Cartels, Banks, & Telecom Billing Practices Draw Over $290 Million in Fines From Poland’s Competition Authority

Key Takeaways

• Enforcement Activity: Poland’s competition authority issued 900 decisions in 2025, including 369 competition cases and 530 consumer protection decisions.
• Financial Penalties: Businesses were fined over $290 million (PLN 1.15 billion), including over $146 million (PLN 580 million) tied to anti-competitive conduct.
• Major Consumer Cases: Banks and telecom operators faced some of the largest penalties, including nearly $30 million (PLN 119 million) against Pekao entities and $28 million (PLN 110 million) against Play operator P4.
• Cartel Enforcement: Agricultural machinery suppliers and electronics retailers were penalized in collusion cases totaling tens of millions of dollars.
• Regulatory Priorities: Investigations expanded into greenwashing, influencer marketing targeting children, and potential labour market collusion.

Deep Dive

Poland’s competition and consumer protection authority had a busy year in 2025, issuing hundreds of decisions across sectors ranging from banking and telecommunications to e-commerce and agricultural machinery, and imposing more than $290 million (PLN 1.15 billion) in fines.

The activity reflects an increasingly assertive enforcement posture by Poland’s Office of Competition and Consumer Protection, known as UOKiK, which targeted a mix of consumer protection violations, alleged cartel conduct, and marketing practices that regulators say could mislead consumers.

Among the issues drawing scrutiny were billing practices by financial institutions and telecom operators, price coordination among agricultural machinery distributors, and marketing campaigns presenting products or delivery options as environmentally friendly.

“It was a year of decisive action—both against unfair market practices and collusion restricting competition,” said Tomasz Chróstny, President of UOKiK. “I imposed over PLN 1 billion in sanctions on businesses that violated the regulations. However, our actions are not limited to penalties; they also bring about real changes in business practices and fair compensation for customers.”

Financial Sector and Telecom Practices Draw Major Penalties

Several of the regulator’s most significant enforcement actions involved consumer protection cases in financial services and telecommunications.

Two banks, Pekao and Pekao Bank Hipoteczny, were fined nearly $30 million (PLN 119 million) over irregularities in how they handled mortgage payment holidays. According to UOKiK, the banks shortened the period during which borrowers could suspend repayments while extending repayment schedules.

In the telecommunications sector, P4, the operator of the Play mobile network, received a fine of nearly $28 million (PLN 110 million) over a billing practice tied to discounts offered for e-invoices and timely payments. When customers missed a payment, they lost the discount and their next bill increased. The regulator also ordered the company to refund amounts collected following the loss of the discount.

UOKiK also issued a binding decision against T-Mobile after finding that some customers using the “Order with T-Mobile” service received bills for subscription services they had not consented to. The operator must change its practices and provide refunds and compensation of about $125 (PLN 500) to affected customers.

Another binding decision involved PayPal, where UOKiK said certain changes to the company’s user agreement relied on an unfair modification clause and that customers were not properly informed about fee changes. The company must cease the practices and provide refunds and compensation to users.

Separately, Bank Pekao was found to have repeatedly exceeded deadlines for responding to customer complaints. Customers will receive compensation under the decision, with the bank setting aside nearly $25 million (almost PLN 100 million) for that purpose.

Cartel Enforcement Targets Agricultural Machinery Market

Competition enforcement also featured prominently during the year, particularly in markets tied to Poland’s agricultural sector.

In one decision, UOKiK fined Claas Polska and five machinery dealers more than $43 million (over PLN 170 million) after concluding the companies divided the market among themselves.

Another case resulted in nearly $86 million (almost PLN 340 million) in fines against CNH Industrial Polska, seven agricultural machinery distributors, and two managers over what the regulator described as a long-running scheme involving price coordination and market division.

UOKiK also dismantled a nearly decade-long arrangement involving Jura Poland and major electronics retailers including RTV Euro AGD, Media Markt, and Media Expert. According to the authority, the companies agreed on prices for Jura coffee machines, limiting opportunities for consumers to purchase the products at lower prices.

Businesses involved in the arrangement were fined more than $17 million (over PLN 66 million). A manager linked to the agreement was also fined about $63,000 (almost PLN 250,000).

Scrutiny Expands to Digital Markets and Green Claims

The regulator’s investigations also extended into digital commerce and marketing practices.

UOKiK brought charges against Live Nation, raising concerns about several clauses used in its standard contracts for events, including restrictions on bringing luggage and mandatory storage fees for backpacks and bags.

Environmental marketing claims also emerged as a new focus area. In 2025, the regulator issued its first allegations related to greenwashing, examining promotional claims by companies including Allegro, DHL, DPD, and InPost.

According to UOKiK, some campaigns may have encouraged consumers to select more expensive products or delivery options based on claims suggesting environmental benefits.

Authorities also launched preliminary investigations into online influencers popular with younger audiences, examining marketing practices targeting children.

Hundreds of Decisions and Consumer Compensation

In total, UOKiK issued 900 decisions in 2025, including 369 related to competition protection and 530 involving consumer protection matters.

Across those cases, the authority imposed more than $290 million (PLN 1.15 billion) in fines. Of that total, over $146 million (PLN 580 million) related to practices restricting competition, while about $138 million (PLN 545 million) concerned violations affecting consumers.

Companies also paid over $77 million (PLN 307 million) to the state budget during the year following the finalization of decisions issued in earlier proceedings.

Additional payments may follow as enforcement continues in the Gazprom case linked to financing of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. The company faces a $44 million (PLN 174 million) penalty for failing to provide information during the investigation.

Beyond fines, UOKiK said actions taken in 2025 resulted in at least $40 million (PLN 160 million) in benefits for consumers through refunds, compensation, and other measures.

UOKiK signaled that enforcement activity will remain strong in 2026, despite citing budget shortfalls and underinvestment.

“We will not slow down in 2026—despite serious budget shortfalls and underinvestment, we intend to exercise our powers very actively, with strong determination to better protect consumers and honest undertakings,” Chróstny said.

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