On 3 November 2026, the Council of Ministers adopted four bill drafts prepared by the Ministry of Justice. They concern care of children after parents' separation, proceedings in consumer credit cases, daily rates of fines, and sanctions for violations of the Metrology Law. As stated by the government, the aim of the changes is to provide better protection for citizens and to improve the efficient operation of the judiciary.

Shared parental custody

Project UD349 amends the Family and Guardianship Code and introduces the definition of shared parental custody into Polish law. It is to assume the actual involvement of both parents in raising the child and providing ongoing care in recurring periods, which do not have to be of equal length. The provisions are to establish clear rules for caring for children after divorce or the parents' separation.

Consumer credit cases and court jurisdiction

Project UD383 concerns an amendment to the Code of Civil Procedure in cases related to consumer credits, also with respect to the so-called free-credit sanction, that is, the consumer's right to repayment of a loan without interest and other costs in cases provided for by law. Currently, many such cases reach courts in the largest cities, mainly in Warsaw, where banks and other financial institutions are headquartered. This leads to an uneven burden on courts and may prolong waiting times for decisions. The project provides for changing the rules of territorial jurisdiction to better distribute cases among courts across Poland. The changes are procedural and do not limit consumers' substantive rights to pursue claims.

Daily rates of fines

Project UD413 amends the Criminal Code and is to adjust the amount of daily fine rates to current economic conditions. The applicable limits have not changed for nearly 30 years. The project provides for increasing the minimum daily fine rate from 10 to 100 PLN and the maximum from 2,000 to 10,000 PLN. The method of determining the number of daily rates is not to change: the court is to take into account the gravity of the offence and the degree of the perpetrator's culpability, and, when determining a single daily rate, also the perpetrator's income, family situation, property, and earning capacity.

Penalty notices for Metrology Law violations

Project UD398 amends the Code of Procedure in Misdemeanour Cases and is to increase the effectiveness of sanctions for violations of the Metrology Law. In response, inter alia, to irregularities concerning measuring devices at fuel stations, it provides for raising the maximum fixed-fine penalty for specified violations to 3,000 PLN. The higher sanction is to enable more effective response and deter violations, and the amount of the penalty notice is to be adjusted to the nature and social harmfulness of the specific offence.

Decisions

  • On 3 November 2026, the Council of Ministers adopted a draft amendment to the Family and Guardianship Code (UD349): introduction of the definition of shared parental custody.
  • On 3 November 2026, the Council of Ministers adopted a draft amendment to the Code of Civil Procedure (UD383): streamlining of proceedings in consumer credit cases and changing the rules of territorial jurisdiction of courts.
  • On 3 November 2026, the Council of Ministers adopted a draft amendment to the Criminal Code (UD413): increasing daily fine rates to a minimum of 100 PLN and a maximum of 10,000 PLN.
  • On 3 November 2026, the Council of Ministers adopted a draft amendment to the Code of Procedure in Misdemeanour Cases (UD398): increasing the maximum fixed-fine penalty for specified Metrology Law violations to 3,000 PLN.