Own business in Poland

What Businesses Are in Demand in Poland?

When starting a business in Poland, focus on niches with a low entry barrier and small initial investments. It’s easiest to develop your business in Poland with the support of a close-knit community of compatriots, which facilitates personnel recruitment and client acquisition. In several industries, Ukrainian entrepreneurs successfully compete with Polish companies and, with a sufficient level of competence, can enter the European market. Let’s explore the most promising directions where the likelihood of success for a Ukrainian startup is high, and the cost of mistakes isn’t too steep.

IT Startups

Poland is interested in Ukrainian IT professionals: the Polish digital technology market is the second-largest in Eastern and Central Europe. Numerous business incubators aid in the legalization and promotion of startups; by registering with a development fund, you make small contributions and issue invoices to the organization’s requisites.
At the initial stage, you can combine your own business project with employment in branches and data centers of international corporations. By 2026, the country is set to become a global leader in data processing. Developments in machine learning and VR are actively sponsored, and the largest technopark with foreign investments is located in the Podlaskie Voivodeship.

Online Stores

E-commerce is thriving in Poland: the market size and online sales growth rates are among the highest in Europe, and this trend is projected to continue at least until 2027. A low level of regulation reduces bureaucratic burden on small businesses and simplifies the promotion of microenterprises. Registering an online store is not mandatory if monthly revenue is less than half of the national minimum wage. When developing selling websites and pages, consider the criteria that Poles use when choosing a trading platform:

• Prices lower than offline stores;
• 24/7 order acceptance;
• Unlimited decision-making time;
• Comfortable payment, delivery, and return conditions.

Construction Company

The prospects for Ukrainian developers seem uncertain: intense competition from Polish and European builders makes it challenging to cover costs for purchasing building materials, leasing, and project coordination. Investments become profitable when acquiring property for joint business, purchasing a local company, or buying a franchise. However, there’s a risk of unscrupulous partners. To minimize risks, focus on building maintenance and develop directions with steady demand:

• interior repair and design;
• apartment, office, and private house cleaning;
• window cleaning and facade work;
• electrical installation and plumbing services;
• installation of video surveillance, security, and smart systems.

Restaurant

Opening a restaurant is a good idea, but a lot depends on marketing, so you’ll need to invest significantly in advertising and promotion. Be prepared to comply with strict EU sanitary norms and obtain a license for alcohol trade. Even minor violations can result in fines that might be challenging for a novice restaurateur to handle. Finding the right location can also be a challenge, as it’s not easy to find a vibrant place with reasonable rent and adhere to regulations regarding alcohol sale points near hospitals, childcare facilities, and playgrounds.

What Businesses are Relevant in Poland for Foreigners

Due to military actions, many Ukrainians had to seek refuge in Poland, and at the moment, the number of Ukrainians with residence permits has exceeded 2.3 million people. The influx of migrants has provided access to affordable and skilled workforce. Wealthier migrants actively support the consumer market and invest their savings in the country’s economy. If you intend to achieve success, carefully assess risks, invest in relevant businesses in Poland, and consider the three most demanded directions for entrepreneurial initiatives.

Tourism Agency

Ukrainians who have connected their lives with Poland show a lively interest in Polish culture and readily use the services of Ukrainian-speaking guides. The affordable cost of tours attracts tourists from the EU. If you know foreign languages and are familiar with Polish landmarks, there’s a chance for success in the tourism business. Setting up a tour agency doesn’t require significant investments, and competing isn’t too challenging if you demonstrate creativity and offer clients original guided tours and thematic trips with interactive programs for both adults and children.

Educational Services

In areas with a concentration of Ukrainian families, there’s often a shortage of childcare facilities. Therefore, Ukrainian-language kindergartens, private schools, and early development centers won’t be idle. When registering an educational institution, requirements are imposed for hiring Polish teachers with relevant higher education. To successfully find staff, establish connections in the educational field. For adults, consulting firms and adaptation centers that assist with social integration, professional retraining, and qualification confirmation are relevant.

Medical Services

Providing medical services for compatriots is a noble cause and a demanded business. Those from Ukraine readily trust Ukrainian-speaking doctors and clinics with Ukrainian investments. Establishing a medical center requires substantial investment, but the expenses are guaranteed to pay off. High-quality services ensure a stable clientele for private clinics. Poles rely more on personal recommendations than advertisements, so building a good reputation is crucial. If you do everything conscientiously, grateful patients will bring their relatives and friends to you.

Successful Business Idea in Poland from Medinvest

The medical business has a high entry threshold. It’s not just about the initial capital but also about connections with development organizations ready to take on complex tasks. Medinvest has created a successful business in Poland and actively collaborates with Ukrainian investors to implement socially significant projects. We specialize in building multifunctional medical centers and offer Ukrainian companies the opportunity to participate in organizing a network of private clinics under a franchise.
Franchise in Poland is one of the most advantageous options: risks are limited by the size of the share participation; no additional investments are required from your side. Instead, you receive an established medical business in Poland under a well-known brand, a ready client base, and a team of top professionals.

Supervisory authorities will have no claims against you: the engineering service adheres to technological standards, and the legal department will properly formalize the agreement. The right to buy back a share with the return of investments within 5 years after the facility is handed over remains with you, without any ongoing payments. Even if circumstances turn against you, you remain in a favorable position.

Popular Answers to Questions: How to Start Your Business in Poland

Who Can Start Their Own Business in Poland?

Any adult citizen of Poland or a foreigner who legally resides in the country can register a business. Migrants who have obtained a “Polish Card” or a permanent residence permit (“residence card”) can register as individual entrepreneurs and enjoy tax benefits on par with Polish citizens. In other cases, it’s possible to establish a partnership (“spółka”) with a biometric passport valid for at least 18 months.

What Methods Can I Use to Open My Company in Poland?

To register a company, you need to submit an application to the National Court Register (KRS) personally or through an intermediary with a power of attorney, along with the founding documents. If you have an ePUP digital profile, you can submit the founding documents electronically through the S24 online service.

What Forms of Business Ownership Exist in Poland?

The legislation of the Polish Republic allows for private, group, state, and municipal ownership of economic entities. In the case of individual ownership, the founder acts as the sole owner of the business. In group ownership, the statutory capital is divided into shares. The most common form of business with multiple owners is called “spółka” (sp. z o. o), which is the Polish equivalent of an LLC. Less common are open and closed joint-stock companies (SA).

How Can I Register a Business in the National Court Register?

To register a new company in the National Court Register, a standard application form and a set of founding documents certified by a notary are submitted. Depending on the type of activity, additional documents might be required, such as a VAT payer certificate, licenses, a certificate of no criminal record, and a customs registration number.

What Is a PESEL Number?

The Personal Identification Number (PESEL) is a unique combination of digits that represents an individual’s identification number in the tax system. Migrants from Ukraine must obtain a PESEL within 30 days of entering Poland. To do this, they need to fill out a form at the municipal office. Applicants aged 12 and older also have their fingerprints taken.

What Risks and Challenges Can Arise When Starting and Running a Business in Poland?

To successfully start a business on the first attempt, confident proficiency in the Polish language and knowledge of local legislation are necessary. Incorrectly specifying types of activities, choosing the wrong tax form, and mistakes in founding documents can lead to registration refusal. If you decide to purchase an existing business in Poland, be cautious of fraud; you might be sold a phantom company, a company with outstanding debts, or a business with problematic assets.