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Growing EU economy with competitive tax rates and tech sector
Region
EASTERN EUROPE
Corporate Tax
19%
Setup Time
4 weeks
Currency
PLN
Poland, among the EU's largest economies, combines manufacturing capacity with competitive costs. The country's efficient company registration and skilled workforce support substantial business setup for European operations.
With a population of 38 million, Poland offers Central European living with growing prosperity. Polish is the official language, with English common among younger professionals. The climate features cold winters and warm summers.
Healthcare is available through mandatory insurance, with quality private options. Safety is excellent. The cost of living is moderate, lower than Western Europe.
The historical cities, cultural offerings, and improving infrastructure attract growing international presence.
Corporate tax rate stands at 19% (9% for smaller companies). Personal income tax reaches 32% on higher incomes. VAT applies at 23% standard rate.
Poland uses the zloty, not the Euro. EU membership provides full single market access. Manufacturing, particularly automotive, is significant. The tech sector has grown substantially.
Company registration through the National Court Register (KRS) is established. The sp. z o.o. (limited liability company) is the standard vehicle. Foreign ownership faces no EU restrictions.
Company formation takes approximately 1-2 weeks with notarial requirements. Minimum capital is PLN 5,000. At least one director is required. Annual compliance includes financial statement filing.
Poland regulates virtual asset service providers under AML frameworks through the Chamber of Tax Administration. Registration is required for crypto businesses.
The Ministry of Finance regulates gambling. Online gambling licensing exists but with significant restrictions and high taxes. The regulatory environment has been considered challenging.
The zloty creates currency consideration for Eurozone operations. Labor costs have risen though remain competitive. Language capability helps for local market engagement.
Banking access is excellent through Polish and EU banks. Professional services are well-developed.
Poland suits manufacturing, shared services, and businesses seeking substantial EU market with competitive costs for their business setup.
Local: Sp. z o.o.
Local: S.A.
Local: Oddział
| Corporate Tax Rate | 19% |
| Personal Income Tax Rate | 32% |
| VAT / Sales Tax | 23% |
| Capital Gains Tax | 19% |
| Withholding Tax | 19% |
| Reduced Corporate Tax Available | Yes |
| Non-Resident Withholding Exempt | No |
| Tax Treaty Network | Yes |
| Banking Access | HIGH |
| Financial Privacy | LOW |
| Currency Controls | NONE |
| Local Bank Account Required | No |
| Non-Resident Bank Account Allowed | Yes |
| Physical Presence for Banking | Yes |
| Banks Restrictive (High Risk) | No |
| AML Officer Required | No |
| MLRO Required | No |
| Compliance Officer Required | No |
| Data Protection Officer Required | No |
| Bookkeeping Frequency | Annual |
| Local Bookkeeping Required | Yes |
| Mandatory Audit | No |
| License Required | Yes |
| Local Director Required | No |
| Local AML Director Required | Yes |
| Local Legal Address Required | Yes |
| Local Physical Office Required | Yes |
| Required Share Capital | $125,000 |
| Capital Maintained in Account | Yes |
| Compliance Program Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule Compliance | EU Travel Rule (MiCA compliant) |
| Business Plan Required | Comprehensive business plan with 3-year projections, operational model, risk assessment required |
| Personnel Required | At least one EU/EEA resident director, AML Officer, compliance personnel with fit and proper requirements |
| Insurance Required | No |
| Remote Incorporation Possible | Yes |
| 100% Foreign Ownership | Yes |
| Min. Shareholders | 1 |
| Min. Directors | 1 |
| Shareholder/Director Same Person | Yes |
| Registry Public | Yes |
| Registry Access | ESMA CASP Register for licensed entities |
| Renewal Period | Annual |
| Accounting Filing Required | Yes |
| Accounting Filing Frequency | Annual |
| Financial Statement Required | Yes |
| Financial Statement Frequency | Annual |
| Accounting Audit Mandatory | No |
| Compliance Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Technical Audit Mandatory | No |
| Corporate Income Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Dividend Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Capital Gains Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Territorial Tax Regime | No |
| VAT Applicable | Yes |
| Regulators | Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF - Komisja Nadzoru Finansowego) |
| Licensing Fee | $0 |
| Licensing Fee Details | CASP licensing fees to be determined by KNF once implementing legislation is finalized. Previously VASP registration was low cost. |
| Permitted Business Models | Crypto exchanges, custody services, trading platforms, crypto-to-fiat and fiat-to-crypto conversion, wallet services |
| Permitted Activities | Exchange services, custody and administration, transfer services, trading, advisory services, portfolio management |
