From 2024 in Poland you will have to pay for the use of smartphones, computers and tablets

By decision of the Supreme Administrative Court (Naczelnego Sądu Administracyjnego) of March 7, 2023 (sygn. akt II GSK 94/20), owners of smartphones, computers and tablets must pay a subscription to RTV.

By decision of the Supreme Administrative Court (Naczelnego Sądu Administracyjnego) of March 7, 2023 (sygn. akt II GSK 94/20), owners of smartphones, computers and tablets must pay a subscription to RTV.

This came as a surprise to the Poles. Even if we don't have a radio or TV, but you use a smartphone or computer, you still have to pay for an RTV subscription. This is stated in the said decision of the Supreme Administrative Court (SAC).

The issue of paying for subscriptions is an issue that has been of great interest for many years. Previously, this was required only from owners of radios and televisions. But many Poles avoided paying this fee, despite the fact that they have televisions and radios at home. It was recognized that people who had smartphones or computers and at the same time did not have a television or radio at home did not have to pay the RTV license fee.

However, the SAC reasoned that “the subscription fee is charged to enable the implementation of a public mission and is related to the ability to use public radio and television, and not to the actual use of this opportunity on a specific type of device.”

It also came as a surprise to many to learn that an RTV subscription must be paid not only for the devices you have at home, but also for the receivers found in cars. At the same time, even if you do not have a TV or radio at home, but you use a smartphone, computer or tablet, then you also have to pay the RTV license fee regularly.

The SAC also considered the interpretation of the law and the definition of a radio or television receiver. The VAS clarified that consumers do not buy mobile devices to receive radio or television. But it does not matter. The main problem is that they allow you to receive television and radio.

Let us remind you that in 2024 the fee for 1 month of using the radio will be 8.70 zlotys per month (if the subscriber pays a subscription fee every month, then the fee for 12 months will be 104.40 zlotys). In turn, the fee for 1 month of using a television or radio receiver is 27.30 zlotys per month (if the subscriber pays a subscription fee every month, then the fee for 12 months will be 327.60 zlotys).

Sources: zinfo.pl, businessinsider.com.pl