Can I drink alcohol in a public place?
No: drinking alcohol in public places is generally banned. Under the Act on Upbringing in Sobriety and Counteracting Alcoholism (art. 43(1)), drinking alcoholic beverages in public places — streets, parks, squares, bus stops — is prohibited. The ban covers not only drinking but also opening the container and preparing to drink. A beverage counts as alcoholic if its alcohol content is above 0.5%. The exception is designated places for the sale and serving of alcohol (e.g. outdoor restaurant areas). A municipal council may also, by resolution, introduce an exemption and designate specific public places where drinking is allowed, if it doesn't threaten public order. Breaching the ban risks a fine, usually about 100 zł.
📋 The rules
- Drinking alcohol in public places banned (art. 43(1))
- The ban also covers opening and preparing to drink
- Alcoholic beverage = product above 0.5% alcohol
- Exception: designated sale/serving places
- The municipal council may designate allowed places by resolution
🔓 Exceptions
- Outdoor restaurant areas and venues licensed to sell/serve alcohol
- Public places designated by municipal council resolution as exempt
- Private land (e.g. your own garden) — outside the ban's scope
⚠️ Penalties & fines
For drinking alcohol in a public place, the police or municipal guard impose a fine usually of 100 zł, and in court proceedings the fine can reach 500 zł. Not only drinking is punished but also opening the container or attempting to drink. An officer may also order the alcohol to be poured out. If you want to drink legally outside the home, use an outdoor restaurant area or another licensed place, or check whether the municipal council has designated places exempt from the ban. Note that the rules on driving after alcohol are separate and stricter.
📎 Official sources
- ISAP · Act on Upbringing in Sobriety and Counteracting Alcoholism →
- Police · Rules on drinking and selling alcohol →
- Municipality · Municipal council resolutions →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I drink alcohol on the street or in a park?
No. Drinking alcohol in public places such as streets, parks, squares and bus stops is generally banned under the Sobriety Act. The exceptions are places designated for the sale and serving of alcohol and places designated by a municipal council resolution.
What's the fine for drinking in public?
Usually about 100 zł, and if the case goes to court the fine can reach 500 zł. Not only drinking is punished but also merely opening the container or preparing the drink in a place covered by the ban.
Is non-alcoholic beer also banned?
No. The ban concerns alcoholic beverages, i.e. products with alcohol content above 0.5%. Beverages at 0.5% or below aren't treated as alcohol under the Act, so they aren't subject to this ban on drinking in public places.
Are there places where outdoor drinking is allowed?
Yes. You can drink in places designated for selling and serving alcohol, e.g. outdoor restaurant areas. Additionally, a municipal council may by resolution designate specific public places exempt from the ban, if it doesn't threaten public safety and order.
Can I drink alcohol in my own garden?
Yes. The ban concerns public places. Private land, such as your own garden or property, isn't a public place under the Act, so drinking alcohol there is allowed. Bear in mind, though, your neighbours' peace and public-order rules.
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