Top 5 Mistakes When Starting a Business in Poland and How to Avoid Them

The right approach to business registration in Poland helps avoid unnecessary costs, delays, and complications in future company management. This article will examine the main registration mistakes made by aspiring entrepreneurs and provide recommendations on how to avoid them.

We will help you start a business in Poland and register it correctly.

Poland is becoming an increasingly attractive country for doing business. Its proximity to the European market, stable economy, affordable taxation, and relatively simple company registration make it popular among foreign entrepreneurs. However, despite its accessibility, many make mistakes when registering a company, which can lead to financial and legal problems, as well as delays in the registration process.

Mistake 1: Choosing the wrong legal form

The first and most important step is choosing a legal entity. Several types of companies are available in Poland, the most common of which are:

  • A sole proprietorship (IP) is a form of sole proprietorship suitable for small businesses and freelancers. The ease of registration and minimal costs make this form of business popular, but the entrepreneur bears full personal liability for the company's debts.
  • Spółka z oo (OOO) is a limited liability company, ideal for small and medium-sized businesses. Owners are not personally liable for the company's obligations, but share capital and accounting are required.
  • Spółka komandytowa, spółka akcyjna and others – are used less frequently, but can be suitable for specific tasks, such as large-scale investments.

Choosing the wrong business structure can lead to tax-related mistakes, administrative complications, or additional costs when starting a business. For example, if you choose to open an LLC instead of a sole proprietorship for a small business, you'll have to bear the costs of an accountant and annual reports. And if you choose a sole proprietorship for a risky project, the entrepreneur will be personally liable for debts.

How to avoid the mistake:

  • Assess business goals: short-term and long-term.
  • Explore the tax implications of each business form, including tax rates, social security contributions, and reporting requirements.
  • Consult a lawyer before submitting an application for registration, especially if you plan to attract investors.

Error 2: Incorrect selection of PKD codes

PKD (Classifier of Activities) codes determine the types of business a company can conduct. Errors at this stage can lead to:

  • The company will not be able to obtain the required tax numbers or will face additional taxes.
  • Additional licenses and permits will be required to conduct business.
  • It will be necessary to make changes to the company's charter, which will require time and expense.

Selecting an inappropriate PKD can impact access to subsidies, grants, and loan programs. Some activities require specific qualifications or special permits, without which the company will not be able to operate.

How to avoid the mistake:

  • Carefully study the PKD and select all applicable codes.
  • Ensure that the codes selected correspond to the actual activity.
  • Check whether the selected PKD requires additional permits and licenses.
  • Consult with an accountant or lawyer when choosing codes.

Error 3: Errors in the company's articles of association (for Sp. z oo)

A company's charter is the fundamental document of a legal entity. Errors in its drafting can lead to legal disputes, financial losses, and complications when changing the founders.

Common problems:

  • The rules for participants' exit are not defined, which may lead to conflicts.
  • There is no clear distribution of shares, which is important when attracting investors.
  • There are no provisions regarding the procedure for distributing profits, which creates uncertainty among the founders.

How to avoid the mistake:

  • Draft the company's charter with the participation of an experienced lawyer.
  • Include all key points: the rights and obligations of participants, methods of exiting the business, and the decision-making procedure.
  • Check the compliance of the charter with the requirements of the national court registry.

Mistake 4: Problems with taxes and accounting

Some of the most common registration errors are related to taxes. For example:

  • The tax system was chosen incorrectly, which may lead to inflated taxes.
  • The taxpayer's registration deadlines have been violated, which entails fines.
  • Declarations were not submitted on time, which threatens additional inspections.

Working without an accountant can lead to fines and lost money. The Polish tax system is complex, and without professional assistance, it's easy to make mistakes.

How to avoid the mistake:

  • Learn about the Polish tax system, including types of taxes (CIT, PIT, VAT).
  • Hire a qualified accountant to help you optimize your taxes.
  • Keep up with reporting and tax payment deadlines to avoid penalties.

