The fresh taxation on rain strikes Poles. Thousands of people will pay up to PLN 1500 a year!

The year 2025 brings revolution in property charges, and the first is simply a controversial "rain tax". Although it is officially called a fee for reducing natural land retention, for thousands of homeowners, plots and building managers it means 1 – a new, compulsory expense. The changes to the rules that come into force dramatically extend the group of persons covered by this tax. So far, it has mainly been about large enterprises, but it will now besides hit average citizens. The scale of the problem is huge, and many Poles inactive do not realize that they can shortly receive a call for payment. In this article we explain precisely what this fee is, who has to pay it in 2025, how to calculate its amount and most importantly – how you can legally reduce it or even avoid it completely. This is simply a key cognition that will let you to prepare for the upcoming changes and defend your home budget.

What is simply a "rain tax" and why is it so controversial?

Contrary to the common name, "rain tax" is not a charge for the fact of precipitation itself. It is simply a tribute imposed on property owners who have importantly reduced the natural capacity of their land to absorb water. simply put, the more concrete, paving, asphalt or buildings are on your plot, the more likely you will gotta pay. The intent of this fee, supervised by the Polish Water Farm, is to fight the effects of climate change – fast urban floods and always longer periods of drought.

When the rainwater flows from the sealed surfaces to the sewers, it loads storm systems and contributes to local submerge. At the same time, it does not supply groundwater, which exacerbates the drought problem. The fee so has 2 objectives: to supply backing for projects related to water retention (e.g. construction of reservoirs) and to motivate property owners to invest in environmentally friendly solutions specified as rain gardens and permeable surfaces.

Who precisely is the fresh fee in 2025? The list extends

This is simply a key change that makes thousands of Poles curious in the subject. To date, the fee has been applied to property owners with an area of over 3,500 m2, which in practice included mainly companies, buying centres or large cooperatives. The rules for 2025 drastically lower this threshold. Now the fee will be charged to property owners of the area already more than 600 m2on which the building occupies at least 50% of the area.

Who is in the fresh hazard group?

• Homeowners: The owners of plots with an area of e.g. 700 m2 on which the house, driveway, terrace and pavements from the cobblestone cover a full of over 350 m2 will gotta pay a fee.
• Community and housing cooperatives: Even if individual apartments are small, the fee will be charged from the full common property if parking lots, interior roads and sidewalks exceed the threshold of 50% seal. The cost will most likely be passed on to the residents in rent.
• Entrepreneurs and owners of service facilities: All holders of smaller warehouses, workshops or office buildings with hardened manoeuvring spaces, who have avoided fees so far, will now be covered.

The work to notify the ownership of specified property and to make a declaration shall lie with the owner. However, municipal offices and Polish Waters will carry out inspections, and advanced penalties for concealing information.

What's the rain tax? See how to calculate the rate

The amount of the fee depends on 2 factors: the sealed surface and whether there are water retention devices on the plot. Maximum rates in 2025 may be valued, but the base forks look as follows:

• PLN 1,50 for 1 m2 per year – for real property without any water retention installations.
• PLN 0,90 for 1 m2 per year – for properties equipped with retention equipment with a capacity of up to 10% of the yearly outflow (e.g. tiny rainwater tanks).
• 0.45 PLN for 1 m2 per year – for properties with equipment for retention from 10% to 30% of the yearly outflow (e.g. larger systems, rain gardens).

Example: The owner of the home on the 800 m2 plot, of which 500 m2 is sealed with an ankle and a building (62.5% > 50%). Without any retention systems it will pay: 500 m2 * 1,50 zł = PLN 750 per year. However, if he invests in a rainwater collection strategy of adequate capacity, his fee may fall to PLN 225 per year.

How to legally reduce or avoid tax? applicable solutions

The most crucial information is that "rain tax" can be avoided or importantly reduced. The key is to increase natural retention on your plot. These are the most effective methods:

• Small retention: Construction of ponds, rain garden (a specially prepared site with vegetation that collects rainwater) or installation of underground rainwater tanks. Collected water can be utilized to water the garden, which generates additional savings.
• Permeable: alternatively of solid concrete or tight paving, it is worth investing in openwork surfaces, lawn grates (geocrats) or a peculiar permeable ankle. They let water to dip straight into the ground.
• Green roofs: This is simply a more advanced but highly effective solution. The roof covered with vegetation perfectly absorbs rainwater, relieving the drainage and improving the microclimate.
• Sealing of existing surfaces: Sometimes it is adequate to remove part of the cobblestone and replace it with a lawn belt or gravel to descend below the 50% seal threshold and completely avoid the charge.

Summary: Rain taxation is simply a necessity or another tribute?

The amendment of the rules concerning the charge for reduced retention is undoubtedly a severe change for the budgets of thousands of Poles. Although it is easy to see it as another effort to scope into citizens' pockets, it is worth looking at it in a broader context. The progressive “betonosis” of Polish cities and suburbs has real, negative consequences, which we all gotta face. The tax, although painful, is 1 of the tools to reverse this trend. For property owners, this is simply a clear signal that the investment in ecological land improvement ceases to be a fanaber and becomes an economical necessity. It is worth examining your game present and taking steps that will not only save on the fresh fee, but will besides aid to improve the local environment.