Buying wine in Poland is simple – as long as you know a few key legal rules and restrictions. This short guide is for international enotourists who want to enjoy Polish wine even outside of vineyards.
Who Can Buy Wine?
According to Polish law, wine can be purchased by anyone who is 18 years or older. Sellers are required (not just allowed!) to request ID if there’s any doubt about the buyer’s age. Wine cannot be sold to:
- underage persons,
- intoxicated individuals,
- or on credit or against collateral.
The main legal basis is the Act on Upbringing in Sobriety and Counteracting Alcoholism, dated October 26, 1982.
Where Can You Legally Buy Wine?
Wine can only be sold in places with an appropriate alcohol sales license, including:
- retail shops – supermarkets, convenience stores, gas stations,
- hospitality venues – restaurants, wine bars, pubs,
- specialist wine shops – the best source for Polish wines.
Keep in mind that Polish wine is produced in limited quantities, which makes it rare in mainstream supermarkets. If you’re looking for a bottle from a local vineyard, your best bet is to visit wine bars, specialty stores, or buy directly from the winery (check our directory of vineyards in Poland).
Local Time Restrictions on Alcohol Sales
Generally, alcohol can be sold 24/7 in Poland – as long as the venue has a valid license. However, since 2018, local governments have the right to introduce time-based restrictions. And many have done so.
Examples of full overnight bans:
- Konin – from Feb 1, 2025, ban from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
- Kraków – midnight to 5:30 a.m. (with a reported drop in police incidents).
- Bydgoszcz – night-time ban.
Partial bans:
- Wrocław – selected districts, 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
- Gdańsk – city center (Śródmieście), 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
- Zakopane – 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
- Sopot – 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Planned bans:
- Warsaw – a citywide ban from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. is under review.
- Szczecin – under public consultation.
As of December 2024, 176 municipalities in Poland have implemented such overnight bans, according to the National Center for Addiction Prevention.
Legal basis: amendment to the Sobriety Act, 2018.
What About Buying Online?
Many Polish websites offer wine for sale, but the legal status of online alcohol sales is unclear. Current law states that alcohol must be sold at a licensed, physical point of sale – which excludes standard shipping-based e-commerce.
Proposed legal changes could further tighten the rules by introducing a ban on online alcohol sales. There are also discussions about banning alcohol price promotions and limiting fuel station sales between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Follow our portal for updates – we track the legislative process closely.
Licensing System and Alcohol Classification
Every place that sells alcohol in Poland needs an official license, and regulations classify alcoholic beverages based on alcohol content. Wine usually falls in the 4.5% to 18% ABV range (excluding beer). Therefore, sellers must have a license specific to that category.
There’s also a distinction between:
- on-premise consumption (e.g. wine bars),
- off-premise consumption (e.g. grocery stores, specialty shops).
Where to Find Polish Wine?
Polish wine is becoming more available, though it’s still a niche product. You’ll mostly find it in:
- specialty wine shops and wine bars (mainly in larger cities),
- selected supermarkets and delis (e.g. Carrefour, Lidl – often as part of seasonal selections),
- restaurants with regional cuisine,
- directly at the vineyard.
