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Statute of Limitations Calculator Poland 2026 — when does a claim expire?

The statute of limitations (przedawnienie) means that after the statutory period has elapsed, the debtor may raise a limitation defence and refuse payment (Art. 117 Civil Code). Since the 2018 amendment, the general period is 6 years; for claims related to business activity and periodic obligations it is 3 years (Art. 118 CC). Since 2018, courts examine limitation ex officio in consumer cases (Art. 117¹ CC). This calculator computes the expiry date of a claim based on the event date (when the claim became due) and the claim type. It also shows the number of days remaining or confirms that the claim has already expired. The tool is for creditors and debtors who want to check the current status of a claim before taking legal action. Important: the calculator uses a simple formula — event date + statutory period. It does not account for suspension or interruption of the limitation period, or sector-specific rules. Consult a lawyer before making decisions.

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How the statute of limitations calculator works

The calculator adds the statutory period (in years) to the claim due date: 1. Main periods: • General — 6 years (Art. 118 CC, since 2018) • Business activity, employment claims, maintenance, wages, tort (from knowledge), road accident, bank loan — 3 years • Tort — maximum from event — 10 years (Art. 442¹ CC) • Warranty, supplier invoices, subscriptions — 2 years 2. Calculation: expiry_date = event_date + period_years 3. Days remaining = expiry_date − today (negative → already expired) The calculator does not account for suspension (e.g. minority, force majeure) or interruption (e.g. debt acknowledgement, filing a claim).

Example: general debt from 2021-01-01

General claim (Art. 118 CC, 6 years), due date: 2021-01-01. Expiry date: 2027-01-01. At the reference date of 2026-06-10, approximately 570 days remain — the claim is still valid. If the event date were 2020-01-01 (+ 6 years = 2026-01-01), the claim would already be expired by approximately 160 days.

Frequently asked questions

What is the statute of limitations in Poland?

The statute of limitations (przedawnienie) is a civil law institution under which, after the statutory period has elapsed, the debtor may raise a limitation defence and refuse payment. The creditor does not lose the right but cannot enforce it if the debtor invokes the defence (Art. 117 Civil Code).

What is the general limitation period in Poland?

Since 9 July 2018 the general period is 6 years (previously 10 years) — Art. 118 CC. Exception: claims related to business activity and periodic obligations (e.g. rent) — 3 years.

When does the limitation period start running?

The period runs from the date the claim becomes due — when the creditor could demand performance (Art. 120 CC). For tort claims — from the date the injured party learned of the damage and the liable person.

The period is suspended, among other cases: for claims against minors (until 2 years after reaching majority), during mediation proceedings, and in cases of force majeure. Suspension means the period stops running but does not reset.

Interruption occurs when: a claim is filed in court, the debtor acknowledges the debt (even partially), or enforcement proceedings are initiated. After interruption, the full statutory period starts running again from zero (Art. 124 CC).

Since 2018, courts examine the limitation period ex officio in consumer cases (Art. 117¹ CC). A bank's claim for an expired debt should be dismissed. However, the debt still legally exists — the debtor must raise the limitation defence or the court must examine it on its own motion.

Overdue maintenance instalments expire after 3 years from the due date of each instalment (Art. 137 §1 Family and Guardianship Code). Each instalment expires separately. The future maintenance obligation does not expire as long as the obligation subsists.

Employment claims (unpaid wages, overtime, holiday pay) expire after 3 years from the due date (Art. 291 Labour Code). Wages become due on the payment date specified in the contract or workplace regulations.

The due date is the moment from which the creditor may demand performance. For fixed-term obligations — on expiry of the payment term. For non-term obligations — after the debtor is called upon to pay (Art. 455 CC). The limitation period runs from the due date.

Enter the event date (when the claim became due) and select the claim type. The calculator will compute the expiry date, the number of days remaining, and confirm whether the claim has already expired. The result is indicative — consult a lawyer.

For informational purposes only. Does not constitute legal advice. The calculator does not account for suspension or interruption of the limitation period. Consult a lawyer before taking action.