Calling emergency services without cause: what are the legal consequences
On the evening of 9 August 2026, a rescue operation on the beach in Ustka turned out to be entirely groundless. Someone reported a person allegedly drowning in the sea. The response involved the Maritime Search and Rescue Service (Morska Służba Poszukiwania i Ratownictwa, SAR), WOPR water lifeguards, a medical rescue team, and a Medical Air Rescue (Lotnicze Pogotowie Ratunkowe) helicopter that landed on the beach. On site it was established that the report did not reflect reality. Such situations — regardless of who causes them — carry concrete legal consequences.
Legal state as of 11 August 2026. The Polish version is the source version.
What happened
According to media reports (TVP3 Gdańsk, o2.pl), the call concerned a woman said to be drowning at an unguarded bathing area. When the services arrived, the person showed no signs of near-drowning, and the cause of her condition was alcohol. An operation using a helicopter and several rescue teams was launched without any actual need. We do not publish the personal data of those involved — we describe only the legal mechanism, not individuals.
What the law says
A groundless or false call to the emergency services is an offence (wykroczenie) in Poland. Under art. 66 § 1 of the Petty Offences Code (Kodeks wykroczeń, Dz.U. 2025 poz. 734, consolidated text): anyone who, intending to cause an unnecessary action, by false information or otherwise misleads a public utility institution or an authority protecting safety, public order or health, is liable to arrest, restriction of liberty or a fine of up to PLN 1,500. In addition, art. 66 § 2 provides that if the offence caused an unnecessary action, a supplementary payment (nawiązka) of up to PLN 1,000 may be ordered. Liability arises for intentional conduct — where someone knowingly misleads the services. In practice the police often close such cases with a fine (mandat karny), but where the consequences are more serious the matter may go to court.
Why this is a serious problem
Every unjustified call ties up people and equipment that, at the same moment, may be needed by someone in genuine, life-threatening danger. A helicopter, a medical team and lifeguards sent to a fictitious event are a real risk for those who actually need help.
What this means for you
- Petty-offence law applies to everyone on Polish territory — Polish citizens and foreigners alike.
- In a real emergency call 112, and on the water also 601 100 100 (the water emergency number) — calls are free.
- Do not call the services without genuine need or „for fun” — this carries liability under art. 66 k.w.
- If you are not sure whether a situation is dangerous, describe it honestly to the 112 operator — it is the operator who decides which services to dispatch.
- A report made in good faith, even if it turns out to be a false alarm, is not an offence; only intentional misleading is punishable.
When it's worth asking a legal adviser
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The content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute individual legal advice. Every administrative matter depends on its individual facts — before acting, confirm the information at the official source or consult an authorised representative.
