Starting a business in Poland is an attractive prospect for entrepreneurs from Ukraine and other post-Soviet countries. Poland offers favorable conditions both for relocation of an existing business and for launching a new business from scratch.
Statistics speak for themselves – the number of Ukrainian entrepreneurs in Poland is growing every year. According to Gremi Personal, in 2024 their number will reach 33,165 people, which is 16% higher than in 2023 (28,642) and 50% higher than in 2022 (15,896).
The Polish government supports the development of small businesses by creating comfortable conditions for entrepreneurship. There are no bureaucratic obstacles or excessive pressure on business, which is typical of the countries of the former Soviet Union.
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However, the desire to start a business in Poland is not enough for success. You need to carefully weigh the pros and cons, think through the plan to the last detail and choose what kind of business to open in Poland.
Why is Poland a great place to open a business?
Poland is probably the most attractive country in Europe for Ukrainians to open a business. And there are a number of good reasons for this.
Strong and stable economy
It is a country with a dynamic and stable economic situation. In 2018, it was recognized as a developed market state, ranking it alongside economic giants like the USA, Japan and Austria. This indicates the high level of development of the Polish economy and its importance on the world stage.
Even in difficult times, such as during the pandemic, Poland has shown impressive resilience. At the end of 2021, the country demonstrated one of the highest GDP growth rates among EU members. This demonstrates the ability of the Polish economy to recover quickly from crises and continue its progressive development.
Polish government creates the most favorable conditions for business development. Entrepreneurs here do not just stay afloat, but actively develop and prosper. Their contribution to the Polish economy can hardly be overestimated: small and medium-sized businesses account for almost three quarters of the country’s GDP (72.3%), with about half of the GDP (49.1%) generated by small companies.
The Polish government does not stand aside and actively supports business initiatives. Here are just some of the available assistance programs for entrepreneurs:
Grants and support programs from EU funds. Thanks to them it is possible to obtain financing for business development, and on rather favorable terms.
Reimbursement of part of the costs of developing and implementing innovations. If you are planning to modernize production or introduce new technologies, the state is ready to reimburse part of the costs.
Irrevocable financial assistance for the development of innovative projects. This is a great opportunity for startups and companies working in high-tech fields.
Poland Prize program for startups with grants of up to PLN 250,000. If you have a promising business idea, you can receive a substantial amount of money for its realization.
Low taxes
Poland offers businesses some of the most attractive tax conditions in Europe. Thanks to low rates, companies can keep a significant portion of earned profits at their disposal.
For example, the corporate income tax (CIT) rate in Poland is only 19%. Small taxpayers with income up to 2 million euros pay CIT at a reduced rate of 9%. For comparison, in Germany the CIT is 30%, in Belgium – 34%, in Italy – 24%, and in the Czech Republic and Slovakia – 19%.
In addition, entrepreneurs in Poland can choose between several taxation systems, depending on their objectives. They have access to:
General system with a rate of 12.32%.
Linear tax with a fixed rate of 19%.
Lump sum tax, where the rate depends on the area of business and ranges from 2% to 17%.
Such a flexible system makes it possible to choose the optimal tax regime for any business. And the low fiscal burden makes it possible to allocate more funds for the development of your business.
Access to the common market of the European Union
Poland offers businesses another major advantage – access to the European Union’s common market. This is one of the largest and most solvent markets in the world, bringing together more than 440 million consumers.
By registering a company in Poland, you automatically get the opportunity to operate legally in all EU countries without additional permits and licenses. This opens up enormous prospects for business development.
It is easy to register a business and keep accounts
Everyone can open a business in Poland, including citizens of other countries. The registration procedure here is simple and can be done without large expenses. For example, in order to register an LLC (Sp. z o.o.) you need the authorized capital of only 5000 PLN (approximately 1200 EUR). Moreover, it is allowed to deposit money into the account even after the registration is completed.
