Eurofound's EU PolicyWatch collates information on the responses of government and social partners to the COVID-19 crisis, the war in Ukraine, rising inflation, as well as gathering examples of company practices aimed at mitigating the social and economic impacts.
Factsheet for measure PL-2022-4/2120 – Updated – measures in Poland
| Country | Poland , applies nationwide |
| Time period | Temporary, 20 January 2022 – 30 June 2023 |
| Context | COVID-19 |
| Type | Legislations or other statutory regulations |
| Category |
Promoting the economic, labour market and social recovery into a green future
– Support for spending, stimulus packages |
| Author | Monika Helak (Polityka Insight) and Eurofound |
| Measure added | 09 January 2022 (updated 04 June 2025) |
In 2021 Poland witnessed a leap in inflation rate unseen in the 21st century. The annual rate (December-to-December) is estimated to be 8.6%, according to the national statistics (GUS). The government, seeking policy solutions cushioning the social and economic impact of drastically increasing prices (which it sees as at least partially caused by COVID-19 and its aftermath) came up with a new set on anti-crisis measures under the banner of the Government Anti-Crisis Shield in December.
In particular, the following measures are included in the Counter-inflation Shield:
The following updates to this measure have been made after it came into effect.
| 01 January 2023 |
From 1 January 2023, most of the provisions of the inflation protection mechanism are no longer in force. VAT rates have been increased on
However, according to the decree of the Minister of Finance of 2 December 2022, the zero rate of VAT on basic food products will be maintained until 30 June 2023. At the same time, low-income households will be able to claim a refund of VAT paid on gas purchases in 2023. |
| 12 October 2022 |
All the measures within the Counter-inflation shield have been prolonged until the 31 December 2022. No decision on continuing the measures in 2023 has been taken yet. |
| 01 February 2022 |
As of 1 February, the zero rate of VAT on basic food products became effective. |
Not data to report now.
| Workers | Businesses | Citizens |
|---|---|---|
| Applies to all workers | Applies to all businesses | Applies to all citizens |
| Actors | Funding |
|---|---|
|
National government
|
National funds
|
Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:
| Trade unions | Employers' organisations | |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Unknown | Unknown |
| Form | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:
Unknown.
Unknown.
Citation
Eurofound (2022), Counter-inflation Shield, measure PL-2022-4/2120 (measures in Poland), EU PolicyWatch, Dublin, https://static.eurofound.europa.eu/covid19db/cases/PL-2022-4_2120.html
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Disclaimer: This information has not been subject to the full Eurofound evaluation, editorial and publication process.