Blood Alcohol Limits in Poland
ALL Drivers
- Maximum: 0.2 promille (0.02%)
- One of Europe's strictest limits
- Effectively near-zero tolerance
- Applies to everyone equally
Important: Two Categories
0.2-0.5 promille (Wykroczenie - Offense)
- Administrative offense
- Fine: Up to 5,000 PLN
- Points: 10 points
- License suspension: 6 months - 3 years
Over 0.5 promille (Przestepstwo - Crime)
- Criminal offense
- Mandatory prison: Up to 2 years
- License revocation: 3-15 years
- Vehicle confiscation possible
- Criminal record
Severe Enforcement
Poland takes drink driving very seriously:
- Random roadside checks common
- Refusing test = same as criminal BAC
- Mandatory prison for criminal level
- Even small amounts can put you over 0.2
Practical Advice
- Don't drink ANY alcohol if driving
- Even one beer can exceed 0.2 promille
- "Morning after" is a real risk
- Medication containing alcohol can trigger positive
Consequences Beyond Legal
- Job loss (especially drivers)
- Insurance voided
- Social stigma
- Long-term driving ban