In 2025, tourist vouchers in Poland were regional rather than a nationwide programme. Two initiatives were discussed – the Podlaskie Tourist Voucher (Podlaski Bon Turystyczny), launched by the regional government of the Podlaskie voivodeship, and a voucher for the areas hit by the September 2024 flood, covering Lower Silesia and the Opole region. The second programme was never created – in 2025, only the Podlaskie voucher was implemented. Such programmes were meant to support the local tourism industry and the economic recovery of areas particularly in need of help.
The regional approach to tourist vouchers emerged after the end of the nationwide Polish Tourist Voucher (Polski Bon Turystyczny; Act of 15 July 2020, Journal of Laws (Dz.U.) 2020 item 1262), which could be used until 31 March 2023. According to ZUS (Social Insurance Institution) data, there were over 3.9 million active vouchers in the system, and about 95% of them were used – almost 3.8 million. The 2025 initiatives were meant to direct tourist traffic to areas with high development potential and to those needing support after natural disasters.
Podlaskie Tourist Voucher – the first regional scheme
In 2025, the Podlaskie voivodeship became the first region to launch its own tourist voucher programme. The Podlaskie Tourist Voucher was an initiative of the regional government (organiser: Podlaska Regionalna Organizacja Turystyczna, the regional tourism organisation; programme budget PLN 2,000,000), aimed at making the region more attractive to tourists and supporting local tourism businesses. The programme was designed to attract tourists from outside the Podlaskie voivodeship, which was meant to contribute to the economic development of the whole region. In 2026, a second edition was run on different rules (a PLN 300 voucher, ended on 31 August 2026).
In the 2025 edition, the Podlaskie Tourist Voucher was available only to adults living in Poland outside the Podlaskie voivodeship. The condition for using the programme was booking a stay of at least two nights at one of the participating accommodation providers
The programme offered different subsidy amounts depending on the category of accommodation chosen. Stays in agritourism lodgings, guest rooms, mountain shelters, campsites, hostels, camping fields and one- and two-star hotels were subsidised with PLN 200. Tourists choosing guesthouses, motels, excursion houses, holiday resorts and apartments could count on PLN 300. The highest subsidy of PLN 400 was available to those staying in three-, four- and five-star hotels. We cover a different kind of public support in our article on the disability code and the PFRON wage subsidy.
Generating tourist vouchers for the Podlaskie voivodeship started on 20 April 2025 on a dedicated website, and the second round on 1 June 2025. The voucher was assigned to a specific person and could not be transferred to anyone else or exchanged for cash
The procedure for using the Podlaskie Tourist Voucher was designed to keep things simple for tourists. The tourist filled in an application on the official website, indicating the type of accommodation, generated the voucher and booked a stay of at least two nights directly with a participating provider, paying on site. At check-in, the generated voucher had to be shown, and the price of the stay was reduced by the value of the subsidy.
Funds were allocated in monthly pools on a first-come, first-served basis. Funds not used in a given month were carried over to the following months, which helped keep the subsidy available throughout the programme. Accommodation providers could register for the programme until 11 April 2025, and the whole programme ran from 24 March to 31 December 2025.
The Podlaskie Tourist Voucher covered only accommodation costs and did not apply to other tourist services such as meals or attractions. Each tourist could use the voucher only once during the programme
Tourist vouchers for flood-hit regions
The second announced regional tourist voucher scheme in 2025 was meant to support Lower Silesia and the Opole region, which were hit by a devastating flood in September 2024. The initiative was intended as a response to the regions' need for economic recovery and to restore their appeal to tourists after the natural disaster.
In early 2025, local governments from the region held talks with the government on the conditions for subsidising tourist stays, and some of them declared they were ready to co-finance such a scheme. The idea of a voucher for municipalities destroyed by the flood was also raised in the Sejm (sitting of 2 April 2025). In the end, the programme was not launched – according to local government officials, the ministry pointed to a lack of funds, and instead of vouchers, options such as funding the promotion of flood-hit areas were considered. The Act of 1 October 2024 amending the Act on special solutions related to removing the effects of floods (Dz.U. 2024 item 1473) does not provide for tourist vouchers. We can take over the day-to-day accounts of accommodation businesses, including VAT and JPK, as part of our bookkeeping services.