The whole process takes place online in the S24 system. This makes it easy to register a company without wasting time on paperwork. After registration, the company immediately receives all the necessary numbers: KRS, REGON and NIP.
It is also possible to understand the Polish taxation system on your own, without the help of experts. For this purpose, the Ministry of Finance has developed the e-mikrofirma service. This application helps prepare all the necessary tax data, including JPK_VAT files. It can be accessed online in a browser on the Tax Portal.
What kind of business is profitable to open in Poland?
If you are thinking about the best business to open in Poland, you are on the right track. After all, not all areas of entrepreneurship in this country are equally promising. It is better to take a closer look at those areas that are considered the most profitable and interesting on the Polish market at the moment.
Online stores
A very promising niche for business in Poland. Judge for yourself – about 77% of Poland’s 30 million internet users shop online. The volume of the e-commerce market in the country exceeds 100 billion PLN and continues to grow. It is not surprising that many entrepreneurs are eager to take their place in this field.
An online store requires more modest start-up investments, compared to an offline business, and the organization of work is simpler. If you live in Ukraine, you can sell goods to Poland by simply localizing your store, connecting the necessary integrations (payment systems, multilingualism) and organizing delivery. It is not necessary to register your business in Poland.
If you live directly in Poland, you will need to register a sole proprietorship and rent a warehouse in order to operate legally. However, there are options to avoid this. For example, you can work on a dropshipping scheme, when orders are sent to buyers directly from the supplier’s warehouse. In addition, in Poland there is a limit of income that can be earned without registering a sole proprietorship.
Translation agency
Suitable if you have a good knowledge of Polish and other languages. Despite the closeness of Polish and Ukrainian, there are many differences between them. It is not difficult to master the basic level of Polish, but to become truly fluent requires serious effort and time. That is why the demand for professional translation among Ukrainians in Poland is quite high.
Especially often translations are required for business – localization of websites, documentation, etc. If you find a few good translators and put them together in a team, you can set up your own bureau. As the owner, your role will be to find clients and promote your services.
Translators specialized in specific fields (medicine, technology, law, etc.) will help. Professional niche translation from and into Polish is very much in demand. In addition, don’t forget about other popular languages – English, German, French. The wider the range of your services, the more potential customers.
It also makes sense to offer additional services, such as checking and editing texts by native speakers, layout, transcribing. This will increase the average bill and allow you to stand out from your competitors. The main thing is to set a high quality bar at once and adhere to it rigorously. Satisfied customers will provide you with a constant flow of orders and an influx of new customers.
Internet Marketing Agency
Any business needs online promotion. Therefore, there will always be a demand for the services of marketing agencies, especially among Ukrainian entrepreneurs starting a business in Poland. Not knowing the nuances of the local market and the peculiarities of setting up advertising, they willingly turn to specialists for help.
At first it is possible to target the Ukrainian audience, and then expand the circle of clients to Poles as well. The advantage of an Internet marketing agency is that you can work remotely, from Ukraine, providing services for the Polish market.
Repair work
Poland is being actively built up, many Ukrainians, Belarusians and citizens from other EU countries are moving here. And new tenants, when they move into an apartment, often renovate it to their own taste. So this is a stable and constant demand.
The repair business requires less investment than the construction business. There is no need to draw up a heap of permits and buy expensive special equipment. The main thing is to find craftsmen who will do the work quickly and efficiently. The rest is a matter of technique.
Delivery services
In addition to well-known services like Uber, there are plenty of opportunities for local players in the market. The scheme is simple: you open a company, conclude contracts with restaurants, stores, flower salons and other companies that need delivery.
At first you can self-deliver orders, and on the resulting profits gradually expand – to buy cars, hire couriers, etc. Start with small local partners, such as a pizzeria or an eco-products store. Then, with the right resources and reputation, you can reach the big players like DHL, Amazon or FedEx. They often look for subcontractors among smaller local delivery services for temporary or permanent projects.
