Music can improve a salon’s atmosphere, but playing protected recordings to customers in Poland is public performance. A consumer subscription or radio receiver does not by itself settle the rights involved.
What is ZAiKS and why does a salon pay it?
ZAiKS is a Polish collective management organisation representing authors and composers. A typical commercial recording also contains performer and producer rights, administered separately.
| Organisation | What it protects | Who generally pays |
|---|---|---|
| ZAiKS | composers and lyricists | venues playing its repertoire publicly |
| STOART | performing artists | venues playing represented recordings |
| ZPAV | record producers | venues playing represented recordings |
Consequently, one playlist can generate three agreements and three bills. The obligation depends on the repertoire and actual use, not simply on whether the business calls music “background.”
How much does ZAiKS cost in 2026?
Tariffs vary with the business category, location, floor area, number of seats and use of music. The figures below are the source article’s estimates for a 60 m² beauty salon, not universal quotes:
Estimated annual costs for a 60 m² beauty salon
| Organisation | Estimated annual fee |
|---|---|
| ZAiKS | PLN 480–720 |
| STOART | PLN 300–480 |
| ZPAV | PLN 180–360 |
| TOTAL | PLN 960–1,560 per year |
Always check current official tariff tables and the classification of your venue before budgeting.
Penalties for having no ZAiKS licence
If protected repertoire is used without permission, a rights holder or collecting organisation may demand that use stop, claim unpaid remuneration or seek damages under Polish law. The result depends on the evidence and circumstances; this article does not predict an individual case.
Are Spotify, YouTube or radio enough?
No. Consumer services normally grant personal, non-commercial access. They do not replace a public-performance licence. A broadcaster’s payment covers its broadcast, not a salon’s separate communication of that broadcast to customers.
A legal alternative: royalty-free business music
“Royalty-free” does not mean copyright-free. It describes a licensing model in which the necessary public-performance rights are cleared at source. A provider should expressly cover authors, performers and producers and issue documentary proof.
Annual cost comparison (60 m² salon)
| Option | Annual cost |
|---|---|
| Radio + 3 licences (ZAiKS/STOART/ZPAV) | PLN 960–1,560 |
| Spotify + 3 licences still required | PLN 1,080–1,680 |
| SoundYou (licence included) | approx. PLN 600 |
These are indicative figures from the Polish source and can change.
What does a ZAiKS inspection look like?
A representative may ask what is playing and request the legal basis for public use. Keep agreements, payment records or a directly licensed catalogue certificate available. Read our step-by-step inspection guide.
Questions and answers
Q: Must I pay ZAiKS for instrumental music?
A: Instrumental works can still have protected composers, performers and recordings.
Q: Does a one-person salon pay too?
A: A small business is not automatically exempt; actual public use and the applicable tariff matter.
Q: Can I play classical music without a licence?
A: A composition may be in the public domain while a modern performance and recording remain protected.
Q: How much does ZAiKS registration cost?
A: There is no single salon rate. Request the current tariff for your specific venue and use.
Q: Does SoundYou replace all three licences?
A: For the SoundYou catalogue, its public-performance licence is intended to clear all three layers. It does not authorise unrelated music from Spotify, radio or YouTube.
Informational material concerning Poland; verify current tariffs and obtain advice for your circumstances.
