REGON (Rejestr Gospodarki Narodowej; formally the National Official Register of National Economy Entities) is a nationwide register of national economy entities, maintained by Statistics Poland (GUS) for public statistics purposes.
- Who needs a REGON number
- How REGON is issued today
- REGON vs NIP: what’s the difference
- Is REGON still needed in 2026
- FAQ
Who needs a REGON number
A REGON number, a 9-digit identifier (14 digits for local units, such as company branches), is mandatory for every national economy entity operating in Poland, including:
- companies and partnerships, e.g. Sp. z o.o.;
- individuals running a sole proprietorship (JDG);
- foundations, associations, and other organizations, even if they don’t conduct business activity.
How REGON is issued today
Under the current model, REGON is assigned automatically, without a separate application, in the two most common cases:
- when registering a JDG with CEIDG: GUS assigns the REGON number ex officio based on the data from the CEIDG-1 form;
- when registering a company with the KRS: the data is automatically forwarded to GUS, which assigns the REGON number (together with the NIP) ex officio.
For entities that don’t register through CEIDG or the KRS (e.g., some foundations or associations that don’t conduct business activity), a REGON number still has to be obtained separately, by filing an RG-1 form with the relevant statistical office.
REGON vs NIP: what’s the difference
Although REGON and NIP often appear together on invoices and forms, they are two completely different numbers, issued by different authorities for different purposes:
| Feature | REGON | NIP |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing authority | GUS (Statistics Poland) | tax office |
| Purpose | statistical identification, national economy entity records | tax identification (VAT, CIT, PIT, invoices) |
| Legal basis | the Public Statistics Act | the Act on the Rules for Recording and Identifying Taxpayers and Tax Remitters |
REGON is not a tax number or an insurance number: it’s purely a statistical and record-keeping identifier.
Is REGON still needed in 2026
The practical role of REGON in everyday business dealings is smaller than it used to be: on invoices, in dealings with the tax office, and with business partners, NIP is what matters most. Even so, REGON remains formally mandatory and is still required for things like:
- filing mandatory statistical reports with GUS;
- opening a business bank account (some banks still ask for REGON);
- certain administrative and official forms, where REGON is listed as an additional identifier next to NIP and the KRS/CEIDG registration number.
Tip: you can look up a REGON number for free in GUS’s online REGON database by entering a company’s NIP or name, useful for verifying a business partner alongside a KRS search.
FAQ
Does my REGON number change if I switch my tax method? No, REGON is assigned to the entity (the company), not to the chosen taxation method, so it doesn’t change when you switch between PIT scales, lump-sum tax, or CIT.
Does a company branch have its own REGON number? Yes, local units (e.g., branches) can have their own 14-digit REGON number, in addition to the main company’s 9-digit REGON.
Does a civil partnership have a REGON number? Yes, the civil partnership as such is issued its own REGON and NIP, separate from the individual REGON/NIP numbers of each partner.
Bibliography and Legal Basis
- Act of 29 June 1995 on Public Statistics: the legal basis for GUS maintaining the REGON register.
- Act of 13 October 1995 on the Rules for Recording and Identifying Taxpayers and Tax Remitters: regulates the NIP number.
Have questions about registering a business, REGON, or NIP? Book a free consultation with our team.
Author: MojaFirma team.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every situation depends on the specific contract and individual circumstances.
Got a question about this article?
Write it in a comment below. We read every one and reply.
Add comment