Yes, ticket scalping is permitted in Poland but subject to strict regulatory constraints enforced by the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) and the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage.
Poland does not criminalize secondary ticket sales outright, yet scalpers must comply with consumer protection laws, transparency requirements, and anti-fraud provisions under the 2014 Act on Combating Unfair Market Practices. Recent amendments slated for 2026 introduce mandatory disclosure of original ticket prices and seller identities to curb exploitative pricing. Violations may trigger fines up to PLN 2 million (approx. EUR 450,000) or criminal liability for fraud if misrepresentation occurs.
Key Regulations for Scalping Tickets in Poland
- Transparency Obligations: Sellers must disclose the original face value of tickets and their own identity in all listings (UOKiK Guideline 2023).
- Prohibition of Misleading Practices: Scalpers cannot falsify ticket authenticity or claim exclusive access without evidence (Article 12 of the Unfair Market Practices Act).
- Event-Specific Restrictions: For high-demand events (e.g., UEFA matches, national concerts), organizers may impose resale bans or price caps via contracts enforced by the Ministry of Culture.
Platforms facilitating scalping (e.g., Allegro, OLX) must implement verification systems to flag non-compliant listings or face joint liability under the 2021 Digital Services Act transposition. Enforcement actions prioritize platforms with repeat violations, as seen in UOKiK’s 2024 crackdown on 12 major resale sites.