Foreign taxi drivers in Poland will soon be required to provide a criminal record certificate.

Poland tightens rules for ride-hailing and taxi work

According to Novyny.live: Poland’s Ministry of Infrastructure has drafted new legislation that imposes stricter conditions on taxi operators, especially foreign nationals—including Ukrainians. The key change is a mandatory requirement to submit a certificate of no criminal record. These measures aim to strengthen oversight of drivers, particularly those arriving from countries outside the European Union.

What foreign drivers must now meet

Under the proposed rules, foreigners seeking to work as taxi drivers will need to obtain a criminal background check from their country of origin. These documents must be submitted together with an official Polish translation. It is worth noting that some Polish cities—such as Warsaw, Krakow, and Poznan—already enforce this requirement at the local level.

Additionally, the government plans to introduce a single national taxi driver ID card, which should make driver identification easier. Industry associations are also pushing for a centralized database to verify vehicles, licenses, and driver medical examinations. These steps are intended to bring greater transparency and control to the country’s taxi sector.

Foreigners who want to work in this field will also have to pass a Polish language exam. This change is designed to improve communication between drivers and passengers and to ensure a higher standard of service. Furthermore, the amount of capital required to start operating as a taxi driver in 2026 will vary, reflecting shifting economic conditions in the industry.

The legislative amendments still need to be approved at the national level. However, it is already clear that the new requirements could significantly reshape Poland’s taxi market, particularly for foreign drivers. Improving working conditions and raising safety standards are seen as important steps in the sector’s development.

These legal changes could mark a pivotal moment in regulating Poland’s taxi market, especially amid growing demand for transportation services.

Introducing requirements such as a clean criminal record and Polish language proficiency may boost service quality and passenger safety. At the same time, these rules could create additional hurdles for foreigners hoping to enter the industry—a factor that should be considered as the market continues to evolve.