How to Set Up an EV Charging Station in Poland: A Step-by-Step Legal Guide

Last updated: 21.08.2026

Electric vehicle charging stations in Poland are subject to both the directly applicable AFIR Regulation and national rules on electromobility, energy, construction and technical supervision.

For charging network operators, investors, developers, property owners and businesses planning or operating charging points, the applicable requirements affect the investment process, technical approvals, payment arrangements and the adaptation of existing infrastructure.

Legal Framework of Charging Infrastructure in Poland – AFIR and National Law

The charging infrastructure for electric vehicles in Poland is regulated by two parallel legal systems: directly applicable EU law (AFIR) and national law (the Act on Electromobility).

The AFIR Regulation (EU 2023/1804) has been directly applicable since April 13, 2024. As a regulation, rather than a directive, it does not require implementation into national law and applies without the intervention of the national legislator.

It introduces binding requirements regarding:

• the minimum number and capacity of public charging points along the TEN-T network,
• technical requirements for new electric vehicle charging stations,
• transitional rules for stations already in operation.

These requirements support the development and growth of public charging infrastructure in Poland and across Europe.

The Act on Electromobility and Alternative Fuels (of January 11, 2018, repeatedly amended) regulates national aspects of charging infrastructure: clean transport zones, obligations of public and private entities in providing infrastructure, and the principles of registering charging stations. The Act is successively adapted to AFIR requirements.

Obligation to install charging stations in corporate parking lots: from January 1, 2025, large enterprises (250+ employees or a turnover of 50+ million EUR or a balance sheet total of 43+ million EUR) that own non-residential buildings with a parking lot of more than 20 spaces must install at least one EV charging point and provide cabling for subsequent chargers.

Operator Obligations for Public Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

The AFIR Regulation applies directly from April 13, 2024, and imposes strict technical and commercial requirements on publicly accessible charging points:

• Ad-hoc payments: Every publicly accessible station must guarantee the possibility of a one-time charge of a vehicle without the need for prior registration, having a dedicated mobile application, or concluding a permanent contract with the operator. At DC fast charging stations with a capacity of 50 kW or more, the mandatory standard is the installation of physical payment terminals or contactless card readers. Transitional provisions require existing DC stations on TEN-T routes to be retrofitted with payment terminals by January 1, 2027.
• Price transparency: A categorical prohibition on hiding the component costs of a session applies. Prices for the charging service must be presented to the user before the start of the energy draw in a clear and understandable manner, exclusively in terms of kilowatts-hours (PLN/kWh).
• Roaming and data openness: Operators (CPOs) must ensure full interoperability with third-party mobility service providers (eMSPs) through open communication protocols and provide data on the exact location, power, and real-time availability of points in open formats.

When analyzing EV charge point regulations Poland, one must remember the obligation that from January 1, 2025, covered large enterprises owning non-residential buildings with parking lots for more than 20 cars. They are statutorily forced to install at least one EV charging point and prepare the cable infrastructure for subsequent stations.

How to Open an Electric Vehicle Charging Station in Poland

Launching a station of a publicly accessible nature requires passing through a formalized administrative and technical path, which represents a complete guide on EV charging station regulations Poland:

Stage 1 – Location analysis

Verification of the investment’s compliance with the local spatial development plan (MPZP) or obtaining a decision on land development conditions. For stations on public roads, the consent of the road manager is necessary.

Stage 2 – Grid connection conditions

Submitting an application to the competent Distribution System Operator (DSO) – waiting times for a decision can range from 30 days to several months. The construction of an energy connection takes from several months to 3 years and represents the main brake on infrastructure development.

Stage 3 – Construction path

Stations with a capacity of up to 40 kW installed on existing paved areas can be implemented based on a notification of construction works (if they do not require foundations), while larger or freestanding structures require obtaining a full building permit.

Stage 4 – Technical acceptance by UDT

After the completion of assembly works, the device cannot be launched without conducting a physical inspection by inspectors of the Office of Technical Inspection (UDT). Technical acceptance by UDT includes rigorous electrical safety tests, anti-shock tests, and verification of voltage cut-off systems.

Stage 5 – Registration in databases

Entry of the station into the records system of alternative fuels infrastructure (EIPA) maintained by the Ministry of Climate.

If the investor plans to collect fees for charging based on meter readings, the President of URE qualifies such activity as trade in electricity. Exceeding the low exemption threshold (annual revenue equivalent to more than 10,000 euros) obliges the operator to go through the procedure of obtaining a formal OEE concession under pain of an administrative fine of up to 15% of the enterprise’s revenue.

Understanding these realities explains why entities entering the market must precisely know how to open a charging station in accordance with Polish energy regimes.

How Existing EV Charging Stations Must Comply with AFIR

AFIR applies not only to new stations – part of the requirements also covers stations already in operation:

• by December 31, 2026 – ensure the possibility of ad-hoc charging (without registration),
• by January 1, 2027 – DC stations with a capacity of 50 kW+ on TEN-T routes or protected parking lots must have a terminal for card payments,
• on an ongoing basis – publish data on availability and prices in the formats required by AFIR.

An operator who does not adapt a station to these requirements exposes themselves to administrative sanctions – in Poland under the provisions of the Act on Electromobility in conjunction with the AFIR Regulation.

Many network operators active on the market for several years have not yet taken adaptive measures. An audit of compliance with AFIR should be a priority – especially for operators of stations along highways and expressways.

Bidirectional Electric Vehicle Charging – V2G and V2H in Poland

In the area of technical innovation, the amendment to the Act on Electromobility defined the concept of a “bidirectional charging point”, opening the way for:

• V2G – Vehicle-to-Grid,
• V2H – Vehicle-to-Home.

These technologies enable bidirectional energy flows between the vehicle battery, the electricity grid and home charging systems.

Nevertheless, due to the lack of executing regulations governing dynamic tariffs for purchasing energy from vehicles and standard DSO contracts, full implementation of these technologies is expected in the years 2027–2028, following the implementation of the EU Grids Package from December 2025. When intending to invest in infrastructure, it must be remembered that the law and technical procedures treat charging stations as an area of special state supervision.

Legal Support for EV Charging Infrastructure Projects

Planning to develop, operate or adapt electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Poland may involve regulatory, technical and contractual requirements.

Contact us to discuss the legal aspects of your EV charging project and the obligations that may apply to your business.

FAQ – EV charging stations in Poland