000 (~€5–€1,200). Management board members personally liable. Source: RSM Poland
- Preventing or obstructing reporting: fine up to PLN 1,080,000 (~€250,000), restriction of liberty, or up to 1 year imprisonment. With violence or threats: up to 3 years. Source: Clifford Chance
- Retaliation: fine, restriction of liberty, or up to 2 years imprisonment. Source: Kochański & Partners
- Disclosing whistleblower identity: fine, restriction of liberty, or up to 1 year imprisonment. Source: DLA Piper
Enforcement #
Rzecznik Praw Sygnalistów (Independent Authority for Whistleblower Protection) — operations commence September 1, 2025.