I have debts I cannot pay — where do I get free help?

Direct answer

Free, confidential help exists in every country and works better the earlier you go. Powiatowy rzecznik konsumentów / upadłość konsumencka (sąd) (uokik.gov.pl) is the debt-advice service for Poland: they look at everything you owe, stop the panic, negotiate with creditors and, if needed, start the legal debt-relief route. Your Ośrodek Pomocy Społecznej (OPS) / PCPR — orzeczenia o niepełnosprawności (gov.pl) can refer you and may cover emergency costs. Nieodpłatna pomoc prawna (punkty w powiatach) (np.ms.gov.pl) is for the legal side — a bailiff at the door, a garnishment, a court letter. Do not take a "consolidation loan" from an advert; that is how debts grow.

Call firstPowiatowy rzecznik konsumentów / upadłość konsumencka (sąd)

Report toOśrodek Pomocy Społecznej (OPS) / PCPR — orzeczenia o niepełnosprawności

If that failsNieodpłatna pomoc prawna (punkty w powiatach)

🗣️ What to say

"I have debts of about [total] to [number] creditors and I can no longer keep up. I would like a first appointment to go through my income, my debts and my options — including a payment plan or debt relief."

🪜 Step by step

Make the listEvery creditor, amount, and what is already in collection. Bring the letters, even unopened.
Book with Powiatowy rzecznik konsumentów / upadłość konsumencka (sąd)Free, non-judgmental. They can write to creditors on your behalf and freeze interest in many cases.
Protect the essentialsRent, energy and food first. Contact those creditors before anyone else; they have hardship procedures.
Payment plan or reliefA plan you can keep beats a plan that looks good. If the debts are hopeless, the legal debt-relief scheme wipes them after a set period.
Court letters: Nieodpłatna pomoc prawna (punkty w powiatach)A court letter has a deadline. Never ignore it — respond or bring it straight to your adviser.

📇 All contacts

Powiatowy rzecznik konsumentów / upadłość konsumencka (sąd)Free help, consumer bankruptcyWhen debts become unmanageable🔗 uokik.gov.pl/rzecznicy

Ośrodek Pomocy Społecznej (OPS) / PCPR — orzeczenia o niepełnosprawnościSocial assistance, care services, disabilityFor care and support🔗 www.gov.pl/web/rodzina/pomoc-spoleczna

Nieodpłatna pomoc prawna (punkty w powiatach)Free legal advice for anyone who cannot payWhen you cannot afford a lawyer🔗 np.ms.gov.pl

Urząd gminy / miasta — straż miejskaNuisances, roads, waste, registration, lost propertyFor anything the municipality handles📞 986 🔗 www.gov.pl/web/gov/uslugi-dla-obywatela

❓ Frequently asked

Will my employer or family find out?

Not from the adviser. A garnishment of wages does reach the employer, which is one reason to act before it gets there.

Can I keep my home?

Usually, if you keep paying rent or the mortgage. Say so to the adviser first thing — housing is protected in every plan.

Is the legal debt relief really free of debts at the end?

Yes, apart from a few exceptions such as fines and maintenance. It takes discipline for a few years and a clean start after.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

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“free debt advice Poland”
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💸 I have debts I cannot pay — where do I get free help?