Poland in 2025 has become a top destination for global companies looking to expand into Central and Eastern Europe. With a growing economy, skilled workforce, and access to the EU single market, it offers opportunities for startups, SMEs, and multinational enterprises. Cities like Warsaw, Kraków, and Wrocław are thriving hubs for technology, finance, and manufacturing, making it highly attractive for businesses planning to register a business in Poland and establish a strong local presence.
Foreign entrepreneurs are attracted to Poland’s business environment for its strategic location, investor-friendly policies, and strong infrastructure. This guide will help you understand market entry options, business structures, registration steps, documentation, compliance, and Employer of Record (EOR) alternatives.
Table of Contents
- Exploring Your Market Entry Options in Poland
- Business Structures You Can Choose From
- Comparing Business Structure Options
- How to Choose the Right Business Model for Your Operations
- Step-by-Step Guide to Company Registration in Poland
- Key Documents Required to Register Your Polish Company
- Post-Incorporation Essentials You Shouldn’t Ignore in Poland
- Additional Business Licenses and Registrations You Might Need in Poland
- Timeframe to Set Up a Business in Poland
- What Does It Cost to Incorporate a Company in Poland?
- Obstacles Global Founders May Face While Setting Up in Poland
- Incorporating as a Foreign-Owned Company: A Special Path
- Employer of Record: A Simpler Way to Hire in Poland Without Incorporation
- Why Asanify is the Ideal Partner for Global Companies Entering Poland
- Summary & Final Takeaways
- FAQs
Exploring Your Market Entry Options in Poland
Before registering a company, it is important to decide how you want to operate in Poland. Businesses generally choose one of two paths:
Incorporating a Local Business Entity
Registering a local entity in Poland requires submitting documents to the National Court Register (KRS), obtaining a tax number, and registering for social security if hiring employees. This route is ideal for companies planning long-term operations or establishing a significant local presence.
Hiring Through an Employer of Record (EOR)
For companies looking for quick market entry, hiring through an EOR is the fastest and most flexible approach. The EOR acts as the legal employer, managing contracts, payroll, taxes, and social security compliance while you retain operational control. This option is perfect for market testing, pilot projects, or building small teams without the complexity of full incorporation.
Business Structures You Can Choose From
Poland offers several legal business structures to accommodate different sizes and objectives:
- Sole Proprietorship (Jednoosobowa Działalność Gospodarcza) – Simple setup but unlimited personal liability.
- Civil Law Partnership (Spółka Cywilna) – Low-cost and flexible for two or more partners; joint liability applies.
- General Partnership (Spółka Jawna) – Partners share management and liability.
- Limited Partnership (Spółka Komandytowa) – Combines general partners with unlimited liability and limited partners with restricted liability.
- Limited Liability Company (Spółka z o.o.) – Most popular structure for SMEs and foreign investors; requires minimum share capital of 5,000 PLN.
- Joint-Stock Company (Spółka Akcyjna) – Suited for large enterprises or those planning to raise capital publicly; requires 100,000 PLN minimum capital.
- Branch Office – Extension of a foreign company without separate legal personality but requires registration in Poland.
Comparing Business Structure Options
| Structure | Ownership | Liability | Taxation | Compliance | Best For |
| Sole Proprietorship | 1 owner | Unlimited | Personal income tax | Low | Freelancers and micro-businesses |
| Civil Law Partnership | 2+ partners | Unlimited | Personal income tax | Low | Small co-owned ventures |
| General Partnership | 2+ partners | Unlimited | Personal income tax | Moderate | Local trading or service firms |
| Limited Partnership | 1+ general, 1+ limited partner | Mixed | Personal/Corporate tax | Moderate | Joint ventures with investors |
| Spółka z o.o. | 1+ shareholders | Limited | Corporate tax | Moderate | SMEs and foreign investors |
| Spółka Akcyjna | 1+ shareholders | Limited | Corporate tax | High | Large corporations and public fundraising |
| Branch Office | Parent company | Parent liable | Corporate tax on Polish revenue | Moderate | Market testing by foreign companies |
How to Choose the Right Business Model for Your Operations
The ideal structure depends on your business size, risk tolerance, and growth objectives.
- Solo entrepreneurs or microbusinesses often choose a Sole Proprietorship or Civil Law Partnership.
- SMEs and foreign companies typically prefer Spółka z o.o. for its limited liability and investor credibility.
- Large corporations or companies planning to raise capital select Spółka Akcyjna.
- For short-term market testing or small team setups, a Branch Office or EOR is the most flexible solution.
Step-by-Step Guide to Company Registration in Poland
- Choose the right legal structure based on your goals and capital requirements.
- Reserve a unique company name through the National Court Register (KRS).
- Prepare Articles of Association and have them notarized.
- Deposit the required share capital in a Polish bank account.
- Submit your registration application to KRS (can be done online through S24 for Spółka z o.o.).
- Obtain a REGON number (statistical number) and a NIP (tax identification number).
- Register for VAT if required by your business activities.
- Register for social security (ZUS) if hiring employees.
