Local police in the spa town of Szczawnica reported an unusual immigration incident on 22 July 2026 after arresting a foreign tourist who offered officers a 20-złoty note to avoid a breath test. The man – whose nationality authorities did not disclose but confirmed was from outside the EU – had caused a disturbance in a guesthouse after midnight. The attempted bribe upgraded the charge from public-order offence to active corruption, triggering the Border Guard’s accelerated deportation pathway introduced last year for non-EU nationals convicted of intentional crimes. Within 48 hours of the court verdict the traveller will be escorted to the external border and issued a five-year Schengen-area entry ban. Though the cash sum was trivial, police spokespeople stressed that any inducement constitutes a serious offence under Article 229 of the Penal Code. For business travellers and mobility managers the case is a reminder that Poland applies zero tolerance to corruption – even minor gestures such as leaving a small "tip" during roadside checks can be construed as bribery. Violations not only lead to criminal records but, under 2025 immigration amendments, automatically invalidate visas and residence permits. Hoteliers in mountain resorts have been asked to brief guests on local laws, while tour operators with non-EU clientele are updating welcome letters. Employers sending staff to off-site team-building events in Poland should include anti-bribery guidance in pre-departure briefings.
Source: Onet (KrakowDlaWas)
