• In 2025, the President of UOKiK issued 900 decisions in the field of competition and consumer protection. He imposed PLN 1.15 billion in fines.
• Last year saw consistent action on price transparency, unfair practices in the financial sector, and interventions in cases of market collusion.
• The Supreme Audit Office gave a positive assessment of UOKiK’s activities.

Manipulative promotions in e-commerce, pseudo-ecological marketing by large brands, mechanisms increasing customer bills, and collusion affecting Polish farmers were among the most widely discussed consumer and market issues of 2025. The President of UOKiK responded decisively, having a tangible impact on changing business practices. UOKiK’s activities covered global sales platforms, major banks and telecommunications operators, as well as the agricultural machinery market and marketing aimed at children. The result? A clear signal to the market: transparency and fair competition are not an image option, but a binding standard.

– It was a year of decisive action – both against unfair market practices and collusion restricting competition. I imposed over PLN 1 billion in sanctions on businesses that violated the regulations. However, our actions are not limited to penalties; they also bring about real changes in business practices and fair compensation for customers. We are building a market in which transparency, honesty and a level playing field prevail. We ensure that consumers are not the weaker party in their relations with businesses – emphasises Tomasz Chróstny, President of UOKiK.

UOKiK in numbers

The total number of decisions issued by the President of UOKiK in 2025 was 900, of which 369 concerned competition protection and 530 concerned consumer protection matters. The total amount of fines imposed was PLN 1.15 billion, including over PLN 580 million for practices restricting competition and PLN 545 million for practices infringing the collective interests of consumers and for the use of contractual clauses declared unlawful.

Last year, some decisions issued in previous years also became final. In this respect, entrepreneurs paid over PLN 307 million to the state budget. This amount may be higher in 2026, as enforcement proceedings have commenced in connection with the finalisation of the decision of the President of UOKiK in the Gazprom case. The Russian company failed to provide information in the ongoing proceedings concerning the financing of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline without the required consent of the President of UOKiK. Gazprom is to pay PLN 174 million, and the enforcement proceedings are being conducted by the Warsaw-Śródmieście Tax Office.

In addition to the penalties imposed, as a result of the actions taken by the President of UOKiK in 2025 (binding decisions, preliminary investigations, and soft calls), consumers are entitled to benefits amounting to at least PLN 160 million.

Consumer protection

In 2025, we actively combated irregularities in the financial market. The highest penalties for violations of consumer rights concerned irregularities in the processing of applications for mortgage payment holidays. Pekao and Pekao Bank Hipoteczny shortened the mortgage repayment suspension period and disproportionately extended the repayment period. The President of UOKiK imposed a total of nearly PLN 119 million in fines on the banks.

Another important decision in 2025 concerned the telecommunications market and the company P4, the operator of the Play network. The company offered a discount for e-invoices and timely payments, but if a consumer was late with a payment, they lost the discount and their next bill increased. The President of UOKiK imposed a fine of nearly PLN 110 million on P4. He also ordered the company to refund customers the amounts collected in connection with the loss of the discount. 

In the case of another telecommunications operator, T-Mobile, the President of UOKiK issued a binding decision. The proceedings revealed that, in relation to the ‘Order with T-Mobile’ service, there were situations in which customers received bills for subscriptions to which they had not consented. The President of UOKiK obliged the operator to change its practice, and consumers will receive a refund of the unduly collected fees and compensation in the amount of PLN 500.

A binding decision was also issued against PayPal. The practices in question concerned changes to the agreement based on an unfair modification clause and incorrect notification of changes to fees. The President of UOKiK obliged the undertaking to cease the practices, refund the fees related to their application and pay compensation to consumers. The decision is final and the company’s customers are receiving compensation.

The President of UOKiK also found that Bank Pekao SA repeatedly exceeded the deadlines for responding to complaints and failed to explain the reasons for the delay. According to the decision, customers will receive substantial compensation, and the bank has set aside almost PLN 100 million for this purpose.

Among the proceedings initiated, it is worth noting, among others, the charges brought against Live Nation for the use of abusive clauses. Six provisions of the model contracts used by the company raised concerns, for example the ban on bringing luggage to events organised by Live Nation and mandatory fees for depositing backpacks and bags in storage.

It is also worth mentioning activities related to greenwashing. In 2025, the President of UOKiK formulated the first allegations in this regard. The marketing practices of Allegro, DHL, DPD and InPost may have misled consumers who, encouraged by eco-friendly slogans, chose more expensive products or delivery methods in the belief that they were supporting the environment.

UOKiK also had serious doubts about marketing activities targeting the youngest consumers online. The President of UOKiK has initiated two preliminary investigations into the activities of influencers popular with younger audiences.

Competition protection

In 2025, we actively combated collusion restricting competition, the adverse effects of which were felt by Polish farmers. This resulted in decisions concerning agricultural machinery dealers. The first of these concerned Claas Polska and five Claas machinery dealers. The undertakings divided the market among themselves. The fines imposed amounted to over PLN 170 million. In another decision, the President of UOKiK imposed a fine of nearly PLN 340 million on CNH Industrial Polska, seven agricultural machinery distributors and two managers for long-standing price collusion and market division scheme. The undertakings divided customers and areas of operation among themselves.

2025 also saw the dismantling of a nearly ten-year-long collusion between Jura Poland and the owners of RTV Euro AGD, Media Markt and Media Expert stores. The entrepreneurs were jointly agreeing on prices for Jura coffee machines and thus consumers could not buy those products at a lower cost. The President of UOKiK has imposed more than PLN 66 million fine on entrepreneurs. In addition, a person responsible for the prohibited agreement was fined with almost PLN 250 thousand.

Last year, we also continued our efforts to combat collusion in the labour market. The President of UOKiK brought charges against the owner of the Biedronka chain and 32 transport companies, as well as eight managers and company owners. UOKiK is investigating whether the undertakings entered into an agreement aimed at limiting the possibility of drivers moving between transport companies serving the distribution centres of the Biedronka chain. 

– We will not slow down in 2026 – despite serious budget shortfalls and underinvestment, we intend to exercise our powers very actively, with strong determination to better protect consumers and honest undertakings – emphasises Tomasz Chróstny, President of UOKiK.

Positive assessment by the Supreme Audit Office (NIK)

It is worth noting that in September last year, the Supreme Audit Office submitted to UOKiK the results of an audit conducted between October 2024 and March 2025. The ad hoc audit covered five years and concerned all areas of the UOKiK’s activity. The Council of NIK issued a positive assessment of the activities of the President of UOKiK.