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Poland is becoming an increasingly attractive market for foreign entrepreneurs, and sole proprietorship (JDG) is the simplest and most popular legal form chosen by foreigners to start their business. Are you wondering where to start with the formalities and whether you have the right to open your own business in Poland? In this article, we will guide you through the entire process – learn the details that will allow you to legally and efficiently start a business in Poland.
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Sign the contract online in a few minutes →Can a foreigner set up a sole proprietorship in Poland?
Yes, it is possible for foreigners to conduct business in Poland, but the range of legal forms available depends primarily on their citizenship and residence status:
1. Citizens of the EU, EEA, and Switzerland
If you are a citizen of a European Union or European Economic Area member state, the matter is straightforward. You have the right to set up a sole proprietorship without additional permits. The process of registering and operating a company for a foreigner is identical to that for Polish citizens.
2. Citizens of countries outside the EU (third countries)
In this case , foreign nationals may conduct business activity in the form of a sole proprietorship provided they have the appropriate residence permit. You can register a company if you have, among other things:
- permanent residence permit or long-term EU resident status;
- temporary residence permit issued for a specific purpose (e.g., family reunification, full-time studies, or as part of the Poland. Business Harbour program);
- the important Polish Card;
- temporary protection (this applies, for example, to many Ukrainian citizens who arrived after February 24, 2022).
Important: if you do not have any of the above rights, you can still run a business in Poland, but you are usually limited to the form of a capital company (e.g., establishing a limited liability company), which does not require a special residence status from the partners.
Conditions for establishing a sole proprietorship by a foreigner
In order to establish a business in Poland, you must prepare:
- PESEL number – necessary for identification in the CEIDG system. If you are an EU citizen, Biznes Spot you obtain it even remotely, while non-EU citizens can only obtain a PESEL number during a personal visit to the Population Registration Office;
- Electronic signature – you have two options to choose from:
- qualified electronic signature implemented by Biznes Spot consultants Biznes Spot
- trusted profile – this is a free tool that allows you to sign an application for online business registration;
- Registration address – you must have legal title to the premises (e.g., a lease agreement or a contract with a virtual office).
Staying in Poland and the possibility of conducting business activities
The right to register a sole proprietorship for a foreigner depends directly on the nature of their residence permit. While EU citizens enjoy complete freedom, entrepreneurs from third countries must have a specific legal status in order to effectively register a company in CEIDG.
The right to establish a sole proprietorship on the same terms as Polish citizens is granted to persons who:
- permanent residence permit or long-term EU resident status;
- temporary residence permit issued on the basis of full-time studies/doctoral studies, marriage to a Polish citizen, family reunification (Article 159(1) of the Act on Foreigners), continuation of already registered business activity.
How to set up a sole proprietorship in Poland step by step?
To register a sole proprietorship in Poland for a foreigner, you must complete the CEIDG-1 application. If you have a PESEL number and an electronic signature, you can do this online at biznes.gov.pl.
Registration procedure in 5 steps:
- Data preparation – selection of a company name (must include first and last name), PKD codes (types of activity), and address for registration;
- Choice of taxation form (flat rate/tax scale/linear tax);
- Submitting the CEIDG-1 application – the system will automatically register the company with the Tax Office (NIP) and the Statistical Office (REGON);
- Registration with the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) – you can do this immediately in the CEIDG-1 application or at a later stage. Within 7 days of registration, you must submit an insurance declaration (ZUA or ZZA form). It is worth remembering about the Start-up Relief, thanks to which you can pay only health insurance contributions for the first 6 months.
- Business account – open one at any bank to separate your personal finances from your business finances.
Documents required for registering a sole proprietorship by a foreigner
The documents required for a foreigner to set up a business in Poland include:
- valid identity document;
- document confirming residence status (original residence card, decision granting refugee status, or other document entitling the holder to establish a sole proprietorship);
- PESEL number (required for online registration);
- legal title to the premises (e.g., lease agreement in a virtual office).
All foreign documents required for company registration must be translated into Polish by a certified translator.
Virtual office – support for foreigners in setting up a business
For many foreigners, the biggest challenge is not the formalities themselves, but the lack of a permanent address or the landlord's consent to register a business. In such cases, a convenient solution is a a virtual office for foreigners, which eliminates the accommodation barrier and greatly simplifies the process of setting up a company in Poland.
As part of our services Biznes Spot , you gain support in key areas:
- prestigious address for company registration;
- correspondence handling – you don't have to worry about receiving important letters from government agencies;
- professional assistance in setting up a business;
- administrative and substantive support – we help you understand the complexities of Polish bureaucracy, making the registration of a sole proprietorship a quick and hassle-free process.
Virtual office – an address that builds trust
Get a professional address in the center of Warsaw and full correspondence service. Check out our packages and choose a location that suits your business.
Sign the contract online in a few minutes →Summary – what does a foreigner need to know before starting a business in Poland?
To successfully start a business in Poland, you must meet these key conditions: have the appropriate residence permit (or EU citizenship), a PESEL number, and an address for registration. A sole proprietorship is the fastest way to start your own business, provided that you correctly fill out the application in CEIDG and register with ZUS.
Remember: if you don't have a PESEL number, electronic signature, or business address, you don't have to deal with it yourself. The Biznes Spot team will help you obtain all the necessary documents and a prestigious address remotely. This will make running a business in Poland easy and fully legal from day one.
