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Poland’s Sejm, the lower house of parliament, has passed a wide-ranging bill that would ban the sale of alcoholic drinks nationwide at night. The restriction would apply from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., Poland’s public broadcaster TVP reported. Bars, restaurants and cafes would be exempt.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that 400 lawmakers voted in favor of the bill, 29 opposed it and four abstained. Polish officials say the measure is intended to strengthen public order and safety and prevent nighttime noise and offenses linked to alcohol consumption.
Under powers granted to local authorities, municipalities would be able to extend the restricted hours to run from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m., taking regional needs into account.
The bill also includes additional restrictions on the alcohol sector:
Advertising ban: The existing exemption for beer advertising would be abolished, and the promotion of all types of alcoholic beverages would be prohibited.
Age checks: Sales staff would be required to request proof of identity if they have doubts about a customer’s age.
Penalties: Individuals and legal entities that violate the restrictions could face fines of 30,000 to 1 million zlotys (about 6,000 to 228,000 euros) or other administrative measures.
For the bill to become law, it must be approved by the upper house of parliament, the Senate, and signed by the president. The legislation is planned to take effect on Jan. 1, 2027.
Warsaw, Krakow, Bydgoszcz, Gdansk and Szczecin have already been applying similar nighttime restrictions locally for some time.