The main thing in this business is reliability and customer focus. Orders must arrive on schedule, and couriers must be polite and accurate. One slip-up can cost you your reputation and your contract. So choose your staff carefully, invest in logistics and always have your finger on the pulse.
Boutique hotels
This is something between a hostel and a regular hotel. Typically, a boutique hotel has between 10 and 100 rooms, all with a unique concept and design. Often these hotels have shared kitchens but separate bathrooms.
This format is ideal for young travelers who stay in a city or country for a couple of days and then move on. Common areas allow guests to get to know each other, creating a kind of community. Boutique hotels also often accommodate tour groups, allowing them to spend time together.
If you decide to open a hotel in Poland, try to find your specialty. For example, unusual design, eco-friendliness, national color or any other concept that sets you apart from your competitors.
Actively promote your hotel on booking sites and social networks. Offer guests additional services – shuttle service, excursions, bicycle rental, etc. This will increase your average check and help you stand out in the market. And satisfied guests will provide good reviews and recommendations, which is critical in this business.
Fast food or cafe
Poles love to eat good food, and in big tourist cities like Krakow, Wroclaw or Warsaw there are always a lot of visitors. The main thing is to decide on your target audience: focus on locals, domestic tourists, visitors from Europe or Russian speakers.
It is best to focus on the Polish market – it is stable and reliable. If another lockdown occurs, you can always switch to delivery and local clients without serious financial losses, as has happened many times before.
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However, it is not so easy to open a café or restaurant. You will need from 10,000 to 20,000 euros to rent premises with a kitchen and a hall, to buy equipment, etc. Plus you have to get a lot of permits – from the Sanitary and Fire Department to alcohol licenses (and there are as many as three types of them). The process can take a long time, and if there are already many similar establishments nearby, you may be refused a license altogether.
If you want to open a fast food restaurant, look at local franchises. For example, Telepizza will cost at least 100,000 PLN + 10,000 lump sum. A Biesiadowo franchise already costs about 40,000 PLN, and KOKU Sushi – from 70,000 to 120,000 PLN + 25,000 license fees.
Development circles for children
Parents are always ready to invest in the education and development of their children, so the demand will be. But there are a couple of nuances:
You will either need to know Polish well yourself or hire Polish-speaking teachers;
You need to take care of all the necessary licenses, certificates and permits. Bureaucracy cannot be avoided.
But if you yourself are an expert in a certain field and already have experience of working with children, the studio can be a very successful project. Drawing, gymnastics, singing – choose what you like and what you know how to do.
The main thing is to offer a quality program of classes and great teachers. Take care of teaching materials, equipment and safety. Establish communication with parents, stay in touch, report on progress.
In addition, launch your own website, groups in social networks, establish word of mouth. Offer bonuses for bringing friends, organize open classes and festivals. Give parents a chance to see what their children are doing and the results.
Beauty salon
Many immigrants from the CIS note that the level of Polish specialists in this field is often low, but qualified staff is in high demand. So, if you feel that you can do better, and at the same time know how to keep everything under control, go ahead.
But be prepared for the paperwork. To open a beauty salon, you need to fulfill a bunch of sanitary requirements of the Ministry of Health from 2004. They concern not only equipment, but also the layout of the premises. This means that serious investments cannot be avoided. Even a small hairdressing salon with 4 chairs is unlikely to cost 100,000 PLN.
There are also several large franchises in this area. For example, Jean Louis David will cost at least 400,000 PLN, while Samira Hair & Beauty will cost from 40,000 to 80,000 PLN. But you will get a ready-made business model and support from the franchisor.
Remember! It is not enough to be a guru in the field of haircuts or manicures. You need to keep up to date with current trends, offer relevant services, and work on service.
Second hand store
Many Ukrainians, having moved to Poland, are surprised: the assortment of local second hand shops is much more modest and worse in quality than in their home country. Despite the fact that Poles have a high demand for second-hand clothes. This is where our compatriots take matters into their own hands, often quite successfully.
