All apartment owners to pay heating fee from 2027

9 March 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

Poland will introduce a mandatory heating fee from 2027, requiring apartment owners to pay a minimum charge even if they don’t use radiators.

The government announced a new rule that will affect millions of residents. From January 1, 2027, the state will introduce a mandatory heating fee that apartment owners must pay even if they switch off every radiator.

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Why the mandatory heating fee is being introduced

The measure aims to stop what authorities call “thermal free-riding.” Property managers report people keep radiators off while the building’s system still runs. Consequently, heating systems run inefficiently and other residents subsidize the cost. Moreover, buildings lose funds for maintenance and upgrades. Therefore the rule will set a minimum charge for each apartment. In addition, cooperatives and homeowners associations must install remote meters.

How the change will work in practice

Local housing cooperatives (spóldzielnie) and homeowners associations (wspólnoty) will replace old meters. Remote meters will report consumption to administrators. As a result, administrators can see individual and building-wide usage. However, owners will still get a base fee even with zero reported consumption. The government says the base fee will cover distribution and fixed network costs. Consequently, bills should better reflect reality and reduce cross-subsidies.

Who pays and who manages enforcement

The rule covers residents of multi-family blocks. Landlords, subletters, and owners all face the charge. Moreover, building managers will collect the fee through common payments. Municipalities and utility companies will monitor compliance. Therefore communities that resist replacement must face penalties. Additionally, remote meters can simplify billing and lower administrative costs.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: If you live in Poland as an expat, expect a new minimum heating charge from 2027 even if you keep radiators off. Cooperatives (spóldzielnie) and homeowners associations (wspólnoty) will install remote meters that report data to administrators. Consider checking your lease and your building’s statutes. Also note key Polish terms: ZUS is the social insurance institution, NFZ is the public health insurer, PESEL is your national ID number, and a mandat means a fine. If you receive bills in Polish, ask your administrator for an English breakdown. Finally, plan your budget for slightly higher fixed housing costs.

What this means for expats and renters

Expats should not assume low use equals no cost. Even if you travel or use little heat, you will pay a minimum. Therefore check whether your landlord passes the fee to tenants. Moreover, remote metering may improve transparency about who uses energy. However, some people worry about data privacy with remote reporting. Administrators must follow data protection laws, so ask for details on meter data use.

Overall, the change aims to make heating charges fairer and systems more efficient. Consequently, buildings should get more stable budgets for repairs and upgrades. If you own an apartment, prepare for the new fee and the meter swap. In addition, expect clearer billing and fewer disputes over “hidden” heating costs.

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