Key Documents Required to Register Your Polish Company
- Passports or IDs of all directors and shareholders
- Proof of residential address for directors and shareholders
- Articles of Association (notarized)
- Bank statement confirming share capital deposit
- Registered office address in Poland (lease or ownership proof)
- UBO (Ultimate Beneficial Owner) declaration for compliance with EU rules
Suggested Read: The Complete 2025 Guide to Labour Laws in Poland
Post-Incorporation Essentials You Shouldn’t Ignore in Poland
After registration, several steps are critical for compliance:
- Register for corporate tax and VAT with the tax office
- Submit UBO declaration to the Central Register of Beneficial Owners (CRBR)
- Open a corporate bank account for operations
- Register with ZUS for social security contributions if hiring staff
- Maintain proper accounting books and file annual financial statements to KRS
Additional Business Licenses and Registrations You Might Need in Poland
Certain industries or activities require extra licenses or permits:
- Trade licenses for physical stores or warehouses
- EORI number for EU import/export activities
- Sector-specific approvals for finance, food, or healthcare businesses
- Environmental or safety permits for industrial or manufacturing activities
Timeframe to Set Up a Business in Poland
Poland has a relatively straightforward registration process if documents are prepared correctly.
| Step | Estimated Duration |
| Prepare and notarize incorporation documents | 2–4 business days |
| Deposit share capital and secure bank confirmation | 2–5 business days |
| File registration with KRS and obtain company number | 3–7 business days |
| Obtain NIP, REGON, and VAT registration | 3–7 business days |
| Total Time to Register | 10–20 business days |
Delays can occur if foreign documents require translation, apostille, or additional approvals.
What Does It Cost to Incorporate a Company in Poland?
Typical costs vary by company type and services used:
- Court registration fees: 350–600 PLN
- Notary fees: 600–1,200 PLN
- Minimum share capital: 5,000 PLN for Spółka z o.o. and 100,000 PLN for Spółka Akcyjna
- Professional services (legal, accounting): 1,000–3,000 PLN
- Optional licenses or permits: 500–1,500 PLN
On average, total incorporation costs range from 2,000 to 6,000 PLN.
Obstacles Global Founders May Face While Setting Up in Poland
Foreign businesses may encounter:
- Mandatory translation and notarization of foreign documents
- In-person verification required for certain banking procedures
- Understanding Polish labor and corporate tax regulations
- Navigating additional licenses for regulated industries
- Managing compliance remotely without a local representative
Incorporating as a Foreign-Owned Company: A Special Path
Foreign investors can choose different entry routes in Poland:
- Wholly-Owned Subsidiary (Spółka z o.o. or Spółka Akcyjna) – Offers full control and limited liability
- Branch Office – Operates as an extension of the foreign parent company
- Representative Office – Used for market research or liaison purposes without commercial activity
Most sectors allow 100% foreign ownership, but specific industries like finance, defense, and energy may require prior approval under Polish FDI regulations.
Employer of Record: A Simpler Way to Hire in Poland Without Incorporation
An Employer of Record (EOR) allows foreign companies to hire Polish employees quickly without creating a local entity. The EOR acts as the legal employer, managing contracts, payroll processing, taxes, and social contributions while you maintain operational control.
- EOR allows market testing and rapid team setup without incorporation.
- Handles payroll, tax withholdings, ZUS social security contributions, and employee benefits.
- Reduces risks of non-compliance and misclassification under Polish labor laws.
- Ideal for pilot projects, short-term operations, or small distributed teams.
- Saves time, lowers costs, and ensures full legal compliance in Poland.
Suggested Read: Employer of Record Poland: A Comprehensive Guide 2025
Why Asanify is the Ideal Partner for Global Companies Entering Poland
Expanding into Poland involves navigating legal, tax, and HR regulations, which can be complex for foreign companies. Asanify streamlines this process with both company incorporation and Employer of Record (EOR) solutions.
- Provides end-to-end support for incorporation and EOR-based hiring in Poland.
- Handles company registration, tax setup, manage payroll, and social security compliance.
- EOR services allow hiring Polish employees in days without forming a local entity.
- Ensures compliance with Polish labor laws, payroll taxes, and employee benefits.
- Trusted by startups, SMEs, and multinationals for local expertise and transparent pricing.
Summary & Final Takeaways
Growing into Poland offers significant opportunities for international companies, but choosing the right market entry strategy is crucial. Most businesses will evaluate two main options: incorporating a local entity (such as a Spółka z o.o. or Spółka Akcyjna) or hiring through an Employer of Record (EOR).
If your goal is to build a long-term presence, scale operations, or maintain full operational control, establishing a registered Polish company is the most suitable choice. On the other hand, if you want rapid market entry, plan to test operations, or need to hire a small team without the burden of full incorporation, an EOR allows you to enter the market quickly while staying fully compliant.
FAQs
Around 10–20 business days if documents are complete and notarized.
Yes, structures like Spółka z o.o. and Spółka Akcyjna allow 100% foreign ownership.
Not always, but in-person visits may be needed for banking and notarization.
5,000 PLN for Spółka z o.o. and 100,000 PLN for Spółka Akcyjna.
Yes, through an Employer of Record (EOR) for full legal and payroll compliance.
Corporate income tax (CIT), VAT, and ZUS social security contributions.
Most sectors are open, but finance, defense, and energy may require approvals.
Yes, you can register a Spółka z o.o. and transfer operations.
Non-compliance can lead to fines, business restrictions, or director liability.
Not to be considered as tax, legal, financial or HR advice. Regulations change over time so please consult a lawyer, accountant or Labour Law expert for specific guidance.