The main advice for those who decide to conquer this niche is not to buy from Polish wholesalers. Look for your own channels of supplying stock from richer European countries – Switzerland, Belgium, Ireland. This way you will be able to offer your customers a truly unique choice and stand out from your competitors.
Also, don’t skimp on equipment for the warehouse and sales area: hangers, racks, fitting rooms, lighting – everything should be comfortable and presentable. Carefully check each item before laying it out: the buyer should not find a hole or a stain. Consider a system of discounts and bonuses for regular customers.
As for promotion, rely on social media and local marketing. Post bright photos of new arrivals, communicate with the audience, organize drawings and contests. Don’t forget about offline: hand out flyers and leaflets in crowded places, arrange mutual PR with other local businesses.
Bad ideas for business in Poland
Now let’s move on to the most problematic and frankly bad ideas for business in Poland. You might be able to make billions in these niches, but as practice shows, most entrepreneurs usually fail.
Construction
This is definitely not something you should undertake in Poland without serious experience. And even if you do have it, it is better to forget about contracts for apartment buildings. This niche has long been firmly occupied by local and European giants, and it is almost unrealistic to break through here at first.
Of course, no one prevents you from registering a company and trying your luck in the private construction market. But let’s be honest – the chances of success are slim. Let’s say you have opened a company, obtained all the licenses, purchased equipment and materials, recruited workers. Started advertising and…. silence. People are unlikely to risk entrusting an expensive project to a newcomer without a portfolio. They won’t even look at examples of houses built outside Poland – you can’t prove authorship anyway.
People will prefer to spend money on an organization with a name and experience, because there is a wide choice on the market. And you run the risk of being left at a broken trough: with a pile of unclaimed equipment, dissatisfied staff and debts on office rent.
Clothing store
The market is already oversaturated, with mass-market and branded boutiques on every corner. The customer has plenty to choose from, and is unlikely to risk going to a newcomer without a reputation. Why experiment when there are proven and trusted stores nearby?
This is a problem for many types of retailers. The exception is the sale of essential goods at home. If you want to open a clothing store from scratch – think carefully. The chances of getting through without powerful investments in advertising and huge discounts are slim.
Another thing is a franchise of a well-known brand. Here you get the support of the parent company, well-established business processes and customer loyalty. But the costs will be much higher – only on the lump sum will have to give a tidy sum.
Grocery store
Another questionable idea. The market has already been formed and divided between the big players:
Żabka is a network of mini-markets all over the country. Prices are 30% higher than in hypermarkets, but they are always close at hand.
Biedronka – popular supermarkets in the middle price segment. Optimal combination of cost and quality.
Auchan and other hypermarkets – large selection and lowest prices.
In Poland, you will not find the usual “convenience stores” owned by sole proprietorships as in the CIS. Therefore, opening a private shop and competing with mastodons like Żabka is a lost cause.
Not only will it be difficult to win back market share. Getting a license to sell alcohol (which is a significant part of the revenue) is a whole story. Quotas are limited, and a newcomer will definitely not get one.
Plus don’t forget about horse taxes, certification of goods, sanitary and epidemiological inspections and other joys of retailing. Add the costs of premises, equipment, staff, advertising. Now imagine how much turnover you need to make it pay off. The locals are unlikely to come to you in droves when you have a proven network at your doorstep.
What do I need to open a business in Poland?
So, you have decided on your field of activity and made a business plan. Now it is time to move on to the practical steps of starting a business in Poland. Here it is important to do everything correctly from a legal point of view in order not to face problems and unnecessary expenses in the future.
Choose the type of legal entity
When starting a business, most Polish entrepreneurs choose one of two options.
