Company Registration in Poland

Company Registration in Poland: Key Information

Within the European Union, Poland ranks sixth in terms of economy size and is one of the fastest-growing countries in Europe. Its well-developed legal and banking systems, as well as the simple company registration procedure, make the country an attractive option for starting and running a business.

To open a company, one must be familiar with local regulations. However, in Poland the registration process is relatively straightforward. Ukrainian entrepreneurs should keep in mind two key aspects when opening a new company:

• You cannot register a company without a Polish identification number (PESEL). It is issued to both Polish citizens and non-residents.
• A company in Poland can be registered in any available legal form. The choice must be made carefully, as it affects service costs, company taxation, reporting volumes, and much more. Foreigners may establish a limited partnership, joint-stock limited partnership, joint-stock company, or a limited liability company (Sp. Z.o.o.).

How Company Registration in Poland Can Be Done

There are two main ways to register a company in Poland:

• In person. You will need to travel to the country twice: to register the company and to open a bank account for depositing share capital. The statutory minimum share capital is set at 5,000 PLN — one of the lowest in the European Union.
• By proxy. This requires a power of attorney for a Polish representative, notarized copies of passports translated into Polish, as well as a bank statement.

Company registration in Poland is only available to adult founders without criminal records. A valid international passport is required.

Opening a Company in Poland: Registration Costs and Additional Expenses

The cost of opening a company in Poland depends on many factors and is always determined individually. Entrepreneurs should also keep in mind potential ongoing expenses after registration:

• from 100 PLN per month for accounting services, depending on the number of bank transactions;
• around 60 PLN for payroll calculation if employees are based in Poland;
• approximately 2,000 PLN for office rental.

Having employees and a rented office in Poland is necessary for running a fully legal business and for opening a bank account.

If you are interested in remote company registration in Poland, the cost of the online procedure will depend on the following steps:

• creating a trusted profile on Poland’s Electronic Public Services Platform (ePUAP);
• consultations with our specialists;
• payment of state fees;
• notarial certification of each founder’s signature;
• sending the document package to Poland.

Company Registration in Poland: Cost of Procedure and What Affects It

Opening an Sp. Z.o.o. in Poland involves a number of additional (non-mandatory) procedures, such as producing a company seal. If you are interested in opening a company in Poland, our specialists will calculate the exact cost of the procedure.

It is difficult to precisely estimate financial expenses related to company registration, since in some cases notarized acts are required, and notary fees may vary.

What You Should Know About Taxes When Opening a Company in Poland: Cost of Doing Business

Registering a company in Poland requires payment of the following taxes:

• The standard corporate tax is 19%. Since January 2019, it has been reduced to 9% for small companies with annual turnover not exceeding €1.2 million.
• Tax on the director’s salary.
• Social security contributions of 30–36%.

The standard VAT rate is 23%. However, there are exceptions where reduced or zero rates apply:

• 5% — for livestock, agricultural goods, as well as books and magazines in print or electronic format;
• 8% — for construction of residential buildings and certain catering services;
• 0% — for export of goods to other EU member states.

Company Registration in Poland and VAT Exemptions

In some cases, businesses are exempt from VAT. In such situations, invoices are marked with “zw” (zwolniony).

Companies with annual turnover below 200,000 PLN (around €45,000) are exempt from VAT.

However, some types of business activities are not eligible for VAT exemption. This applies to companies providing legal, consulting, or jewelry services; selling precious items or new vehicles; and certain other activities.

Business Registration in Poland: Advantages

Registering a company in Poland offers several benefits for Ukrainian entrepreneurs:

• low maintenance costs compared to other EU countries;
• low corporate tax rate for small businesses;
• a prestigious jurisdiction with favorable taxation and high business security.

It is worth noting that even online company registration in Poland can serve as grounds for obtaining permanent residency. To qualify:

• the company must have a stable annual income of over €13,000 (exact requirements depend on the region);
• the company must employ at least 2 Polish citizens on a full-time, indefinite basis.

How to Register a Company in Poland

Ukrainian entrepreneurs have several options for setting up a company in Poland. Self-registration is very complex and requires knowledge of many laws and regulations. That’s why we offer comprehensive services for company registration in Poland either online or by proxy. Cooperation with us is structured in stages, making the entire process convenient and clear for any entrepreneur:

• Choosing a name. It is best to prepare several options to increase the chances of finding an available one in the Register.
• Preparing documents. Most likely, notarized copies of participants’ identity documents will be required. The complete package is determined individually depending on the chosen legal form.
• Filling out registration forms. Accuracy is crucial, otherwise registration may be denied.
• Submitting documents to the Register. If the package meets requirements, the company’s data is entered into the Register. Confirmation of successful registration appears in official sources. At this point, statutory documents can be printed and business activities can commence.

If you are interested in company registration in Poland, we calculate service costs individually for each client, taking into account all mandatory payments, your company’s type of activity, and specific operations. 

If you need additional assistance with opening a company in Poland, contact our specialists at any time. To begin cooperation, fill out the online application and wait for a specialist’s call shortly.