Have you decided to start your own business or transfer an already established business to Poland, but what legal form to choose for your activities? Then read our material on entrepreneurship in the territory of the Republic of Poland.
Entrepreneurial activity is a professional activity aimed at making a profit from the performance of work, construction, sale of goods, provision of services, carried out in an organized and ongoing manner.
Poland is currently one of the most attractive countries in Europe for doing business: stable economic growth, moderate tax rates, high purchasing power and the country's geographical location. Another of Poland's most important advantages is that it is comfortable not only for successful businessmen, but also for beginning entrepreneurs. And according to the Law "On Foreigners" of June 13, 2003, the procedure for registering a company in Poland is also available to foreign citizens. The forms of organizing business activities that foreigners can engage in are chosen by the entrepreneurs themselves, but within the limits regulated by the Law "On Freedom of Entrepreneurial Activity" of July 2, 2004.
The following forms are permitted by Polish law:
- individual entrepreneurship (self-employment);
- simple partnership;
- general partnership;
- limited partnership;
- limited joint-stock company;
- partnership company;
- limited liability company;
- joint stock company;
- branch;
- representation.
In Poland, any of the listed forms of activity may be carried out by foreign citizens who have:
- permanent residence permit;
- EU long-term resident permit;
- a temporary residence permit issued to a family member of a foreigner for family reunification;
- a residence permit for a fixed period issued on the basis of a long-term EU resident's residence permit issued by an EU Member State other than Poland, if such person justifies his/her residence in Poland;
- a temporary residence permit issued to a family member of a foreigner who has a long-term EU resident permit, issued by an EU Member State other than Poland;
- a temporary residence permit issued to begin or continue full-time studies at a university or postgraduate study in Poland;
- a temporary residence permit issued to a foreigner who is married to a Polish citizen residing in Poland;
- refugee status;
- enjoy temporary protection in Poland;
- have a valid Pole's Card.
Don't be upset if you are not on the list above. You can also start your own business, but the choice of the form of activity will be narrower:
- limited partnership;
- limited joint-stock company;
- limited liability company;
- joint stock company.
It should be clarified that it is possible to legalize your stay in Poland in connection with conducting business activities.
If you are outside Poland and do not have a visa and residence permit, but plan to establish a company in Poland, you can register your business online. After registering the company in the CEIDG, apply to the Polish consulate in your country of origin for a visa on the basis of carrying out business activities.
Foreigners residing in Poland and carrying out business activities may apply for residence in Poland for a certain period. BUT remember, the legal form of your company can only be a limited partnership or a limited joint-stock company, a joint-stock company or a limited liability company.
In addition, a foreigner who works or intends to work in a company he or she has created must prove that the activities of this company are beneficial to the Polish economy (or, for example, contribute to the growth of investment, technology transfer, introduction of useful innovations or creation of new jobs). In practice, an essential criterion for recognizing this fact is the confirmed employment of at least two Polish citizens by the foreigner in his or her company.
Advice:
Foreigners planning to start their own business in Poland can contact the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (Polską Agencją Rozwoju Przedsiębiorczości (PARP)) to receive advice or take training courses. PARP has an educational portal for small and medium-sized enterprises, which contains a system of free online training. free access to business knowledge and distance learning (e-learning) among micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (www.akademiaparp.gov.pl).