JDG
Jednoosobowa działalność gospodarcza is the Polish equivalent of a sole proprietorship available to certain categories of foreigners:
Ukrainians with UKR status in the PESEL number;
Holders of a Pole Card or residing on a permanent residence permit;
Citizens of EU countries;
Certain temporary residence permit holders (depends on the reason for granting the status);
Highly qualified professionals who have a work permit (“EU Blue Card”);
Foreigners with other grounds under Polish law.
Important! JDG is not suitable for everyone. Before registering a sole proprietorship, make sure that your status allows you to do so. Check the possibility of opening a JDG according to the basis of your stay in Poland with lawyers or tax authorities.
Sp. z o.o.
Spółka z ograniczoną odpowiedzialnością is the Polish equivalent of an LLC, which any foreigner can register. Here are the main advantages of this form of ownership:
Authorized capital from 5 thousand zlotys. Many times less than in most EU countries.
The founders are liable only to the extent of their contribution to the authorized capital. Personal assets are not affected even if the firm goes bankrupt.
You can save on insurance premiums. A sole proprietor pays 350-400 euros per month to ZUS, while for Sp. z o.o. such payment is not provided for.
Founders can be from 1 to several persons, including companies. This makes it possible to attract investments and share risks.
Registering an LLC in Poland costs about 250 euros. For comparison, in the Czech Republic the minimum capital is 1 euro, but services to open a company cost from 500 euros.
Register a company
When the form of ownership is chosen, you can proceed to business registration. The process will be different for sole proprietorships (JDG) and LLCs (Sp. z o.o.). Here are the step-by-step instructions.
JDG Registration
To register a sole proprietorship, you need to apply to the CEIDG (Central Registry of Economic Activities). This can be done:
Online at gov.pl. The fastest and most convenient way.
Through online banking Millenium, PKO BP, mBank and a number of other banks. Will help to save travel time.
In person through the administration of the city where the entrepreneur is registered. Not the most effective, but a proven method.
Tip! Choose the electronic submission method. This way you will save time and effort. Usually online registration of a sole proprietorship takes 1-2 days and costs nothing.
Registration Sp. z o.o.
To open an LLC, it is necessary to enter the company in the KRS (National Court Register). Two options are possible:
Submit documents online at S24 or the PRS portal.
Go to a notary if for some reason the online option is not suitable.
It takes 5-7 working days to register an LLC. In addition, it will be necessary to pay the state duty. The actual amount of the fee can be found on the KRS website (it may change).
Attention! When registering Sp. z o.o. needs a legal address. The premises are owned or leased on a long-term basis. Just a mailbox won’t do. Consider whether such an address can be found. As a last resort, it is possible to rent a legal address from special companies. The cost is from 20 euros per month.
Get a tax number
NIP is your personal tax identifier in Poland. It is usually assigned automatically when you register your business. If this is not the case, send an application in Form NIP-7 to the tax office where the company is registered.
The procedure is free of charge, but you will have to wait. The number will be assigned within 2-4 weeks after the application is submitted. So take care of it in advance.
Open a Polish bank account
When registering a company, you will need to open an account in a Polish bank. Santander Bank, PKO BP or BNP Paribas are suitable for foreign entrepreneurs. For this purpose you need:
Original company registration documents;
Your passport;
2-2.5 hours of personal presence at the branch.
Tip! Check with the bank whether it is possible to submit documents online. For example, through an e-banking platform or by courier. If there is no such option, make an appointment for a visit in advance. This way you will save time and avoid queues.
And most importantly, read the contract carefully. Pay special attention to tariffs, limits and functionality. If something is unclear, do not hesitate to ask questions to a bank employee.
Obtain a license (optional)
Additional documents are needed for certain types of businesses:
Permits – to sell medicines, alcohol, cigarettes, insurance.
Licenses – for passenger and freight transportation, real estate operations, private medical practice.
Concessions – for areas of activity that the state strictly controls.
Licenses are issued for a minimum of one year. The exact list of documents depends on your industry. Check the requirements with the relevant agency.
