The screening on the beach can cost you up to PLN 5,000. A thoughtless setting is enough

Although the setting of screens is not prohibited in itself, ignorance of the regulations may cost a dearly – up to PLN 5,000. And it’s not about wells, smoking or loud music. It is enough to set up a colorful canvas.

The screens have become a symbol of Polish rest by the sea for years. They protect against wind, give a shadow and provide a bit of privacy on crowded beaches. In practice, however, their abuse can lead to tensions between sunbathers – and conflict with the law.

As lawyer Marcin Kruszewski explains, also known as the author of the “Law of Marcin” channel, the legal situation regarding screens is not black and white.

– The screens are and will be, but we must maintain not only cultural considerations, but also remember the law. The screens are not prohibited, unless the administrator of a given area in some local regulations assumed that they cannot be applied – explains the expert.

This means that theoretically everyone has the right to distribute their screen, but in practice a lot depends on the local regulations in force on a given section of the beach.

Regulations that can cost

Although the official screens of screening on any of the Polish beaches have not entered into force so far, as Marcin Kruszewski points out – there were already such attempts.

– I have never met a beach that would prohibit this, but there were such attempts, I will not indicate the city. On the Polish coast, the revolt of tourists was very large – says the lawyer.

The problem arises in a situation where a tourist places too much “camp” on the beach. A dozen or so screens occupying several dozen square meters of spaces can not only cause irritation of other relaxants, but also be treated as an offense. In this situation, the city guard or police may intervene.

– Another issue is too intense screening, a screen offensive occupying 30-40 square meters of beach, this may be a situation in which we will commit an offense disruption of order with another pranks, i.e., for example, hindering the use of the beach – warns Kruszewski.

Violation of order? You are in danger of a high fine

The law here is unambiguous – in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Offenses, “a frequency prank disturbing public order” may be punished with a fine of PLN 20 to even 5000 PLN. In practice, this means that even a seemingly trivial situation, such as setting up a few screens, can end with a mandate or – in extreme cases – to refer the case to court.

What’s more, the belief popular among sunbathers about the “home mira” protecting the space determined by the screen is completely wrong.

– There is no question here that if someone moves our screen, it violates our homemade, because the screen only sets a certain zone in a conventional way – emphasizes Kruszewski.

Not only the screen – what else to watch out for the Baltic Sea?

Screening is not the only behavior that can end in a fine. There are also other restrictions on the beaches, which many tourists forget or do not know them. Among the most common “sins” of holidays include, among others Eating alcohol in public places (fine from PLN 100 to 500), lighting a grill or bonfire without the consent of the area manager (penalty up to PLN 1,000), leaving garbage (a fine up to PLN 500, and in some situations even court proceedings), introducing dogs to the beaches covered by the ban (the penalty reaches PLN 250), as well mandate).