The amounts of tourist vouchers for flood-hit regions were never officially set, because the programme was never created. There was speculation that they might be similar to those of the Podlaskie Tourist Voucher, i.e. PLN 200 to PLN 400 depending on the category of accommodation
The criteria for granting tourist vouchers to flood-hit regions were never adopted. The preliminary assumptions discussed in 2025 were that, as with the Podlaskie programme, the vouchers would be available to tourists from outside the Lower Silesian and Opole voivodeships who chose to stay at participating accommodation providers. Owners of guest rooms and holiday apartments should also know the rules on short-term holiday lets and cash registers.
In April 2024, the Minister of Sport and Tourism, Sławomir Nitras, said there was no need for a nationwide tourist voucher because the tourism industry was performing better and better. Local initiatives for regions particularly in need of support may still become part of an economic recovery strategy in the future – but in the flood-hit areas in 2025, tourist vouchers did not become such a tool.
Application process and technical requirements
Introducing regional tourist vouchers requires an efficient application system and suitable technical infrastructure. Experience from previous tourist voucher schemes shows how important it is to prepare the online platform and verification procedures properly.
The application system for tourist vouchers must take into account the specific features of each region and handle a large number of users efficiently. For the Podlaskie Tourist Voucher, the platform https://podlaskibonturystyczny.pl/ was designed for intuitive use and secure processing of users' personal data.
The application procedure for the Podlaskie Tourist Voucher included the following stages:
- Verification that the applicant lives outside the voivodeship covered by the programme
- Booking a stay of at least two nights at a participating accommodation provider
- Generating an individual voucher on the dedicated online platform
- Confirming the booking and receiving the voucher code
- Showing the voucher at check-in
- Automatic deduction of the subsidy from the accommodation bill
Each tourist voucher is assigned to a specific person through a unique identification code. The programme rules prohibit transferring the voucher to another person or exchanging it for cash, which is meant to ensure that public funds are used properly
Accommodation providers wishing to take part in the programme must meet certain quality and technical criteria. The requirements include having the appropriate category or standard, a working booking system and the ability to handle electronic tourist vouchers. In addition, providers must undertake to follow the programme rules and settle the subsidies received on time.
Economic impact of tourist vouchers
Regional tourist vouchers can generate economic effects at both local and regional level. Such programmes are designed to increase turnover in the tourism industry and stimulate the development of related sectors of the economy.
The Polish Tourist Voucher was used for payments throughout the country, including in the Małopolskie, Pomorskie, Zachodniopomorskie and Mazowieckie voivodeships. It was expected that the 2025 regional programmes would have a similar effect in the regions receiving support.
The multiplier effect of tourist vouchers exceeds the direct value of the subsidy, because tourists using vouchers also spend money on food, transport, attractions and shopping in local stores
For flood-hit regions, tourist vouchers could play a particularly important role in economic recovery. More tourist traffic contributes to higher employment in tourism and related sectors, which is crucial for areas dealing with the consequences of a natural disaster. In addition, the presence of tourists helps rebuild the region's positive image and restore confidence in local tourism infrastructure.
In the case of the Podlaskie voivodeship, which has considerable tourism potential but a less developed tourism industry than other Polish regions, tourist vouchers may act as a catalyst for long-term development. Greater recognition of the region and better availability of accommodation may contribute to a lasting increase in tourist traffic even after the voucher programme ends.
Challenges and limitations of regional programmes
Despite the positive aspects of regional tourist vouchers, implementing such programmes involves a number of challenges and limitations that need careful consideration. Concentrating support on selected regions can lead to disparities in tourism development and create unequal conditions of competition between different parts of the country.
Limiting tourist vouchers geographically to specific voivodeships can create tensions between regions and lead to criticism from areas not covered by support. This applies in particular to regions that also face economic challenges or the effects of other natural disasters but were not included in the 2025 support programmes.
