European Economic Congress and European Start-Up Days

The 10^th of May is the onset of the European Economic Congress. The meet-up of business experts, entrepreneurs and government officials, which takes place in Katowice, will span three days and feature an array of discussion panels, presentations and talks. A part of the Congress is European Start-Up Days, an event devoted to innovation and young entrepreneurs who want to change the world.

The Congress was launched with an ‘A different Europe in a different world’ debate, during which the participants (including former Prime Ministers of Poland, Czech Republic and Lithuania) discussed such issues as Europe after Brexit, the possibility of a two-speed Europe and dangers of populism and isolationism in Europe. Other events on the agenda touch on such issues as the 4th Industrial Revolution, China–CEE relations, energy security and renewable energy and the coal industry.

Mateusz Morawiecki, Polish Minister of Finance and Development, spoke on how attractive Poland and the CEE region are for foreign investment. “We do not only want to match the West. We want to surpass it” – he said. Morawiecki noted that the country’s economy is in a very good phase right now and will remain so in the upcoming years and referred to the new act on robotization the government is currently working on.

European Start-Up Days is an event during which young entrepreneurs may present their ideas, meet mentors and look for investors. The participants were chosen in a Start-Up Challenge competition. 100 start-ups represent the following areas: Human, Business & ICT, Tradition and modernity, Lifestyle, Client and Business, and Industry 4.0.

The two events end on May 12^th and have already attracted more than two thousand visitors. They were created in cooperation with the National Centre for Research and Development, Economic, Start-Up Poland Foundation, The Centre for Eastern Studies and the University in Katowice.

What This Means for Businesses in Poland

Tax policy changes in Poland have direct implications for both domestic and foreign-owned businesses. Companies operating in Poland must stay informed about regulatory developments to optimize their tax position and maintain compliance. The Polish tax system includes CIT (19% standard, 9% for small taxpayers), VAT (23% standard rate with reduced rates of 8% and 5%), and various sector-specific levies.

For international entrepreneurs and investors, understanding the Polish tax landscape is essential for business planning. Poland offers several attractive incentives including the Polish Investment Zone (up to 15 years of CIT exemption), R&D tax relief (up to 200% deduction), and the IP Box regime (5% effective CIT rate on qualified intellectual property income). Professional tax advisory can help identify the most beneficial structure for your specific situation.

The interplay between Polish domestic tax law and international tax treaties is particularly important for foreign-owned entities. Transfer pricing regulations, withholding tax provisions, and anti-avoidance rules (GAAR) require careful navigation to ensure both compliance and optimization.

If you are doing business in Poland or considering entering the Polish market, Zalewski Consulting can help. Learn more about our VAT and tax advisory, or contact us for a free consultation.