Are e-receipts mandatory? Current regulations

At the outset, it is worth clarifying that the answer is no—e-receipts are not mandatory for either sellers or customers. In Poland, two systems for confirming purchases continue to operate in parallel: traditional paper receipts and their electronic counterparts.

This means that a retailer may offer e-receipts, but there is no legal obligation to use them or to replace paper receipts with electronic ones.

What is an e-receipt, and how does it differ from a traditional paper one?

An e-receipt is the electronic equivalent of a paper fiscal receipt. It has the same legal force and confirms the transaction on the same terms as its paper version. The difference lies in its form and in the way the document is handed over – instead of a physical printout, the customer receives it electronically, most often via a mobile application, e-mail, or SMS.

Thanks to this, the user does not have to store paper receipts, which may fade or simply get lost. Retailers, on the other hand, are eager to use this solution because it allows them to modernize sales processes, reduce the cost of fiscal printers and consumables, as well as modernize service.

How can a customer receive an e-receipt?

The method of transferring an e-receipt depends on the sales system used in a given company. The most popular solutions are:

• sending the document to the store’s mobile application,
• sending the receipt to the e-mail address,
• sending a receipt to your phone via SMS.

More and more stores are implementing their own applications with shopping, loyalty, and e-receipt modules, because this solution allows you to build a closer relationship with customers, who gain convenient access to the history of all their purchases.

What are the obligations of a seller who uses online cash registers that allow the issuance of e-receipts?

A seller who uses an online cash register can issue an electronic receipt, but only with the customer’s consent. This means that the e-receipt is a voluntary form – both for the seller and the buyer. If the customer disagrees, the seller must hand over a traditional receipt. 

Will e-receipts be mandatory in the future?

Currently, there is no statutory requirement to use e-receipts, but it can be expected that their role will grow. The Ministry of Finance encourages entrepreneurs to use online cash registers that allow them to issue electronic receipts.

Why is the direction of change clear?

• Digitization of administration – development of e-fiscalization systems.
• Ecology – reducing paper consumption and transport costs.
• Convenience for consumers – no need to store paper proof of purchase.

What is worth remembering about e-receipts? Summary

• E-receipts are not mandatory, but they can be used wherever there is an online cash register.
• The client has the right to choose whether he wants to receive the document in paper or electronic form.
• E-receipts are a full-fledged proof of purchase – just as necessary as a paper receipt.
• The growing popularity of digital solutions suggests that they may become the standard in the future.
• It is a convenient, ecological, and durable form of transaction confirmation, which is eagerly used by customers and sellers alike.

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