| Restricted Activities | DeFi lending was previously banned but expected to be permitted under MiCA with proper license |
| Cross-Border Service Allowed | Yes |
| Physical Inspection Required | No |
| Derivatives Allowed | Yes |
| RWA Tokenization Allowed | Yes |
| App Store Listing Allowed | Yes |
| Crypto Custody Allowed | Yes |
| License Required | Yes |
| Local Director Required | Yes |
| Local AML Director Required | Yes |
| Local Legal Address Required | Yes |
| Local Physical Office Required | Yes |
| Required Share Capital | $4,000,000 |
| Capital Maintained in Account | Yes |
| Compliance Program Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule Compliance | N/A |
| Business Plan Required | Detailed business plan, game rules, age verification procedures, technical specifications required |
| Personnel Required | Qualified management, AML officer, technical staff |
| Insurance Required | No |
| Remote Incorporation Possible | No |
| 100% Foreign Ownership | No |
| Min. Shareholders | 1 |
| Min. Directors | 1 |
| Shareholder/Director Same Person | Yes |
| Registry Public | Yes |
| Registry Access | Ministry of Finance gambling register |
| Renewal Period | 6 years for casinos and betting |
| Accounting Filing Required | Yes |
| Accounting Filing Frequency | Annual |
| Financial Statement Required | Yes |
| Financial Statement Frequency | Annual |
| Accounting Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Compliance Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Technical Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Corporate Income Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Dividend Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Capital Gains Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Territorial Tax Regime | No |
| VAT Applicable | No |
| Regulators | Ministry of Finance - Department for Gambling Market and Gambling Tax Regulation |
| Licensing Fee | $32,000 |
| Licensing Fee Details | Varies by license type: Casino concession fee, betting permit fees. Application fee approximately PLN 32,000 for betting licenses. |
| Permitted Business Models | Land-based casinos, sports betting (B2C), lotteries (state monopoly) |
| Permitted Activities | Sports betting (mutual betting) for private operators. Casinos with concession. Online casinos are state monopoly (Totalizator Sportowy). |
| Restricted Activities | Online casino and slot machine games are state monopoly. Private online casinos prohibited. Poker regulated separately. |
| Cross-Border Service Allowed | No |
| Physical Inspection Required | Yes |
| Player Fund Segregation | Yes |
| B2B/B2C Separate Requirements | Yes |
| License Required | Yes |
| Local Director Required | Yes |
| Local AML Director Required | Yes |
| Local Legal Address Required | Yes |
| Local Physical Office Required | Yes |
| Required Share Capital | $125,000 |
| Capital Maintained in Account | Yes |
| Compliance Program Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule Compliance | FATF compliant / EU PSD2 |
| Business Plan Required | 3-year comprehensive business plan with financial projections, budget forecasts, operational plans, risk management framework |
| Personnel Required | At least 2 board members (EU resident recommended), compliance officer, AML officer, qualified management team |
| Insurance Required | Yes |
| Insurance Details | Civil liability insurance or bank guarantee required based on scope of services |
| Remote Incorporation Possible | No |
| 100% Foreign Ownership | Yes |
| Min. Shareholders | 1 |
| Min. Directors | 2 |
| Shareholder/Director Same Person | Yes |
| Registry Public | Yes |
| Registry Access | KNF licensed entities register |
| Renewal Period | Annual |
| Accounting Filing Required | Yes |
| Accounting Filing Frequency | Annual |
| Financial Statement Required | Yes |
| Financial Statement Frequency | Annual |
| Accounting Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Compliance Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Technical Audit Mandatory | No |
| Corporate Income Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Dividend Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Capital Gains Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Territorial Tax Regime | No |
| VAT Applicable | Yes |
| Regulators | Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF) and National Bank of Poland (NBP) |
| Licensing Fee | $4,500 |
| Licensing Fee Details | Application fee varies by license type. EMI license: EUR 350,000 minimum capital. National Payment Institution: up to EUR 125,000 capital. Small Payment Institution: no minimum capital but transaction limits apply. |
| Permitted Business Models | Electronic Money Institution (EMI), National Payment Institution (NPI), Small Payment Institution (SPI) |
| Permitted Activities | E-money issuance, payment accounts, money transfers, card issuing, acquiring, FX services, PIS, AIS |
| Restricted Activities | Banking services without full banking license. EMI cannot issue e-money outside Poland unless licensed as domestic EMI. |
| Cross-Border Service Allowed | Yes |
| Physical Inspection Required | Yes |