Poland Summary Guide

Living and Doing Business in Poland

Poland is bordered by Germany to the west and also has boundaries with Belarus, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Russia, Slovakia and the Ukraine. The Baltic Sea lies on the north coast. The population was estimated at 38m in 2009 and the capital city Warsaw is a major transport hub and tourist destination.

In keeping with most developing countries, there has been an explosion in the mobile telecommunications sector in the past decade or so – in 2008, there were 44m mobile phones in Poland, compared to 10.3m landlines. Liberalisation of the Polish telecoms market was completed in 2003, although the former state-owned provider, Telekomunikacja Polska still dominates the fixed line market. Though coverage of telephone lines is generally good, there are still some areas in the east of the country where services are restricted due to poor or unavailable infrastructure. Coverage for cellular phones (mobiles) can also be patchy in some of the more remote areas of the country.

Internet access in Poland is fairly expensive by European standards; broadband penetration figures for 2008 were just 20 million, likely as a result of this. Nevertheless, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services are gaining in popularity in Poland.

The broadcasting market in Poland is the largest in the Central and Eastern European region, with freedom of information permitted, subject to certain restrictions (mainly to do with certain types of commentary on the government). Public broadcaster, TVP operates two national channels, regional programming, and the international satellite channel TV Polonia. Polsat and TVN operate the leading commercial TV channels, with the former also offering a digital pay-TV platform.

Poland is a large country but its road infrastructure leaves a little to be desired, especially by general EU standards. Many Russian exports to Western Europe go via Poland, so it is a strategically important country in terms of is location as a gateway between the east and west of Europe. However, the EU is set to fund a major improvement of the country’s transport infrastructure, including the state railway.

The country’s national bank is the NBP (National Bank of Poland, or Narodowy Bank Polski). The NBP issues currency and governs monetary policy. There are a number of Polish banks to choose from when opening a bank account as well as several foreign banks, including Citibank, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, HSBC and Santander.

Most banks have English language websites and ATMs are widespread for the withdrawal of cash. As ever, fees and commission rates vary from bank to bank. A passport and Polish residence permit will be required when opening a bank account. Other requirements will depend on the status of the applicant.

Poland Summary Guide Contents

Poland Summary

Poland Summary Chart

Poland Residence

Taxation of Business People in Poland

Living and Doing Business in Poland

Business Forms in Poland

Latest Comments

Expat Brit

Hi,

I am facing a dilemma and would like to invite any reader to advise me.

I am a Brit who has lived outside UK since 1993- initially in Belgium (5 years) & subsequently in 4 African countries. After a year outside UK, the UK Inland Revenue confirmed my status as ‘non-resident’ for tax purposes and as I have had no income in UK, I have not completed a UK tax return for many years. I visit UK very rarely, normally for one or two weeks per year.

In May 2011, I was made redundent by my employers, who were downsizing. This coincided with a move to retire in the Netherlands, where I now have official residency (my wife is Dutch). I thought that, at 63 years of age, I would be unlikely to find suitable employment; in fact, I have not tried hard and had resigned myself to permanent (but slightly premature) retirement.

However, to my surprise, I have recently been approached (through a mutual acquaintance) by a company that wishes to use my skills on a project in the Isle of Man. The role, if & when confirmed, would see me working for about 10 days a month in Isle of Man, with about 5-7 additional days per month, working from home. Contract will be for about two years. The firm has asked me to confirm if I would prefer to be paid (and therefore be taxed) in Netherlands or Isle of Man, the idea being that I create a self-employment entity for this employment. I have no data on which to base a response. Given Isle of Man's traditional ‘low tax ‘environment, are there any benefits to declaring an income in IOM? Are there any Isle of Man residency implications? Netherlands takes a tax cut on total world wide income, and, as I have never had any contact with the Dutch authorities, I am reluctant to start such a relationship now. Do I have to declare income in both countries, with a breakdown prorata to the time spent in each jurisdiction? Should I declare income to UK Inland revenue?

If anyone has pertinent advice on these points, I’d be grateful to hear them.

TJM @ Eindhoven, NL

T. Dog

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Jersey vs. Malta??

Hi, I live in South Africa, and along with 2 business partners (one in South Africa and one in Ireland - all South African citizens though) are setting up a company that designs Smart phone applications. As they will be sold on the various platforms (none of which operate out of South Africa)we have to list our company as operating out of Ireland anyway. As such, we have decided to set up our company in the best tax country and are wanting info on whether Jersey or Malta is best? If anyone has some inside info we would really appreciate it!! Thanks!Mary

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Purchasing investment-link insurance for my staff

Would that count as income tax to my staff? And would that count as expense to my company?Michael

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Irish crisis - effects on small business?

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone 'on the ground', as it were, might be reading and able to help me...I was considering relocating my hairdressing business from the UK to Ireland before the economy started to go properly belly-up...now, not so much.

Are things as bad as they seem over there, or is it being over-hyped by the media? And is the government still keen to support small business people? Cos if not, I'll look elsewhere...

Thanks,Kate

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Living in France contracting to Australian company

I am moving full time to France in Jan 2012 where I will be working as a freelance contract engineer to a number of Australian based companies. It is my choice to move to France not a work requirement. I will be renting my house out in Austrlalia and renting a house while I am in France. I hold both EU & Austrlain citizenshiip. I am married with 2 young children. Approx total family income $100k AUD.
Do I pay tax in France or Australia or both ?
Any help or guidance would be much appreciated.France move

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