Since the beginning of the war, around 3 million people have moved to Poland and stayed. Many of them are not planning to rely on subsidies and are eager to develop themselves in this country by starting a business. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of five business ideas in Poland for Ukrainians. These are either businesses that have already been launched with our assistance or those that are profitable to start in 2023.
Niche #1: E-commerce – Online Sales
There are twice as many online stores in Poland as in Ukraine. The internet penetration rate among Poles is also 12-15% higher, as is the overall volume of e-commerce in both countries. This indicates that the Polish market is more developed, making it an attractive opportunity for Ukrainian entrepreneurs.
For example, one can sell Chinese goods by ordering them online or reselling them locally. In Warsaw, there is a large market specializing in such products, similar to the “7th Kilometer” market in Odesa. Everything imported into Poland can be found in this hub, which serves as a center for Chinese goods. Here, you can study the market and observe which products are in demand.
Popular wholesale imports include:
- Children’s toys
- Scooters
- Clothing and footwear
- Bags and suitcases
- Korean cosmetics
- Kitchen and household items
Other trending categories include books, furniture, and household appliances. To sell products, you can use your own website with Google Shopping, the Allegro marketplace, or classified ad platforms. This option is ideal for those with a limited startup budget, as you can begin without investing in inventory, rental space, or other fixed costs.
Niche #2: Construction and Renovation Services
This is a great opportunity for fathers of large families or those with military exemption certificates who were able to leave Ukraine. We have successfully helped entrepreneurs establish businesses in this sector with promising results. Poland continues to develop, and at the moment, reasonable loans with low interest rates are still available.
If you lack the necessary skills, you can acquire them quickly. For example, learning how to plaster walls takes just 1-2 months. You could start by working for a company and later launch your own small business in Poland to earn more, have a flexible schedule, and even employ friends or family members.
Moreover, all legal pathways are now open. Previously, Ukrainians without a permanent residence card (Karta Stałego Pobytu) or EU residency could only register a Spółka (Spółka z o.o. or Spółka Akcyjna). However, Ukrainian refugees in Poland can now establish a sole proprietorship (Jednoosobowa działalność gospodarcza), which is an equivalent of Ukraine’s FOP. Taxes for this type of business are not significantly different from those in Ukraine.
If you’re unsure which business structure to choose, check out our video on the topic:
Niche #3: Beauty Services
This can be any area in which you have expertise, such as eyelash extensions, manicure and pedicure, or hairdressing. In terms of ease of launch and budget, this is one of the simplest options. The main expenses include registering a business, purchasing tools, and renting a space.
If you don’t have the necessary skills, you can learn them. Poland has a well-developed education system, including both primary and supplementary education. There are many qualification courses, workshops, and masterclasses available to help you gain expertise.
You can also act as a middleman in the beauty industry—selling services while outsourcing the work to others. For example, you could market interior design services in Poland while having specialists provide them remotely.
Niche #4: Ukrainian-Made Goods
Currently, legislative processes are underway to allow Ukrainian products to enter Poland without import duties, although this has not yet been fully implemented. However, the opportunity already exists. A clear trend is emerging: the more Polish products appear on Ukrainian shelves, the more Ukrainian products are being introduced in Poland. This is a form of market compensation—for example, as salt became scarce in Ukraine, Polish salt appeared; in Poland, where sunflower oil was lacking, Ukrainian brands started filling the gap.
Ukrainian products are already available in major Polish stores, such as:
- Auchan – Sweets, canned goods, fish.
- Ukraińskie Słodycze – Wafers, pralines, cookies.
- Ukrainoczka – Traditional Ukrainian foods like salo, meat, cheese, sausages, sauces, pasta, caviar, seafood (including dried fish), dumplings, alcohol, sweets, snacks, and coffee.
- Kuchnie Świata – “Veres” sauces and “Galicia” juices.
The idea is simple: find a product that is either completely unavailable in Poland or can compete with local products in terms of price and quality. Then, plan logistics and launch your business.
This concept isn’t limited to food—it also applies to clothing, components, plastics, polycarbonate, fertilizers, and other industrial or consumer goods.
Niche #5: Employment Across the EU
Getting hired first is a great way to gain industry experience, improve your language skills, and prepare for launching your own business. If you’re unsure about starting a business right away, don’t rush. Employment can give you time to observe the market, understand how businesses operate in Poland, and adapt to European business culture.
The European business mindset differs from that in Ukraine—negotiation styles, sales tactics, and contract agreements all follow different rules. By working for a company first, you can learn these nuances before stepping into entrepreneurship.
If none of the business ideas mentioned suit you, consider exploring other potential business directions in Poland, including those that might not be as profitable for Ukrainian entrepreneurs.
