Poland Special Economic Zones in 2023

Healy Consultants optimizes our Clients trading business in Central Europe by incorporating their new business into one of Poland’s fourteen special economic zones (SEZ), where they benefit from generous tax holidays. Furthermore, the Poland Government distinguishes more than thirty Polish Industrial and Technology parks boasting multiple tax deductions for R&D expenses.

The Poland Special economic zones

Special zone company registration guides in Poland for foreigners

  • The Polish SEZs are designed to provide industrial, logistics, manufacturing and warehousing facilities to international Clients. SEZs are good options for setting up trading companies due to i) to their proximity to important transportation centers and ii) their one-stop shop industrial sites with modern infrastructure;
  • In general, these SEZs allow certain incentives including i) up to 50% corporate income tax ii) property tax exemption; iii) space for business development iv) assistance with obtaining public funding of up to €9 million;
  • To setup an SEZ company, our Clients must meet business requirements : i) invest at least €100,000 in their business ii) prepare a detailed business plan (including details of potential employment and business activities) and iii) potential suppliers and Clients;
  • Most notable SEZs in Poland include:
    • Katowice SEZ – Used by companies which wish to benefit from i) corporate income tax relief; ii) beneficial location towards the South of Poland and iii) a cluster of automotive companies;
    • Pomeranian SEZ – Used by companies operating in industries like high tech electronics, automotive, construction parts and pharmaceuticals. Other companies operating in biotechnology, energy and ICT sector are also welcome;
    • Krakow Technology Park SEZ – Generally, used by companies operating in the IT, chemicals, Business Process Outsourcing and automotive sectors.

The Poland Industrial Technology Parks

  • In addition, Poland also boasts more than 40 industrial technology parks to support development of research and development facilities;
  • The mission of all ITPs is to promote the following activities: i) development of specific automotive business; ii) R&D innovations in industry; and iii) promote cooperation between business and academic institutions;
  • Notable ITPs include:
    • Krakow Life Science Park – Generally used for pharmaceutical companies for developing new medical products and conducting clinical trials;
    • Bukowice Industrial Park – Generally used by companies for developing chemical products and exporting to other parts of Europe;
    • Technopark Pomerania – Generally used by companies in the Information and Communication Technology sectors.

Table of comparison between Poland special economic zones

Special zone comparisonPomeranian SEZOther SEZKrakow Life Science ParkOther ITPs
FTZs used mostly by which industry?Plastics and Metals ManufacturingManufactoring and LogisticsMedicine and InnovationScience and Innovation
Average annual warehousing space rent per 1000 sq. m.?€ 7,500€ 5,500 – €8,000€ 6,000€ 6,000
How long to set the company up?4 -6 weeks4 -6 weeks4 weeks4 weeks
Registration with which government agency?Pomeranian Management BoardFree Zone AuthorityIncubator AuthorityITP specific Authority
How long to open company bank account?4 -6 weeks4 -6 weeks4 -6 weeks4 -6 weeks
Quality of utilities?ExcellentGreatExcellentExcellent
Allowed to sign sales contracts with Poland Clients?YesYesYesYes
Allowed to invoice Poland Clients?YesYesYesYes
Agent required to conduct business outside of FTZs?NoNoNoNo
Benefits for operations outside of FTZs?NoNoNoNo
Corporate tax payable in Poland?NoNo23%23%
Corporate bank account options?Deutsche BankMillenium BankBPS BankBZW Bank Bank
Physical office space required?YesYesYesYes
Subsidies for land purchases?YesYesNoNo
Allowed to import raw materials?YesYesYesYes
Allowed to export goods?YesYesYesYes
No duties on imports and exports?YesNoNoNo
VAT exemption on imports?Yes from EEAYes from EEAYes from EEAYes from EEA
VAT exemption on products sold in Poland?Yes from EEAYes from EEAYes from EEAYes from EEA
Can be wholly foreign owned?YesYesYesYes
Can the entity hire expatriate staff in Poland?YesYesYesYes
Foreign employee quota of?NoNoNoNo
Payroll tax exemption for foreign employees?NoNoNoNo
Social security contributions exemptions for foreign employees?NoNoNoNo
Minimum number of directors?1111
Minimum number of shareholders?1111
Tax and VAT registration certificate required?YesYesYesYes
Individual shareholders allowed?YesYesYesYes
Corporate shareholders allowed?YesYesYesYes
Corporate director(s) allowed?YesYesYesYes
LLC company allowed?YesYesYesYes
Annual financial statements?YesYesYesYes

Contact us

For additional information on our SEZ company registration services in Poland, please contact our in-house country expert, Mr. Petar Chakarov, directly:
client relationship officer - Petar
  • Mr. Petar Chakarov
  • Sales & Business Development Manager
  • Contact me!