Poland is considered an excellent springboard for the convenience of access to the European market. And therefore, this country is a tidbit for those who are ready to invest and achieve considerable financial profit. This information will be useful for those who first decided to open a business in Poland.
Naturally, it is beneficial for this country to invest in its economy, because its development directly depends on it. And therefore, the rational idea of the Polish state is understandable, its capabilities, even if it concerns simply a favorable location, should be used to the maximum. Therefore, the government has established such an order that even a person who is not its resident, that is, living in another state, in any country, can open a business in Poland. The main thing is that the business which the foreign entrepreneur is going to deal with does not run counter to Polish state legislation. No strict rules are imposed on the type of business itself, it can be absolutely anything and, as already mentioned above, not violate the constitutional order of the country.
Brainstorming First
If you were captivated by a topic such as “Business in Poland”, then do not rush to immediately pack your bags. First, decide on all points in advance exactly what business you will be doing there. Analyze which industries in Poland are successful and profitable, despite the competition. How long does such profitability last and is it stable? Are you considering emigration if you want to continue your existing business in Poland? A foreigner who does not have a Pole card (residence permit) has the opportunity to open only an IP, AO or LLC. Experienced businessmen say that it is more profitable to register an LLC, if you do not plan to move to this country for permanent residence.
Which business to open in Poland: analysis
Before starting a project, experienced entrepreneurs always analyze the market. It makes sense to open your own business when there is confidence that it will be profitable and profitable, that the start will not require crazy investments that will pay off for many years, that your business will not burn through and lose money. There are already some ready-made analytical developments from those who managed to open a business in Poland and are already successfully conducting it.
Food, Drinks, Medicines
First of all, paperwork related to food and alcoholic beverages have very good and stable profits, since this is not included in the “reusable” category. But one should take into account that the competition is high, and understandably, the hot spots for opening specializing in this institution are already almost occupied to the maximum. In addition, with regard to nutrition, the fast-food cafe business is going well, but not the opening of grocery stores, since the Poles are practical people and prefer to make bulk purchases for home cooking, which significantly save their finances. And it does not make sense for beginner businessmen to compete with large and already debugged wholesale companies. As for the sale of alcohol, this requires special permission, and you can place such points only in certain places.
The transition in Poland to a market economy has shown that pharmacies for small businesses will be profitable for decades. Selling medicines for the infrastructure of any area is an integral part. But, alas, to date, the rules of the game in this area have changed so much that pharmacy has turned from a completely successful business into a rather controversial business idea.
What is power and what is not
The sphere of leisure, tourism and entertainment is also not honey because of the very much competition and, to some extent, the seasonality of the business. Construction paperwork can slow down the need to rent equipment and the constant need to purchase materials, plus it will take time to gain a reputation in order for your company to deserve trust among already established competitors. However, beauty salons, private kindergartens, language courses, as well as hotel business in Poland can go well. The country has many visitors, take at least the same non-resident entrepreneurs, hired foreign employees and just tourists and travelers, because the maintenance of private hostels and mini-hotels justifies itself.
In any case, even with great competition, what can be beneficial or at least creatively distinguish you from others may work. Organized and established deliveries of everything necessary for the non-stop functioning of your own business and the presence of at least some target circle of clients to start with is already a very good prospect for the first step.
How does starting a business in Poland begin
So, you have decided on the type of business, analyzed the market and are full of confidence in the success of the plan. Now let us consider in more detail what steps should be taken next. An easy and convenient way out of those available is the organization of an LLC. Such a company can be established either by an already operating company or by one person. All may not be Poles. The main thing in such a company is the appointed board, which will rule over all the affairs of the company. In addition to organizing a limited liability company, you can open a subsidiary, which will become a representative of a long-standing company, or buy a ready-made business. But let us dwell in more detail on the organization of an LLC.
Opening Steps
First of all, business in Poland, when choosing to register it as an LLC, will require signing a contract with the Company. This is a document representing a notarial deed, which contains basic information about the name of the founder, address, number of shareholders, etc. Next, payment of the status capital in the amount of 5 thousand zlotys and registration in the Judicial Register are required. The entrepreneur will be assigned a NIP - personal identification number.
Next, registration with the Statistical Office is required to obtain a REGON number. The court will then send the registration applications to other funds on its own. For this, the following documents are required:
- Application for entry in the register.
- Company agreement (constituent).
- Signature samples of all notarized board members.
- Employment contracts.
- A document confirming the right to use a legal address.
- Proof of payment of the fee for the work of the court and for the announcement in the judicial and economic newsletter.
And the final stage of the company’s foundation is the opening of a bank account in Poland. For him you will need:
- certificate confirming the assignment of REGON;
- partnership agreement;
- statement from KRS.
