Hate-Motivated Crimes in Poland Up 41% Since 2024
Between January and July 2025, Polish police recorded 543 hate-motivated crimes, up 41 percent from the same period last year, according to the National Police Headquarters (KGP). That’s 159 more cases than in 2024, when 384 incidents were registered.
Although Polish law does not formally define “hate crimes,” investigators rely on the definition from the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, which treats them as criminal acts targeting individuals or property due to characteristics such as nationality, language, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The key factor is the offender’s prejudice-driven motivation, expressed before or during the act.
Police stressed that hate crimes represent a form of discrimination and a violation of fundamental human rights. While hate speech itself is not directly criminalized, it can fall under defamation (Art. 212) or insult (Art. 216) of the Penal Code.
Since 2015, Poland has monitored hate crimes via national and regional coordinators, who track investigations and provide data for analysis, training, and prevention. Authorities warn that rising cases reflect not only social tensions but also the need for stronger tools to counteract discrimination and protect vulnerable groups.
