Publications in journals from the Polish List are important for researchers who work within the Polish academic system or plan to validate the results of their scientific activity. At the same time, when choosing a publication venue, it is not enough simply to find a journal in the List. It is necessary to take into account its current status, the number of points assigned to it, the scientific discipline and the editorial requirements. What should be checked before submitting an article and what changes are taking place in the system in 2026? We discuss this in our new article.
What is the Polish List?
Polish List is the official List of scientific journals and peer-reviewed materials from international conferences, compiled by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education. The List is used, in particular, when assessing the quality of scientific activity and in academic procedures.
For each journal in the List, relevant data are provided, making it possible to determine its position within the Polish system for evaluating scientific publications.
Before choosing a journal, an author should first check:
- the exact title of the journal and its ISSN
- whether the journal is included in the current List
- the number of points assigned to the journal
- the scientific disciplines to which the journal is assigned
- whether the journal’s subject area corresponds to the content of the article
Current and historical versions of the List can be checked through the Polish Scientific Bibliography (PBN) system.
How many points can a journal from the Polish List have?
One of the main characteristics of a journal in the Polish List is the number of points assigned to it. The current system uses levels of 20, 40, 70, 100, 140 or 200 points. The number of points is taken into account when assessing scientific results and is important for the academic activity of both the author and the institution.
At the same time, it is not advisable to focus solely on the maximum number of points. When choosing a journal, it is also necessary to assess whether its scientific profile corresponds to the subject of the research and whether the editorial requirements can realistically be met.
The following are also important for the author:
- whether the journal corresponds to the required scientific discipline
- the current number of points
- the profile and subject area of the journal
- peer-review conditions and manuscript review times
- requirements regarding the structure, formatting and language of the article
What requirements apply to the article?
The mere fact that a journal is included in the Polish List does not mean that there is a single set of manuscript requirements for all journals. The article format, length, structure, citation style, publication language, abstract requirements and reference-list formatting are determined by the editorial policy of each individual journal.
Before submitting the work, it is necessary to review the current author guidelines on the journal’s official website. Even journals with the same number of points may have significantly different requirements regarding formatting, research structure and the peer-review procedure.
It is also worth checking separately whether the topic of the article corresponds to the journal’s specialisation. Inclusion in the Polish List does not guarantee acceptance of a manuscript if the research topic does not correspond to the journal’s editorial policy.
Are all journals from the Polish List indexed in Scopus and Web of Science?
A journal’s inclusion in the Polish List and its indexing in international scientometric databases are criteria that must be checked separately.
Under the new rules for compiling the List, journals with active Scopus indexing or those represented in Web of Science will automatically be included in the draft of the new List. At the same time, journals represented in DOAJ, EBSCO, ERIH+ and the ICI Journal Master List may also be included following expert evaluation.
Therefore, if a researcher requires publication in a journal from the Polish List as well as in a journal indexed in Scopus or Web of Science, both statuses must be checked separately before submitting the article.
What is changing for journals in the List in 2026?
In May 2026, new rules for compiling the List came into force in Poland. They provide for a two-stage journal evaluation system: bibliometric and, where necessary, expert evaluation. For journals represented in Scopus and Web of Science, the number of points in the new system will depend to a significant extent on their position in international rankings. The Science Evaluation Committee has also been given the ability not to include a journal in the draft List if it fails to comply with scientific or ethical standards.
However, authors should take the transition period into account. The new List is planned to be prepared and published by the end of 2026, while its official signing is scheduled for the beginning of 2027. Therefore, the new rules will effectively apply to the new List from 2027.
How should a journal be selected for publication?
Publishing in a journal from the Polish List requires a comprehensive approach to selecting a publication venue. First of all, it is necessary to check the journal’s current status, the number of points assigned to it and its correspondence to the relevant scientific discipline. After that, the editorial policy, subject area, manuscript requirements and peer-review procedure should be analysed in detail.
It is particularly important to check the information immediately before submitting the article. The Polish List system is currently being updated, and the new List will be compiled in accordance with the rules introduced in 2026. Analysing the journal in advance will help to select a publication venue that corresponds not only to the subject of the research but also to the author’s specific publication and academic goals.
Do you need a publication in a journal from the ministerial list? Contact Scientific Publications. Our specialists will help you develop a publication plan and select a reliable journal. We will also support you at every stage of the process until successful publication. To learn more about our service, complete the form below and our manager will provide you with a free consultation. Together – towards new scientific achievements!
