The Polish legal system offers several forms of conducting business activity, allowing you to choose the most appropriate option depending on the profile of the business, the scope of operations or the financial capabilities of the company. Companies are particularly popular among entrepreneurs from abroad (including those from outside the European Union). See what you should know about them and what type of company is the most popular among foreigners.
Companies in Poland – a short overview
Polish law distinguishes several types of companies in Poland. Each of them has a separate legal regulation. For example, a professional partnership is reserved for representatives of the independent professions such as lawyers, doctors or architects. In turn, a general partnership has a very simple organizational structure and allows tasks to be divided between two partners, which increases operational efficiency. However, its disadvantage is the liability of the partners for the company’s obligations, which can be enforced from the private assets of the partners. In the case of a civil partnership, the liability for obligations also rests with all partners and may also apply to their private property.
In a limited partnership, the partners can be both natural and legal persons. Such a company consists of at least two entities – a limited partner and a general partner. The limited partner remains a passive partner and is liable up to the amount of the limited partnership sum. A similar form of business is a limited joint-stock partnership. In this case, the minimum share capital is PLN 50,000.
A joint-stock company can be established by any number of partners. These persons can be natural persons, legal persons or organizational units without legal personality. Such companies require a greater capital commitment, and the minimum share capital of the company is PLN 100,000. The youngest form of business is a simple joint-stock company, which does not have a minimum share capital. This can be PLN 1. When it comes to liability for the company’s obligations, it is borne by the company from its assets. Shareholders are burdened with the risk of losing the funds contributed to the company.
The last form of company is a limited liability company – this is the most frequently chosen form of conducting business by foreigners in Poland. One of the reasons is the simplicity of its establishment and the limitation of the partners’ liability only to the amount of the contributions made (no personal liability for the company’s obligations).
How does a foreigner purchase shares in a company?
The process of obtaining a permit to purchase shares in a Polish company by a foreigner begins with submitting an application to the office, which should include: a detailed investment plan, information about the potential buyer and the nature of the company’s activity. Before starting the procedure, it is worth contacting legal specialists and determining whether there is a need to obtain additional permits.
Why is it worth establishing a company in Poland?
Establishing a company in Poland, especially by entrepreneurs from outside the European Union, opens up the opportunity to enter the European market. The S24 system allows you to register a limited liability company in just 24 hours – even without coming to Poland. After establishment, the company receives a Tax Identification Number and VAT number, as well as a VAT-EU number, which allows it to conduct trade with other European Union countries.
Foreigners conducting business activity in our country can count on simplified procedures for obtaining a visa or permanent residence card. Long-term business activity in Poland creates the opportunity to obtain a temporary residence permit, and in the future also a permanent residence card. Foreigners establishing a business activity in Poland can also take advantage of Polish support programs for entrepreneurs financed from EU and national funds. They offer grants, loans on preferential terms, as well as support in the field of innovation and technological development. However, can you think about establishing a company without knowing Polish? Yes, but the implementation of legal procedures can be quite complicated. If you do not want to make formal mistakes already at the stage of submitting the application through the computer system, use the help of specialists who will help you collect the necessary documents and provide support at every stage of the procedure.
For more insights and expert guidance on establishing a business, visit OnlyFinder to get the support you need to succeed!
