Poland is an EU member state, and Europe remains a key location for anyone reaching for new customers or relocating a team. Poland’s relatively large market and lower labour costs compared to Western neighbours make it an attractive place to invest or set up a new business here. Below are the essentials to know before relocating your business or setting up a new one in Poland in 2026.

If you’re an IT company looking for a way to relocate your team to Europe, drop us a line: we have a virtual-company-based solution for you.

The EU is not a single country

Being a member of the EU doesn’t mean the same laws apply everywhere. While most European directives are eventually implemented into local law, labour laws in Germany, Poland and France differ significantly.

If you’re worried moving to Europe automatically means huge labour costs, Poland may surprise you: social security and health insurance contributions, as well as the minimum wage (4,806 zł gross/month in 2026), remain significantly lower than in Western Europe.

We’d recommend getting familiar with Poland’s Tax Ordinance Act and the rules on VAT, corporate income tax (CIT) and personal income tax (PIT) before relocating.

If you plan to hire people in Poland under B2B contracts instead of employment contracts, be aware of the July 2026 Labour Inspectorate (PIP) reform: since 8 July 2026, a PIP inspector can reclassify a B2B contract into an employment relationship without a court ruling, if it looks like disguised employment in practice. Factor this into your workforce structuring from day one.

It’s easier if you’re an EU citizen

That’s true. If your current company’s country of origin is an EU member state, it’s much easier to post employees to Poland before relocating your whole business, and to register as a sole trader.

Registering a sole proprietorship (JDG, jednoosobowa działalność gospodarcza) is, as a rule, only available to EU/EEA citizens. Non-EU/EEA nationals can register a JDG only if they hold a qualifying residence basis (e.g. an EU long-term resident card, a residence permit granted on family, refugee or certain business/investor grounds, a Polish student residence permit, and a few other specific categories under the Foreigners Act). If you don’t have such a basis yet, a business incubator arrangement can be a practical alternative while you sort out your residence status.

If you come from outside the EU/EEA (e.g. China, Malaysia, India, Russia, Ukraine, the US) and don’t yet have a qualifying residence basis, you’re generally limited to these forms of business organisation, which are open to all foreigners with no exceptions:

  • the ever-popular LLC: Spółka z ograniczoną odpowiedzialnością (Sp. z o.o.);
  • joint-stock company: Spółka Akcyjna (S.A.);
  • registered partnership: Spółka komandytowa;
  • limited joint-stock partnership: Spółka komandytowo-akcyjna.

As you can see, if you were planning on setting up a traditional limited liability company in Poland, it doesn’t matter whether you’re from an EU country or not: that form of incorporation is available to all foreigners, no exceptions. Since 2021, the fastest and cheapest way to register a Sp. z o.o. is the online S24 system (court fee 250 zł, MSiG announcement fee abolished since 29 November 2025).

Check the local market first

Remember to gather local information. Something that works on your home market has no guarantee of working here. At Moja Firma we’ve seen a number of projects fizzle out despite being quite successful in neighbouring countries: Poles simply behave differently as consumers. Germany, for example, has a more developed financial sector, but lags behind Poland in contactless payment adoption.

Before making a final decision, order a market analysis for your project and a competitor analysis. It’s essential to have concrete figures and a marketing strategy before making any hasty decisions: good products don’t automatically mean all doors will open for you here.

Contact local experts

We suggest adopting a start-up mentality, even if you’re already running a well-oiled business machine elsewhere. Don’t hesitate to contact local companies and look for potential partners, especially those with experience dealing with foreigners.

Not sure if local laws will affect your business? Reach out to local lawyers. No idea how bookkeeping works in Poland? Local accountants will have your back. They’ll give you concrete information to base decisions on: entering a new market without any analysis is a reckless endeavour.

FAQ

Do I need a Polish residence permit before I can register a company?


No, foreigners (EU and non-EU alike) can register a Sp. z o.o. or another capital company without a Polish residence permit. A residence basis only becomes relevant if you personally want to run a sole proprietorship (JDG) or need a work/business residence permit to live and work in Poland yourself.

What’s the cheapest way to set up a company remotely?


For capital companies, the S24 online system is the fastest and cheapest option (250 zł court fee). If you’re a freelancer without a qualifying residence basis for JDG, a business incubator arrangement is often a simpler first step.

Author: the Moja Firma team.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Not sure where to start? We may have a solution or two for moving your business to Poland: book a free consultation.