Poland · Company Registration
Entity types, registration process, required documents, costs, and official registries.
AI-drafted, editorially reviewed. Confirm specifics with the official authority.
Setting up from abroad
- Usual entity for foreign founders
- Sp. z o.o.
- Non-resident can be sole director
- Yes
Official registry: isap.sejm.gov.pl
The Commercial Companies Code says a management board member may "only" be a natural person with full legal capacity, and adds one further bar: a final conviction for specified offences, lapsing after five years. Nationality and residence are not conditions. Whether a given foreigner may set up the business in the first place is a separate statute.
A limited liability company is the usual vehicle and is entered in the National Court Register, either before a notary or online through the S24 system, which is quicker but locks you into a model set of articles. A sole trader registers in the separate business activity register instead. The step that decides how smooth the process is comes first and is not legal at all: filing requires a qualified electronic signature or the national trusted profile, and obtaining those depends on having a Polish identification number.
- S24 online formation is faster but restricts you to model articles of association.
- Sole traders use a separate register from companies.
- Electronic identity credentials come before the filings, not after them.
- biznes.gov.pl
Company and sole-trader registration.
Government portals
- Gov.pl — Polish Government Portal — Central portal for ministries, e-services and official announcements.
- Podatki.gov.pl — Tax Portal — PIT and CIT filing, VAT, the NIP tax number and e-Urząd Skarbowy.
- Office for Foreigners (UdSC) — Temporary and permanent residence, the residence card, and legalisation of stay.
- Biznes.gov.pl — Business Portal — Sole-trader and company registration (CEIDG/KRS) and licence requirements.