Do Influencers in Poland Need to Register With KRRiT? The VOD List Explained

Do Influencers Need to Register With KRRiT? Not All of Them

A wave of questions has been circulating among Polish content creators about KRRiT. Does every influencer need to register somewhere? Is there an annual fee? Does it apply to TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube?

The short answer: not every influencer needs to register with KRRiT. The obligation may only apply to creators who meet the criteria for being an audiovisual on-demand media service provider — in practical terms, those running something that resembles a VOD service.

It's worth clarifying, because the topic is easily confused with taxes, advertising rules, sole trader obligations, or the responsibilities of social media platforms themselves.

What Is KRRiT and How Does It Relate to Influencers?

KRRiT — the National Broadcasting Council of Poland — maintains a list of audiovisual on-demand media services. This is not a \"register of all influencers\" in the colloquial sense. It is a VOD services list.

According to KRRiT guidance, the obligation to register may apply to entities that simultaneously meet the following conditions:

• they provide the service themselves;
• they do so as part of a registered business activity;
• they make audiovisual content publicly available based on a catalog they themselves determine.

KRRiT also indicates that this may include individuals publishing their own productions on platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Twitch, or Facebook — but only when the above conditions are met.

Simply having an Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube account is not enough to automatically trigger the registration requirement.

When Might a Creator Be Subject to the VOD List?

A creator may have an obligation to register if their activity resembles a regular on-demand media service. This could apply to someone who:

• runs a registered business as a content creator;
• publishes video content regularly;
• operates a channel with series, playlists, or an organized content catalog;
• earns income from that activity;
• independently decides what content to publish and how to organize it;
• makes content publicly available for viewers to watch at any time of their choosing.

In practice, this is closer to a \"VOD channel\" model than to occasional Stories or casual personal videos.

When Is Registration Likely Not Required?

The obligation should not apply to every online creator. KRRiT's guidance indicates that the nature of the activity matters, not the follower count.

Registration in the VOD list is generally not required when:

• someone publishes content privately or as a hobby;
• video is only a secondary element of another activity;
• the creator publishes irregularly;
• the account consists mainly of photos, text, graphics, or Stories without an organized VOD catalog;
• the person operates as an unregistered sole trader and stays within statutory limits;
• the creator does not run a business in the area of such a service.

Important: follower count alone does not determine the obligation. A small channel may meet the VOD criteria, while a large lifestyle account may not — if video is not a standalone on-demand media service.

Does Registration With KRRiT Cost Anything?

This is one of the most important points. According to KRRiT's official FAQ: registration in the VOD list is free of charge.

There is no blanket rule like \"every influencer must pay an annual KRRiT registration fee.\"

However, two things need to be distinguished:

• registration in the KRRiT VOD list — free;
• other potential obligations for some VOD entities, such as reporting requirements or a potential contribution to PISF (the Polish Film Institute).

What About the 1.5% PISF Contribution?

Discussions about KRRiT often conflate VOD list registration with a separate obligation related to the Polish Film Institute (PISF). Under the Cinematography Act, some entities providing on-demand audiovisual media services may be required to pay 1.5% of certain revenues to PISF. This is not a registration fee paid to KRRiT.

Furthermore, the regulations include exemptions — for example, for micro-enterprises and entities with a very small user base. So it should not be assumed automatically that every influencer owes 1.5%.

Will KRRiT Pre-Approve Content Before Publication?

No. KRRiT's FAQ makes clear that being on the list does not mean content is reviewed or approved before publication. Being registered as a VOD provider means the entity has certain formal obligations — informational, reporting-related, or tied to minor protection rules — not that every video is vetted in advance.

What Happens If a Creator Doesn't Register When They Should?

If a creator genuinely meets the VOD provider criteria and fails to register, KRRiT may open an administrative procedure. A financial penalty is also possible.

The problem shouldn't be ignored — but there's no need to panic. The first step is checking whether the creator's activity actually meets the statutory criteria.

A Simple Self-Check for Creators

If you're a creator, run through these questions:

1. Do you run a registered business related to publishing video content?
2. Do you publish video content on a regular basis?
3. Can your audience watch this content at any time they choose?
4. Do you have an organized content catalog — a channel, series, playlists, episodes?
5. Do you independently decide what content to publish and how it's structured?
6. Is video a significant part of your income-generating activity, not just a side element?

If most answers are \"yes\", it's worth verifying whether the VOD registration obligation applies to you — or consulting a lawyer.

If you primarily post photos, Stories, short promotional clips, or occasional videos and video is not a standalone on-demand media service, the obligation may not apply.

What Does This Mean for Brands Working With Influencers?

For brands, the KRRiT topic is not a reason to stop working with creators. It's a reason to work with them more professionally.

Brands should pay attention to whether the collaboration is correctly labeled as advertising, whether the creator operates legally and transparently, whether the campaign scope is documented in a contract, whether content rights, publication timelines, and approval terms are clearly defined, and whether large video-channel creators understand their own regulatory obligations.

This matters especially for long-term partnerships, brand ambassadorships, and campaigns built around regular video content.

A platform like Blogger Bank helps both brands and creators work transparently from the start: campaigns have clear briefs, collaboration terms are agreed before work begins, and payments are handled in an organized way — regardless of whether a given creator falls under VOD regulations or not.

Key Takeaways

• Not every influencer needs to register with KRRiT.
• There is no simple \"register of all influencers.\"
• The obligation relates to the VOD list — audiovisual on-demand media services.
• The obligation depends on the nature of the activity, not the follower count.
• Registration in the VOD list is free.
• The potential 1.5% PISF contribution is a separate topic and does not automatically apply to every creator.
• Brands should treat the topic as part of compliance — not a reason for alarm.