Car Insurance in Poland for Foreigners: OC, Fines and Buying a Used Car
Short answer: every car registered in Poland must have third-party liability insurance (OC) – it is tied to the car, not to the driver. When you buy a used car, the seller’s policy passes to you and you can keep it until it ends. Driving without OC costs PLN 1,920 to PLN 9,610 in 2026 for a passenger car. Comprehensive cover (AC) is optional.
Help with the paperwork
Start with a message
Bringing a car to Poland or registering one here? We handle the excise declaration online for clients anywhere in Poland (PLN 250) and register cars in Warsaw on your behalf: PLN 350 + PLN 160 in official fees. We can also arrange insurance. Send photos of the documents on WhatsApp – we answer in English, including evenings and weekends.
Since 2008 · over 2,000 excise cases and about 1,000–1,200 registrations a year
OC, AC, NNW, assistance – what each one covers
| Policy | Mandatory? | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| OC (third-party liability) | Yes | Damage you cause to other people: their vehicles, property and health. It does not cover your own car. |
| AC (comprehensive, “autocasco”) | No | Damage to your own car: accident, theft, weather, vandalism. Terms and excess differ between insurers – read the exclusions. |
| NNW (personal accident) | No | A payout for the driver and passengers after an accident. |
| Assistance | No | Towing and roadside help; the scope depends on the package. |
The OC policy is tied to the vehicle, not to the driver: it works no matter who is at the wheel.
When you need the policy
- Car bought in Poland: the seller’s OC passes to you on the day of purchase (art. 31 of the Compulsory Insurance Act). You can keep it until it expires or terminate it in writing at any time. It will not renew automatically, so buy a new policy before it ends.
- Car imported and not yet registered in Poland: until Polish registration the policy from the country of previous registration usually applies – confirm the terms with the insurer. A Polish OC policy must be in place no later than the day of registration.
- Car on foreign plates: a car registered in another EU country is covered by its home policy. A car from outside the EU needs a valid Green Card or border insurance.
Fines for driving without OC in 2026
The Insurance Guarantee Fund (Ubezpieczeniowy Fundusz Gwarancyjny, UFG) compares the register of vehicles with the register of policies automatically. The fine arrives by post – no police stop is needed.
| Gap without OC | Passenger car, 2026 |
|---|---|
| up to 3 days | PLN 1,920 |
| 4–14 days | PLN 4,810 |
| more than 14 days | PLN 9,610 |
You can check whether a given car has a valid policy free of charge at ufg.pl.
What affects the price
Insurers look at the driver’s age and claims history, the make, engine power and age of the car, and the place where the owner lives. A documented claim-free history from another country can lower the price with some insurers – ask before you buy and have the certificate from your previous insurer ready. Compare a few offers: the differences for the same car and driver can be large.
Insurance and registration – the order of steps
- Buy the car and keep the contract or invoice. For a car brought from another EU country, settle the excise tax first.
- Make sure the car has a valid OC policy for the day of registration.
- Apply for registration within 30 days – see car registration in Poland for foreigners. The late fee is PLN 500, and PLN 1,000 after 180 days.
- After you receive the Polish plates, give the insurer the new registration number.
Questions and answers
Is car insurance mandatory in Poland?
Yes. Every vehicle registered in Poland must have third-party liability insurance (OC) for the whole time it is registered, even when it is not driven. Comprehensive cover (AC) is optional.
Can a foreigner buy car insurance in Poland?
Yes. The OC policy is tied to the vehicle, not to citizenship. Insurers ask for the vehicle documents and the owner’s details; many also ask about your driving history, which affects the price.
What happens to the insurance when I buy a used car in Poland?
The seller’s OC policy passes to you together with the car. You may keep it until it ends or terminate it in writing and buy your own. A policy taken over from the seller does not renew automatically.
What is the fine for no car insurance in Poland in 2026?
For a passenger car the Insurance Guarantee Fund (UFG) charges PLN 1,920 for a gap of up to 3 days, PLN 4,810 for 4–14 days and PLN 9,610 for more than 14 days.
How can I check if a car is insured in Poland?
Free of charge on the UFG website (ufg.pl): enter the registration number or VIN and the date you are asking about.
Do I need Polish insurance for a car on foreign plates?
A car registered in another EU country is covered by its home policy. A car from outside the EU needs a valid Green Card or border insurance bought when entering Poland. Once you register the car in Poland, you need a Polish OC policy.
Sources (as of 14 November 2026): Compulsory Insurance Act (ustawa o ubezpieczeniach obowiązkowych, UFG i PBUK) – art. 23, 31, 32, 88; UFG – fees for lack of compulsory insurance in 2026 (ufg.pl); Road Traffic Act (Prawo o ruchu drogowym) – art. 73aa, 140mb.
See also: Car registration in Poland for foreigners · Buying a used car in Poland · Car excise tax in Poland · Register a UK car in Poland
In English: Registration for foreigners · How to register a car · Car registration in Warsaw · Registration costs · Used car registration · Steps, documents and fees · Polish license plates · Registration office · Buying a car as a foreigner · Selling a car · Excise tax · Excise refund · Importing a car · Import from the USA · Import from China · UK car in Poland · Without a Polish company · Export plates
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