Business immigration to Europe Consultants ›› Companies and Partnerships in Poland

Companies and Partnerships in Poland

As usual in Poland, it is possible to incorporate in one of the following fashions:

1) A limited liability company (with the suffix SP.Z.O.O)

The minimum number of shareholders is one. There is no maximum number of shareholders. The company is not permitted to engage in certain specific areas of operations (such as insurance and banking). The minimum equity of the company is PLN 5,000. The minimum price per share is - PLN 50. It is compulsory to register with the authorities within 6 months of the date of incorporation. The company may not offer shares to the public.

2) A joint stock company (with the suffix S.A.)

The minimum number of founders - 3. The company is licensed to engage in all areas of operations. There is no minimum or maximum limit in regard to the number of shareholders. The minimum equity of the company - PLN 100,000, divided into shares with equal nominal value. It is compulsory to register with the authorities within 3 months of the date of incorporation. The company may offer shares to the public.

3) Partnerships in Poland

Partnerships are divided into two categories - private partnerships and trading partnerships. Trading partnerships are divided into two categories: a) registered partnerships; b) limited partnerships. No partnership category is available to a foreign resident.

The most popular form amongst polish businesses is the Limited Liability Company. This is due to its flexibility. It can be set up even by one natural person. There is no maximum number of shareholders. Nevertheless, loosen formalities cause that Ltd.'s cannot lead activites on certain fields like banking or insurances. They also cannot offer shares to the public, which of course does not mean they cannot be sold on the free market. The Ltd. company has to register office in Poland. The incorporation and registration process takes about three weeks time. There are generally no restrictions with regards to the incorporation or purchase of the companies by the foreign natural persons as well as legal persons.

European Commission Council of Europe European Migration Network Migration Policy Institute International Organization for Migration