Czy kara umowna wymaga wykazania szkody?

Co do zasady nie trzeba wykazywać wysokości szkody, jeśli kara została skutecznie zastrzeżona w umowie.

Kiedy sąd może obniżyć karę?

Gdy kara jest rażąco wygórowana względem przewidywanej szkody lub okoliczności wykonania.

Czy kara umowna wyklucza odsetki?

Nie zawsze. Zależy od brzmienia umowy; często kara i odsetki funkcjonują równolegle.

Contractual penalty calculator – estimate the amount

Check whether a contractual penalty is grossly excessive. Art. 484 § 2 Civil Code — guidance only; the court decides on reduction.

How does the calculator work?

Under Art. 484 § 2 of the Civil Code the court may reduce kara umowna if the obligation was performed to a significant extent or if the penalty is grossly excessive. The Act does not set a percentage threshold. The calculator shows what percentage of the performance value the penalty is and flags exceeding the indicative threshold (approx. 15%) from case law — only the court decides on excess.

Rates and thresholds (indicative)

Art. 484 KC does not set a percentage threshold for excess. The court assesses whether the penalty is "grossly excessive". Case law suggests that a penalty well above foreseeable loss (e.g. over approx. 15% of performance value in typical contracts) may be questionable.

Indicative (not from statute)	Value
Typical range (case law)	up to approx. 15% of performance value
Potentially "grossly excessive"	above approx. 15%

As of: 2026-02-01. Only the court decides on excess.

Conditions and exceptions

• Art. 484 § 1 KC — the creditor may demand the agreed penalty without proving the amount of loss.
• Art. 484 § 2 KC — the court may reduce the penalty if the obligation was performed to a significant extent or if the penalty is grossly excessive.
• No statutory percentage threshold — the calculator uses an indicative 15% from case law.

Examples

• Contract value 10,000 PLN, penalty 1,000 PLN → 10% — in typical range; court unlikely to reduce. • Contract value 10,000 PLN, penalty 2,500 PLN → 25% — above indicative limit of approx. 15%; court may find penalty grossly excessive and reduce it (Civil Code Art. 484 § 2). • Contract value 50,000 PLN, penalty 7,500 PLN → 15% — on the border; final assessment is for the court.

FAQ

What is kara umowna (contractual penalty)?: Kara umowna is an amount agreed in the contract that the debtor must pay the creditor in case of non-performance or improper performance. Art. 484 § 1 KC: the creditor may demand it in the agreed amount without having to prove the amount of loss.
When can the court reduce the contractual penalty?: Art. 484 § 2 KC: the court may reduce the penalty if the obligation was performed to a significant extent or if the penalty is grossly excessive. The Act does not set a percentage limit — assessment is for the court.
Where does the 15% limit in the calculator come from?: 15% is an indicative value from case law, not from the Act. In typical contracts courts consider the ratio of penalty to performance value and foreseeable loss. The calculator flags exceeding this as potentially "grossly excessive" — only the court decides.
Can I claim both contractual penalty and default interest?: Contractual penalty and default interest may be combined if they arise from different legal bases or the contract allows it; the contract may also exclude such combination (e.g. "penalty instead of interest"). The final assessment always depends on contract wording and case circumstances.
Does contractual penalty replace damages?: Yes. In case of non-performance or improper performance the creditor may claim either the penalty or damages (unless the contract provides otherwise). You cannot combine penalty and damages for the same loss.
Do I have to prove loss to claim the penalty?: No. Art. 484 § 1 KC provides that the penalty is due in the agreed amount regardless of the actual loss. The creditor need not prove the amount of loss — only the fact of non-performance or improper performance.
What if the other party says the penalty is excessive?: The debtor may bring an action to reduce the penalty (Art. 484 § 2 KC) or raise excess as a defence in enforcement. The court will assess whether the penalty is grossly excessive, considering e.g. performance value, type of contract and foreseeable loss.

Legal basis

State of law as of: 2026-02-01.

Legal information

Calculations are for information and estimation only. They do not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice. For individual matters, consultation with a lawyer, tax adviser or other specialist is recommended.

Legal basis

Civil Code, Art. 484 § 1 and § 2 (Dz.U. 1964 no. 16 item 93 as amended). The 15% figure is indicative (case law) and is not set by the Act. Only the court decides on excess.