One-off authorisation for alcohol sales

Do you hold an authorisation for the sales of alcoholic beverages and you also want to sell alcohol at a fair or a picnic? You need a one-off authorisation for the sales of alcoholic beverages. Below you will find information on how to get it.

How to proceed

What you should know and who can use this service

If you already hold an authorisation for the sales of a specific type of alcoholic beverage, you may apply for a one-off authorisation for the sales of the same type of alcohol during an event or a picnic.

There are three types of authorisations, depending on alcohol strength:

• for a strength of up to 4.5% and beer;
• for a strength ranging from over 4.5% to 18% (except for beer);
• for a strength of over 18%.

The Voluntary Fire Services also need to obtain a one-off authorisation.

When you should complete this procedure

At any time

Where you can complete this procedure

You can complete this procedure at:

• city/town or commune (gmina) offices
• cities with poviat status

What to do step by step

1. Apply for the one-off authorisation for the sales of alcoholic beverages

The application must be submitted to the competent mayor of the municipality (town, city).

If you wish to be represented by an attorney-in-fact, remember to enclose the power of attorney and proof of payment of stamp duty for power of attorney (PLN 17). The stamp duty need not be paid if the power of attorney is granted to the spouse, children, parents, grandparents, grandchildren or siblings. The stamp duty for the power of attorney must be paid to the bank account of the town/city/gmina office where you submit the application for the authorisation.

Practical information on the power of attorney can be found here.

Documents

2. The authority will examine your application

If the authority finds that the application is incomplete, you will be requested to supplement the documents. You will have 7 days from the date of receipt of the request to supplement the documents. If you do not submit the missing documents within the specified time limit, you will receive a notification that the application will not be processed or a decision that the application will be returned.

3. You will receive a one-off authorisation for the sales of alcoholic beverages

If your application is correct and you have paid the fee, the authority will grant you the authorisation. The authorisation is valid for up to 2 days.

If your application does not contain formal errors but contains substantive ones, the authority will refuse to grant the authorisation.

Documents

How much you will have to pay

The fee depends on the type of alcohol and is:

• PLN 43.75 for the sales of alcoholic beverages with a strength of up to 4.5% and beer;
• PLN 43.75 for the sales of alcoholic beverages with a strength ranging from over 4.5% to 18% (except for beer);
• PLN 175 for the sales of alcoholic beverages with a strength over 18%.

Pay the fee to the municipality’s bank account before the authorisation is issued.

PLN 17 – stamp duty for power of attorney (optional)

How long you will have to wait

Your case will be settled within one month. This period may be extended to two months, subject to notification by the official.

Good to know

The opinion of the municipal board for preventing alcohol-related problems not needed

In the case of a one-off authorisation for alcohol sales you do not need the opinion of the municipal board for preventing alcohol-related problems that the location of the sales complies with resolutions of the municipal council (which must be obtained for authorisations for alcohol sales in shops).

The authority will revoke your authorisation for retail alcohol sales if:

• you sell alcohol to minors, drunk people, on credit or against a pledge;
• you sell alcohol from illegal sources;
• you provide false details in the declaration of the annual sales value for alcoholic beverages (for example if you under-, or overstate the value of the alcohol sold);
• you commit an offence for the purpose of financial gain;
• you are prohibited from carrying out the economic activities covered by the authorisation.

If your authorisation has been revoked, you can apply for a new authorisation not earlier than after 3 years from the date of the decision revoking your authorisation.

The sales of alcoholic beverages after the authorisation has been revoked or expired is the same offence as selling without any authorisation (a fine may be imposed).