Register a company in Poland as a foreigner – key questions and answers

Foreign investors can generally establish a Polish limited liability company or other capital company without residing in Poland, but the rules for sole proprietorships depend on nationality and residence status. New businesses registered in Poland must also comply with PKD 2025 and e-Delivery requirements. Company ownership itself does not grant residence or work rights in Poland, and separate immigration rules may apply to foreign management board members.

Interest in Poland as a place to conduct business among foreign investors has been steadily growing. This is driven not only by favourable economic conditions and relatively low operating costs but also by its central location in Europe and increasingly business-friendly administration. It is no surprise that more and more foreigners decide to register a company in Poland.

Before entering the Polish market, it is worth familiarising yourself with the basic rules – who can set up a company, what the formal requirements are, and how the entire process works. Below, we present the most common questions we encounter in practice, along with clear answers based on current regulations and the experience of our specialists.

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Q&A – most frequently asked questions about registering a company in Poland as a foreigner

Who can register a company in Poland?

Any foreigner – regardless of citizenship – may establish a limited liability company (sp. z o.o.), simple joint-stock company (P.S.A.), joint-stock company (S.A.), limited partnership (sp.k.) or limited joint-stock partnership (S.K.A.) in Poland.

Citizens of EU/EEA countries, Switzerland and the United States may generally conduct business in Poland on the same terms as Polish citizens. For nationals of other countries, the right to operate a sole proprietorship, general partnership or professional partnership depends on holding a qualifying residence status or another statutory entitlement under Polish law.

Does a foreigner need a residence permit to conduct business in Poland?

Establishing or owning a Polish company does not in itself require the foreign shareholder to reside in Poland. However, ownership of a company should be distinguished from the right to stay and perform management functions in Poland. A third-country national who physically performs management duties in Poland must have a lawful basis of stay and, depending on their status and the duration of their activity, may also require work authorisation.

Under the rules in force since 1 June 2025, a work permit for specified corporate functions is generally not required where the stay connected with that function does not exceed a total of six months in any consecutive 12-month period.

What legal forms of business are available for foreigners?

Foreigners can conduct business activity in Poland under several legal forms, depending on their citizenship and residence status. In practice, the most commonly chosen form by foreigners is the limited liability company (sp. z o.o.).

Other available forms include:

• Simple joint-stock company (P.S.A.) – attractive for startups,
• Joint-stock company (S.A.) – typically for large-scale projects,
• Limited partnership (sp.k.) / limited joint-stock partnership (S.K.A.) – often used in holding structures,
• Branch of a foreign enterprise – provided that international agreements allow it.

On the other hand, forms such as sole proprietorship, general partnership, or professional partnership are reserved for citizens of the EU, EFTA, Switzerland, the USA – or for foreigners holding an appropriate residence title, such as a permanent residence permit.

Do foreigners need to be in Poland to register a company?

No. In many cases, a foreign investor can complete the company registration process in Poland without being physically present in the country. The available procedure depends on the chosen legal form and the way in which the company’s constitutional documents are executed.

The S24 system currently supports the registration of a limited liability company (sp. z o.o.), general partnership, limited partnership and simple joint-stock company (P.S.A.). A joint-stock company (S.A.) is not formed through S24; its registration application is submitted electronically through the Court Registers Portal (PRS).

Online registration of a sole proprietorship requires an electronic means of identification and signature accepted by the Polish registration system. A Trusted Profile (Profil Zaufany) requires a Polish PESEL number, while other electronic signature methods may also be available depending on the procedure.

From 1 November 2026, applications to start a sole proprietorship in the Central Electronic Register and Information on Economic Activity (CEIDG) will be submitted electronically only.

getsix® offers comprehensive support for foreigners – from document preparation to full representation during the entire registration process, including remote procedures.

What is needed to register a company in Poland?

In order for a foreigner to register a company in Poland, the following documents and information are required:

• passport or other required identification document, with a certified Polish translation where required,
• details of shareholders and management board members,
• articles of association – notarised or electronic (via S24),
• registered office address in Poland,
• appropriate Polish Classification of Activities 2025 (PKD 2025) codes,
• information required to create or register the company’s e-Delivery (e-Doręczenia) address,
• declaration on the contribution of share capital (minimum PLN 5,000 for an sp. z o.o.),
• consents of management board members and the list of shareholders,
• certified Polish translations of foreign-language documents where required for the relevant registration procedure,
• power of attorney – if the registration is carried out by another person.

Depending on the registration method and the foreigner’s specific circumstances, additional attachments may be required – such as an electronic signature, documents confirming the registered office, or payment of official fees.

Can a foreigner register a single-member company?

Yes – a foreigner can conduct business in the form of a single-member entity, but the conditions depend on the chosen legal form and citizenship.

A sole proprietorship (JDG) can be registered by individuals holding citizenship of an EU or EFTA country, the USA, Switzerland – or by foreigners holding a valid residence permit in Poland.

A single-member capital company (e.g. a limited liability company or simple joint-stock company) can be registered by any foreigner – including those from outside the EU.

