The inspections are carried out by officials of Poczta Polska who hold the appropriate authorizations. They come to people’s homes and check whether they have a radio or television. If they see a receiver, they ask for the payment booklet. Postmen may also act as inspectors, although this is rare. It is important to note that we are not obliged to let anyone into our homes, except a prosecutor, bailiff or police officer with an appropriate warrant.
Penalties threatened
Failure to register a receiver and evasion of the licence fee carries a hefty financial penalty amounting to thirty times the monthly fee applicable on the day an unregistered radio or television receiver is discovered. For example, if the monthly fee is PLN 15.40, the penalty will be 30 × PLN 15.40, or PLN 462.00.
Improve collection
Post office employees do not want to disclose the results of the inspections, which suggests that they are not very effective. Meanwhile, lawmakers cannot decide whether to amend the provisions on the radio and television licence fee. SLD would like everyone to have to pay in advance unless they can prove that they do not have a receiver.
SLD also plans for inspectors to be appointed by the Ministry of Infrastructure. The bill is also expected to include a provision forcing cable television operators to place information on customers’ payment forms stating that paying for cable television does not exempt them from paying the radio and television licence fee.