Poland’s membership in the European Union plays a stabilizing role in the country’s legal system, according to representatives of Team Europe at the European Commission Representation in Poland. Contrary to some public perceptions, EU law is not imposed on member states — rather, they participate actively in its creation. While trust in the EU remains higher in Poland than the European average, concerns about threats to national sovereignty are becoming more pronounced.
Rising Trust in the EU – Especially in Poland
According to the latest Eurobarometer survey (Spring 2025 edition), 52% of EU citizens trust the European Union — the highest figure since 2007. Among Poles, the figure is even higher at 58%. In contrast, trust in national institutions such as the government and parliament is much lower. Nearly 7 in 10 respondents across Europe agree that the EU represents a zone of stability in an increasingly turbulent world. Moreover, 88% believe international cooperation should be more firmly grounded in clear principles.
“We’re in a different place in Europe. Socially, we’re a different society. We’ve become accustomed to freedom. We’ve somewhat forgotten that this isn’t something guaranteed forever. The European project — the building of a united community — is a value that must be nurtured daily. We need to talk about it, especially with the youngest generation of Polish citizens. There’s a large group in Poland that doesn’t remember a world outside the freedom of the EU,” says Dr. Anna Doliwa-Klepacka, professor of law at the University of Białystok and member of Team Europe.
Learning from Established Democracies
Professor Doliwa-Klepacka highlights that Poland’s EU membership contributes significantly to the stability of the country’s legal framework.
“Countries that joined the EU earlier are more mature democracies, with deeply rooted principles of the rule of law and democratic norms. Their societies are more familiar with how such systems function. Poland is still learning — and this is valuable, because we’re learning from the best examples,” she explains.
Sovereignty Concerns on the Rise
Longitudinal studies by Poland’s CBOS research institute show that in 2024, concerns about EU law taking precedence over national law were more frequently voiced than in previous surveys (2014 and 2019). The share of people who feel that EU membership excessively limits Poland’s sovereignty has grown, now matching the share of those who disagree (around 43–44%).
However, the professor stresses that EU regulations are not unilaterally imposed. Decisions are made collectively — with Poland and other member states fully participating. The European Parliament — directly elected by citizens — is one of the two main legislative bodies, alongside the Council, which comprises national ministers.
“There are also social stereotypes, such as the idea that rules exist to be broken — including legal rules in Poland. But we must remember: law is not our enemy. It’s a tool to help organize social relationships,” she adds.
Rethinking Regulation: Less Can Be More
The professor also addresses the ongoing debate around deregulation — a topic gaining attention in Poland. She believes the legal system requires regular evaluation to determine which rules are effective and which are redundant.
“Deregulation is a visible trend in Poland. It’s about reviewing legal acts once we’ve gathered experience with their application. Sometimes the feedback is that a regulation is unnecessary or needs modification. Reviewing legislation with this in mind is a good practice — it helps us determine if there’s too much law, too little, or just the right amount,” she explains.
EU Strategy: Simplifying, Not Deregulating
The European Commission has already taken steps in this direction. In February 2025, it published an official document titled “A Simpler and Faster Europe” for the 2024–2029 period. The document outlines planned simplifications and regulatory streamlining, aiming to make laws easier to understand and quicker to implement. However, the EU frames these efforts not as “deregulation” but rather as simplification.
“It’s difficult to capture simplification in statistics. Sometimes, simplifying means replacing an outdated law and dozens of amendments with a single, comprehensive act. Statistically, it reduces the number of laws — and that’s a positive trend for citizens, entrepreneurs, and all stakeholders who have to comply with the law. It becomes easier to navigate the system when the legal ‘jungle’ is trimmed,” concludes Professor Doliwa-Klepacka.