The success of regional tourist voucher programmes depends largely on proper preparation of tourism infrastructure and the ability of local businesses to handle increased tourist traffic
Another technical challenge is ensuring that the online platforms handling tourist voucher applications work smoothly. Experience from previous years shows that high interest in a programme can overload IT systems, making it difficult or impossible for tourists to submit applications.
Another limitation is the seasonality of voucher use. Most tourists use the subsidy during the summer holidays, which can overload accommodation in peak season without lengthening the tourist season or increasing traffic in traditionally less popular periods. Before the peak season, it is worth checking your obligations regarding a cash register in the summer season.
Here is a table comparing the main features of both tourist voucher programmes:
| Programme feature | Podlaskie Tourist Voucher | Vouchers for flood-hit regions |
|---|---|---|
| Area covered | Podlaskie voivodeship | Lower Silesia and the Opole region |
| Implementation status | Implemented in 2025 (vouchers from 20 April, programme until 31 December 2025) | Not launched |
| Subsidy amounts | PLN 200–400 | Not set |
| Target group | Residents from outside Podlaskie | Residents from outside the voivodeships covered |
| Main goal | Promoting untapped potential | Recovery after a natural disaster |
Social aspects of tourism support
Regional tourist vouchers have important social consequences that go beyond their direct economic effects. Such a programme affects social integration, the building of regional identity and the strengthening of ties between different parts of the country through tourism.
For residents of the regions receiving support, tourist vouchers are a sign of interest and care from the central authorities, which can help strengthen social trust and a sense of belonging to the national community. This is particularly important in flood-hit areas, where tourism support may be seen as part of a broader strategy of social solidarity.
Increased tourist traffic in regions covered by voucher programmes contributes to cultural exchange and a better understanding of local traditions and heritage among tourists from other parts of Poland
Positive social effects also include greater local pride and self-esteem among residents of the regions receiving support. Tourists' interest in local culture, regional cuisine and attractions can help revive local traditions and encourage young people to stay in the region or return after finishing their education.
However, regional programmes can also create social tensions, especially in regions not covered by support. A sense of injustice or discrimination can lead to conflicts between different parts of the country and weaken social solidarity. That is why it is crucial to communicate the criteria for selecting regions transparently and to make sure that tourism support is part of a broader, fair regional development policy.
Prospects for regional tourism programmes
Experience from the 2025 tourist vouchers will be crucial in shaping future tourism support policy in Poland. Analysing the effectiveness of regional programmes may lead to new support models better suited to the specific needs of different parts of the country.
The development of digital technologies and the growing importance of sustainable tourism may influence how future tourist voucher programmes evolve. Additional criteria may be introduced relating to the environmental performance of accommodation, the promotion of active tourism or support for social initiatives run by local organisations.
Another important aspect of future development may be integrating tourist vouchers with other regional policy instruments, such as infrastructure development programmes, support for small and medium-sized enterprises or educational initiatives. Such a comprehensive approach could make support more effective and its results more lasting.
Monitoring and evaluating the results of tourist voucher programmes will be crucial for decisions on continuing or modifying this type of support in the coming years
International experience points to the growing importance of programmes supporting local tourism, especially in the context of recovery after crises or natural disasters. Poland could become a pioneer in developing innovative tourism support models that could then be adopted by other EU countries.
The future of regional tourist vouchers may also involve greater private sector involvement through public-private partnerships or co-financing schemes. Such solutions could increase the funds available and better align programmes with market needs.
Key elements of future development include:
- Integration with sustainable development policy
- Use of new technologies in serving tourists
- Developing partnerships between different levels of government
- Involving the private sector in programme design
- International exchange of experience and best practice
An example of using a tourist voucher (under the 2025 edition rules): A family from Warsaw planning a weekend in Podlasie could use a PLN 400 tourist voucher when choosing a three-star hotel. After booking two nights for a total of PLN 800, generating the voucher on the official website and showing it at check-in, the final cost of the stay was PLN 400, a saving of 50%.
