his article is for entrepreneurs who have already decided to open a business in Poland. Price, terms, and stages are the main aspects that interest them. We will explain the options available and detail the steps that a foreigner must take to register a business in Poland.
We will focus on the most popular company registration format for non-residents – in Polish, it is called spółka z o.o.(Spółka z ograniczoną odpowiedzialnością), or what we commonly refer to as a Limited Liability Company (LLC).
Polish law allows for company registration online, either by oneself or through a notary. Most entrepreneurs choose the first option because it is convenient, inexpensive, and much faster. Below, we will explain each method.
Starting a Business in Poland – What to Do First
Before registering a company in Poland, it is important to consider all the details and nuances to start the business correctly and operate it more effectively. You need to think about the following:
- The legal address of the company
- The number of co-founders and their shares
- The types of activities the company will engage in (there can be no more than 10)
- The company’s share capital
- The director of your spółka z o.o. (Prezes zarządu in Polish)
- The governing body (who will sign documents and represent the company in government agencies and courts)
- Whether the founders can sell their shares without unanimous agreement
What else you need to consider before registration is detailed here.
Registering a Business in Poland Through a Notary
When registering through a notary, personal attendance is not required (if you have a notarized power of attorney). You need to:
- Have a valid foreign passport
- Decide on the types of business activities for the company
- Provide the details of all founders
- Prepare the company’s articles of association
- Determine the share capital (at least 5,000 PLN)
With this method, it is possible to personalize the company’s articles of association for each owner (it is not possible to make additional changes online).
From our experience, registering a company in Poland through a notary is less popular. It is expensive and time-consuming. The cost ranges from €700 to €1200, and the process takes about 1 month. Most entrepreneurs choose the remote method, which we will explain in detail next.
Registering a Business in Poland Online
More than 90% of business owners prefer the more cost-effective option – registering a company online in Poland, followed by a visit to open a bank account.
To register a spółka online, all board members need to create an ePUAP profile (for this, a PESEL – personal identification number – is required) or obtain a qualified electronic signature (kwalifikowany podpis elektroniczny).
Obtaining a PESEL and ePUAP Profile
You can obtain a PESEL based on:
- Polish residence registration
- Employment contract
- Opening of a spółka
In most cases, the PESEL number can be obtained immediately. However, due to language barriers, unfamiliarity with government procedures, and often long queues, it is better to consult specialists who have experience in obtaining a PESEL. Additionally, to get a PESEL, you must be in Poland.
You can create an ePUAP profile on this website.
With PESEL, you can log in to the Profil Zaufany ePUAP system. Verification of identity takes 14 days (you need to visit one of the government institutions or consulates).
Obtaining an Electronic Signature
An electronic signature (ECS) can be obtained from the official registry of certified legal entities, Nccert.pl, which provides digital keys. You need to choose a company, fill out an application, visit at the appointed time, confirm your identity, and obtain the digital key.
The cost for one person for the ECS is €80-150.
Steps for Opening a Business in Poland Online
Stage One – After obtaining the ability to sign documents electronically, you need to register with the KRS (Krajowy Rejestr Sądowy), which is the national court register of enterprises. Log in to the website and register the spółka in the S24 system.
Stage Two – Pay the state fee for submitting the application, which costs 350 PLN. After payment, all documents are sent for review by the court. It’s important not to forget the necessary documents, without which registration is impossible:
- A statement from the company founder about the address for receiving correspondence
- A statement from all co-founders about making payments for the initial share capital
- A notification confirming the non-resident status in Poland
- A list of all shareholders of the spółka
- The company’s articles of association
Stage Three – The confirmation of the company’s registration in Poland is sent within a week if all documents were submitted correctly, and there are no additional questions from the court. Afterward, you can obtain the KRS number and download an extract from it. The company will also receive a taxpayer identification number (NIP) and a statistical number in the National Economy Register (REGON).
Stage Four – Open a bank account in a Polish bank (this can only be done in person). The process takes 1-2 days. You can read more about this here.
Stage Five – Register with the social security fund, statistical office, tax office, and conclude a contract with an accountant.
The cost of an accountant’s services per month ranges from €100 to €150 (depending on the volume of documents).
