A record wave of consumer bankruptcies in 2026
2026 may go down in history as the year with the highest number of consumer bankruptcies in Poland. According to the latest data from the Central Economic Information Centre (COIG), more than 16,000 individuals declared bankruptcy in just the first eight months of this year. The August figure of 1,825 new bankruptcies represents an increase of 6.3% compared with the same period last year.
The scale of the phenomenon is worth noting. From March to July 2026, the monthly number of declared bankruptcies consistently exceeded the threshold of 2,000. In the entire history of consumer bankruptcy in Poland to date, only four months - two in 2023 and two in 2025 - have seen a similar intensity. We are therefore dealing with a clear acceleration of the trend.
The August result, although slightly lower, fits the typical seasonal pattern - the number of declarations traditionally falls during the summer holiday months. However, if the current pace continues until the end of the year, we can expect more than 24,000 declared bankruptcies in 2026. That would be an absolute record, ending a three-year period of stability in which annual figures hovered just above 21,000 cases.
What is driving the rise in consumer bankruptcies?
There are several reasons for the record wave of bankruptcies, and they reinforce one another. First, the effects of the inflation crisis of 2022-2023 are still weighing on household budgets. Many people who took on excessive debt at that time are only now deciding to take a formal step towards debt relief.
Second, growing public awareness means that consumer bankruptcy is ceasing to be a taboo subject. More and more debtors realise that it is a legal tool offering a fresh financial start, rather than an "admission of failure". The media, support organisations and law firms actively inform people about this option.
Third, the bankruptcy procedure became far more accessible after the liberalisation of the rules in 2020. The requirement to show that the debt did not arise through the debtor's fault disappeared - today the court examines this issue only at the stage of setting the creditor repayment plan. This opened the way to debt relief for people who previously had no chance of obtaining it.
New insolvency rules - what will the amendment in the Sejm change?
An additional impulse for the consumer bankruptcy market may come from the amendment to the Bankruptcy Law and the Act on the National Debtors Register, the draft of which was submitted to the Sejm on 4 September 2026. On 15 September the document was referred for its first reading to the Committee on Justice and Human Rights. Unlike the revolutionary changes of 2020, this time the legislator is focusing on streamlining and speeding up the existing procedure.
The most important changes envisaged in the draft
- Creditor supervision instead of the court - creditors, who have an interest in recovering their receivables, will monitor the implementation of the repayment plan. This will significantly relieve the bankruptcy courts.
- Reduced ongoing court supervision - the court will not review the debtor's annual reports of its own motion. It will deal with them only at the request of a participant in the proceedings, e.g. a creditor.
- Automatic discharge of obligations - once the repayment plan has been completed, the remaining debts will be discharged automatically, without an additional court decision. Creditors will, however, have three months to submit any objections.
- Clear discharge date - the date on which obligations are discharged will be set in the decision establishing the repayment plan and published in the National Debtors Register (KRZ).
- Removal of data from the register - the debtor's data will be deleted from the KRZ three years after the announcement of the discharge, making it easier to return to normal economic activity.
These changes have real potential to encourage more people to use the bankruptcy procedure. The prospect of a faster and more predictable debt relief process is a strong argument for those who have so far hesitated to file an application.
How the consumer bankruptcy procedure works - step by step
Although the amendment will simplify some of the formalities, it is worth knowing the current course of proceedings. Filing an application for the declaration of consumer bankruptcy is only the beginning of a process made up of several stages.
At the outset, the debtor - on their own or with the help of a professional representative - prepares an application containing a detailed list of assets, liabilities and creditors. The court examines whether the conditions for declaring bankruptcy are met. A trustee in bankruptcy is then appointed, who liquidates the debtor's assets (if the debtor has any assets that can be sold).
The next step is setting the creditor repayment plan. The court determines the amount the bankrupt must pay each month towards settling arrears - usually for a period of one to three years. In the most difficult cases, where the debtor has no ability to repay, the court may discharge obligations without setting a repayment plan.
It is worth emphasising that professional assistance with consumer bankruptcy significantly increases the chances of getting through the procedure smoothly - from a free debt analysis, through preparing the documentation, to representation before the court and the trustee until the obligations are discharged. Importantly, the declaration of bankruptcy itself generally halts ongoing bailiff enforcement proceedings.
Who can make a real fresh start through consumer bankruptcy?
Consumer bankruptcy is not a solution for everyone, but in many situations it is the only realistic way out of a debt spiral. The procedure is open to individuals not running a business who have become insolvent - that is, who are unable to pay their debts as they fall due.
The typical profile of a person using consumer bankruptcy is someone burdened with several loans, borrowings or guarantee obligations, often after losing a job, going through a divorce or suffering serious health problems. The rising number of bankruptcies shows, however, that this option is increasingly used also by people whose debt results from ill-considered financial decisions.
Whatever the causes of insolvency, an individual analysis of the debtor's situation is key. Each case differs in terms of debt structure, assets held and ability to carry out a repayment plan. That is why it is so important to consult a specialist before filing an application with the court.
Free consultation - the first step towards debt relief
If you are struggling with mounting debts and bailiff enforcement, or feel that you are losing control of your finances, do not wait for the situation to worsen. The specialists at Global Accounting offer a free debt analysis, during which they will assess your situation and set out the possible debt relief scenarios - including consumer bankruptcy with full support at every stage of the procedure: from preparing the application, through representation before the court and the trustee, to the discharge of obligations.
If you live in the UK and have debts in Poland, you can also contact Kancelaria Semper Paratus, which serves Poles in the UK in Polish and works with the group on insolvency procedures.
Call to book a free consultation: +48 505 684 412 or write to [email protected]. The first 15 minutes of the conversation are free - enough to assess your options and plan the next steps.
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