A single-member limited liability company is subject to additional compliance consequences under Polish law. In particular, the sole shareholder of a single-member sp. z o.o. is treated as a person conducting non-agricultural activity for Polish social-security purposes.

In addition, where the sole shareholder is also the sole management board member, legal transactions between that shareholder and the company generally require the form of a notarial deed, subject to statutory exceptions.

What does the company registration process in Poland look like?

Regardless of the chosen legal form – whether a limited liability company, simple joint-stock company, limited partnership, or general partnership – the registration process in Poland includes the following steps:

1. Preparation of key information and decisions (legal form, shareholders, governing bodies, registered office, selection of the company name, registered office, business activities under the Polish Classification of Activities 2025 (PKD 2025), shareholders and management structure).
2. Execution of the articles of association – either before a notary or online via the S24 system.
3. Contribution of the required capital or other contributions in accordance with the rules applicable to the chosen legal form and registration route.
4. Appointment of the management board and, if applicable, other bodies.
5. Submission of the registration application to the National Court Register (KRS), together with the information required to create or register the company’s e-Delivery (e-Doręczenia) address.
6. Automatic assignment of the Tax Identification Number (NIP) and Statistical Number (REGON), followed by the submission of supplementary NIP-8 data where required and, for entities subject to the obligation, notification of beneficial owners to the Central Register of Beneficial Owners (CRBR) within 14 days of KRS registration.
7. (if applicable) Registration with ZUS (social security) and for VAT.

The entire process can take from a few days to several weeks – depending on the registration method, company form, and completeness of the documentation.

How much does it cost to register a company in Poland?

The cost of registering a company in Poland depends on the chosen legal form, the scale of operations, and the scope of services required. It is recommended to discuss the details individually with a consultant.

The standard fees related to company registration include:

• PLN 500 – standard court fee for registration in the National Court Register (KRS), or PLN 250 for eligible companies registered using an S24 agreement template,
• additional costs may include notarial fees, certified translations, a qualified electronic signature, a PLN 17 stamp duty on a power of attorney where applicable, and professional advisory or representation fees.

Depending on the legal form and circumstances, the incorporation of a company may also trigger Polish tax on civil law transactions (PCC), for which the statutory rate applicable to a company agreement is generally 0.5%.

Does registering a company entitle a foreigner to reside in Poland?

No – registering or owning a company does not automatically entitle a foreigner to reside in Poland. A foreign entrepreneur who wishes to live and carry out business activities in Poland must have a lawful basis of stay, such as an appropriate national visa or residence permit.

However, owning and actively developing a business in Poland may provide a basis for applying for:

• a temporary residence permit for business activity, provided the statutory conditions are met. These may include specified income or employment criteria or, alternatively, evidence that the business has sufficient resources and is taking concrete steps to meet those criteria in the future, for example through investment, innovation or job creation,
• a national type D visa, where the statutory conditions applicable to the specific purpose of stay are met.

In all cases, the right to stay in Poland is assessed separately from company ownership and depends on the individual circumstances of the foreign entrepreneur. It is therefore advisable to verify the applicable immigration requirements before applying for legalisation of stay.

How long does the registration process take?

• Applications for companies formed using an agreement template in the S24 system should, by law, be examined by the registry court within one day of submission,
• Other applications for registration in the National Court Register (KRS) should generally be examined within seven days of submission,
• Actual completion may take longer if the court identifies formal deficiencies, requests additional documents or if further proceedings are required.

The time required to obtain a qualified electronic signature depends on the certificate provider, the applicant’s country of residence and the identity verification procedure.

For foreign investors, additional time may also be required to prepare certified Polish translations, obtain an apostille or legalisation for foreign documents where necessary, and issue powers of attorney. As a result, the entire process – from preparing the documentation to registration in the KRS – may take from several days to several weeks, depending on the chosen registration route and the complexity of the case.

Can a foreigner act as a legal representative (proxy)?

Yes. Both Polish citizens and foreigners may act as representatives during the company registration process in Poland. A representative may handle many stages of the process on behalf of the investor, including preparing documents and submitting applications to the National Court Register (KRS), where permitted by the applicable procedural rules.

However, not every statutory obligation can be delegated. In particular, a notification to the Central Register of Beneficial Owners (CRBR) must be submitted by a person legally authorised to represent the entity.

The required form of the power of attorney depends on the specific legal act or filing concerned. Foreign-language documents may require a certified Polish translation, while documents issued abroad may also require an apostille or legalisation, depending on their type and country of origin.

getsix® regularly represents international clients as an authorised proxy – ensuring full compliance with the law and smooth communication with Polish authorities.

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Registering a company in Poland as a foreigner is entirely possible – and increasingly accessible thanks to digitalisation. However, proper preparation, knowledge of regulations, and efficient handling of formalities are essential.

Would you like peace of mind that your company will be registered correctly, promptly, and in line with Polish law? Contact us. getsix® offers end-to-end company registration services in Poland – in three languages, with full legal, accounting and administrative support.

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