Huge fines in Poland: You must give a reason

20 April 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

From Aug 2, 2026 the EU AI Act forces firms to disclose automated decisions. Natural keyword in English appears in notices and firms face heavy fines.

Lead: From 2 August 2026 companies in Poland must tell you when an algorithm decides your fate. Natural keyword in English appears in official notices, and failure to comply risks huge fines.

Table of Contents

Why this change matters now

European lawmakers passed the AI Act to regulate artificial intelligence. Consequently, the law targets systems that affect jobs and credit. Moreover, banks and HR departments use algorithms to screen CVs and score loans. However, until now firms rarely had to disclose that automation made the decision. In addition, many candidates and loan applicants never knew why an algorithm rejected them.

Natural keyword in English: what companies must do

The AI Act marks systems as high-risk when they affect employment or credit. Therefore, companies must inform applicants when AI participates in decisions. Furthermore, employers must provide human oversight. Thus, an algorithm can recommend, but a qualified person must confirm the final decision. In addition, firms must keep technical documentation and logs that auditors can examine. Consequently, EU members will publish a registry of high-risk AI tools. Moreover, regulators can impose fines up to 35 million euros for banned practices. Therefore, the stakes are high for any employer or bank using AI.

How this plays out in Polish context

Polish banks already use automated scoring in seconds. Consequently, loan refusals can seem to arrive from nowhere. Moreover, HR teams increasingly rely on Applicant Tracking Systems. However, many candidates do not realise an AI system screens their CV. In addition, Poland will create KRiBSI, a regulator to inspect AI systems. Thus, the regulator will review algorithms used by banks and large employers. Therefore, expats can use new legal channels to challenge automated decisions.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: If an employer or bank rejects you, ask if a machine made the decision. You can invoke Article 22 of GDPR now to request a human review. Also, note Polish institutions that may appear in forms: ZUS (social security), NFZ (national health insurance), and PESEL (national ID number). Therefore, keep records and save emails. Finally, file a complaint with UODO (the data protection office) if the company ignores you.

What can you do immediately? First, when an employer sends a terse rejection, ask in writing if automation played a role. Secondly, tailor your CV to Applicant Tracking Systems by matching keywords and using plain text formatting. Moreover, when a bank refuses credit, demand an explanation of factors used in scoring. Therefore, follow the 30-day response window provided by GDPR. In addition, keep copies of all correspondence and transaction histories.

What about enforcement timing? The AI Act applies from August 2026, but the EU may delay some technical rules. Consequently, parts of enforcement might shift into late 2027. However, the core transparency obligations should apply in August. Therefore, companies cannot safely ignore the law while they wait. In addition, national law in Poland may create KRiBSI as an enforcement body. Thus, you will have both European and Polish channels to complain.

Source: Read original article

📚 Looking for more help settling in Poland? Browse our complete Expat Guides.