To which business is available
Foreigners from EU countries and EFTA member countries, citizens who have obtained a residence permit, refugee status in the Polish territory or who are temporarily protected in the country, can engage in all formal types of entrepreneurial activity. The remaining non-residents can open a business in Poland only in the status of LLC, AO, Limited Partnership or Limited Partnership.
Some concepts of forms
A limited partnership is a partnership in which the property liability of one of the partners (usually the main) in relation to creditors is officially unlimited, and at least one of the partners in the business is limited.
In the form of a limited liability company, business is conducted on the basis of its own company.Regarding the creditor, as in the first case, at least 1 partner is responsible for the activities of the company without restrictions and 1 of the company is a shareholder.
Representative offices, branches and subsidiaries
Foreign companies have the right to open subsidiaries in Poland. To do this, you do not need to receive any permits, except in addition to a certificate of compliance with the principle of reciprocity, which is issued by the Polish consulate.
Also, foreign citizens can open their branches in this country on the basis of reciprocity for doing business within their own business goals. Such a non-resident must appoint a person in the branch who is authorized to represent this entity. The opened branch can begin to start operations only after entering in the National Judicial Register. In Poland, entities such as branches must keep separate financial statements.
Representative offices are opened only for the purpose of developing and advertising their activities. To open a subject of this form, registration is required in a special Register of representative offices of foreign enterprises, which is located under the Ministry of Economy and Labor. The entry is made on the basis of a statement from a foreign company. As in the case of branches, representative offices need to keep separate accounting records in Poland, while observing Polish standards and nuances.
Big plans for business. Visa
To open and conduct their own serious production, a foreign citizen needs a business visa to Poland. The documents required for its receipt are confirmation of entry into the National Court Register, a partnership agreement certified by a Polish notary and a certificate from the tax authority confirming the law-abiding payment of all tax payments and duties.
That is, first you must open and register your own business in Poland (LLC, IE or AO), having arrived there at least simply on a Schengen visa. And then, on behalf of your company, you send yourself a business invitation to Poland, which is the basis for this important visa to be issued to you by the diplomatic mission of this country. It is she who is intended for conducting entrepreneurial activities, as well as for permission to enter and stay in the country as a businessman.
What else do you need
In addition to the above documents drawn up when starting a business from the company, you will also need a completed visa application form, two photographs, both passports (civil and foreign), a medical insurance book, proof of material condition and a photocopy of the work book.
It will take at least 5-10 days and a maximum of a month to review the application. The first business visa to Poland issued is valid for 1 year. The next one will be issued for a two-year term.
Benefits of Lending
This country, among other things, does everything to support small private firms. For example, they have a very favorable credit system. Small business in Poland, as well as medium, falls under the program, when even foreigners can take a loan from a bank, and at such a low credit rate as 5% per annum. To do this, you need to have a “Pole card” (or a “stay card”). In its absence, a loan is not issued. And having a card, you can get a loan in any desired currency.
Tax advantages
Say what you like, and Poland is very convenient for doing business. You can find your niche in a wide variety of types of business. And this is not to mention the main thing, that business immigration to Poland is the basis for citizenship in this country and residence permit. By the way, it is impossible not to note that the registration of your company is quite inexpensive. And the income tax is completely nothing, considering that in Poland it is 19%, and in Germany, by the way, 30% and 21% in Estonia.
Ready business
If for some reason a citizen of another country considers the registration of a company and opening a business from scratch troublesome for himself, then he can always choose, as an option, the purchase of a ready-made business. In this case, he will not need to go through all the bureaucratic procedures. The thing is that resellers of ready-made registered and operating companies are handled by special intermediary companies, which, before offering to buy you a private enterprise, will conduct a thorough audit on it. Business in Poland implies fair conduct. In addition, this will save you from getting into such trouble as buying a company that is at the stage or already on the verge of liquidation.
Entrepreneurial paradise
The stable economic and political situation in Poland allows this country to be a territory of great opportunities. The ease and comfort of doing business in a country that is also a member of the European Union has made this country a leader in bilateral trade. High-quality production resources at an affordable rental price, a good transit location, the absence of corruption, excellent infrastructure and state support have made business in Poland attractive for people with entrepreneurial grasp.
Conclusion: to be or not to be
In general, many promising young people would love to try their hand at work abroad. But half of them are stopped by the presence of minuses, from what you can encounter. For example, will there be unforeseen policy changes regarding foreign entrepreneurs. People are also worried if tax rates will go up. And how easy it is to be able to hire local workers for your company. Emigration fears, of course, will always be present, but later to regret that there was an opportunity and did not dare to try, you can even more. In addition, Poland’s long-standing calm, loyal and anti-corruption policy gives many hope that in the future everything will be as stable here, and any changes will bring only improvement.