Error 5: Incorrectly opening a bank account

Doing business in Poland requires a corporate bank account. Using a personal account for business can lead to problems with the tax office and banks.

Entrepreneurs also often face account opening refusals due to insufficient registration documents. Banks may request additional information, conduct audits, and even refuse service.

How to avoid the mistake:

  • Choose a bank based on your business needs, paying attention to fees and the convenience of online banking.
  • Prepare all necessary documents for registration in advance.
  • Make sure that the company owner has a PESEL, as it is often required for identification by the bank.
  • If necessary, issue a power of attorney if the account is opened by a representative.

We will help you start a business in Poland and register it correctly.

Conclusion

Mistakes when registering a business in Poland can cost time, money, and even render the business impossible. Therefore, it's important to prepare thoroughly: choose the right legal entity, draft the company's articles of association correctly, consider tax considerations, and select a reliable bank.

To avoid problems, it's recommended to consult with a lawyer, accountant, and company registration specialists in advance. This approach will ensure a successful start and stable growth of your business in Poland.

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Damien Vice

02/11/2025

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Andrii Melnychuk

26/08/2025

I highly recommend Łatwy Start! Thanks to them, my two kids and I received 3-year residence cards without any stress. Special thanks to manager Kristina — she was extremely helpful and even managed to speed up the process for my children. Excellent service, very satisfied!

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Anton Mezhuiev

26/08/2025

Чудова робота, все відбулося швидко і дуже професійно, з чіткими інструкціями і нотатками про ті документи, що вимагалося надати з моєї сторони — і як саме їх правильно заповнювати. Запис на подачу і видача самої карти зайняла набагато меньше часу, ніж спочатку очікувалося (перше звернення у січні, подача документів і відбитків в березні — а в серпні вже отримав пластік).

Брав пакет з повним супроводом — ні разу не пожалкував, всім рекомендую — і дуже дякую всій компанії і зокрема менеджеру Кристині!

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Anastasiya Balotnikava

26/08/2025

Недавно получила вторую карту с Łatwy Start, как и в первый раз – все было отлично, положительная децизия по итогу.

Благодарю менеджера Кристину за работу и своевременное напоминание про все нужные шаги, довольна совместной работой ✨

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Inna

03/08/2025

3 раза членами семьи сотрудничали с компанией по получению карт побыта в разное время и работали с разными специалистами. До этого были попытки с другими компаниями , но именно высочайший уровень профессионализма Latwy Start сделал нас постоянными клиентами. Каждый раз самое благоприятное впечатление за высокий уровень профессиональной работы и моральную поддержку. Особая отдельная благодарность Ольге! Ольга очень помогла, всегда на связи по любым вопросам, отличные профессиональные советы на каждом этапе, начиная с первого общения еще до заключения договора и до успешного получения карты. Как ангел-хранитель «провела за ручку» через все сложные перепитиии, поддержала словом и делом. Огромная Благодарность Ольге и всей компании! Процветания вам и хоррших клиентов!

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Oleksandr Drobyshev

15/07/2025

Все супер

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Yevgeniy Postebailo

14/07/2025

Всё понравилось, везде сопроводили, всё обьяснили.
Была пара непонятных вещей, но не стесняйтесь спрашивать — всегда отвечают и консультируют.
Рекомендую обращаться.

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Aliaksei Seniukovich

11/07/2025

Хочу выразить огромную благодарность Кристине из Łatwy Start за профессиональную помощь в получении вида на жительство в Польше. Благодаря её опыту, внимательности и доброжелательному отношению весь процесс прошёл легко и без лишнего стресса. Кристина всегда была на связи, подробно отвечала на все вопросы и помогала на каждом этапе оформления документов. Искренне рекомендую её услуги всем, кто ищет надёжную поддержку в решении миграционных вопросов в Польше!

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Gennady Bakunovich

11/07/2025

I had a really positive experience with Łatwy Start. Manager Kristina was supportive and always ready to help with any questions. I got my temporary residence permit without any issues and with minimal effort on my part. I really appreciate their work and highly recommend them 🙌

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