Recently, messages have been actively spreading online about supposed mass deportations of Ukrainians from Poland for traffic violations. However, Polish authorities do not deport foreigners for regular fines or occasional speeding. The real reasons for deportation are much more serious. This is reported by Visit Ukraine with references to Polish legislation and high-profile cases from recent months.
Ukrainians are not deported from Poland for regular fines
Lawyers explain that standard traffic violations in Poland only entail administrative responsibility.
These include:
-
Speeding
-
Improper parking
-
Running a red light
-
Fines from speed cameras
In such cases, the driver receives a regular fine, just like Polish citizens.
The only grounds for deportation can be systematic violations of the law or actions that Polish authorities deem as threats to public order or safety.
The scandal in Auschwitz sparked a wave of rumors
The reason for the panic on social media was a high-profile case involving a Ukrainian blogger in Auschwitz.
The man drove a car into a protected natural area and published photos and videos of the violation on social media himself.
Polish authorities considered this as demonstrative disrespect for the laws of the country. After the intervention of the Polish Ministry of Internal Affairs, the foreigner was deported and banned from entering Schengen Area countries for five years.
It was after this incident that rumors about "deportations for traffic violations" began to circulate online.
If you are interested in working in Poland, we suggest checking out 350,000 job vacancies on the Layboard portal.
Poland has intensified its response to systematic violations of the law
Polish law enforcement agencies emphasize that they now respond much more harshly to systematic violations among foreigners.
This particularly concerns:
-
Driving under the influence of alcohol
-
Traffic accidents with serious consequences
-
Ignoring court rulings
-
Regular non-payment of fines
-
Demonstrative violations for content on social media
At the same time, ordinary drivers who accidentally violated the rules and paid the fine are not at risk of deportation.
Experts advise Ukrainians in Poland to pay close attention to local legislation, as recently the country has indeed been responding faster to serious violations among foreigners.
It is worth noting that foreigners are increasingly buying property in Poland, and Ukrainians have held the largest share among buyers for several years in a row.