Yes, a foreigner can run a business in Poland, although the available forms depend on their citizenship and the type of residence permit they hold.
Citizens of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland can start a business on the same terms as Polish citizens.
This means full freedom to choose any legal form – from sole proprietorship, to civil or registered partnerships, up to capital companies, such as a limited liability company (sp. z o.o.) or a simple joint-stock company (prosta spółka akcyjna).
For citizens of countries outside the EU, the options depend on the type of residence permit they have.
If the foreigner holds a residence card or another permit that explicitly allows them to work or run a business in Poland, they can choose from the same forms of business as Polish or EU citizens – including sole proprietorship.
However, persons who do not hold an appropriate residence title may only operate a business in the form of capital companies, such as a limited liability company (sp. z o.o.).
Starting and running a business in Poland involves several obligations: tax registration, selecting a form of taxation, registration with ZUS (Social Insurance Institution), accounting and bookkeeping, and compliance with Polish tax and accounting regulations.
For foreigners unfamiliar with local rules, it is especially important to ensure that the registration process and subsequent tax settlements are handled correctly to avoid formal errors and tax issues.
getsix® offers comprehensive support for foreigners who want to start and run a business in Poland – from selecting the optimal legal structure, preparing documents and registering the company, to full accounting, tax and HR & payroll services: https://getsix.eu/contact/.
