Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit Poland

The most famous British royal couple – Prince William and his wife Kate also known as Duke and Duchess – visited Poland this week. They flew to Poland on a diplomacy tour that lasted five days and included Poland as well as Germany. The royals were accompanied by their children: Prince George and Princess Charlotte. Plans for the visit had been announced in March. The short European tour was taken at the request of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

The official visit involved a meeting and lunch at the Presidential Palace with the Polish head of state Andrzej Duda and his wife Agata Kornhauser-Duda as well as a garden party in the Queen’s honor held at The Orangery of Łazienki Park (Royal Baths Park), the largest and most-known park in the Polish capital. The royal couple and their children were staying at the nearby Belweder Palace, a former seat of Polish monarchs.

The Duke and Duchess were offered a glimpse into Warsaw’s past as well as future. They were shown around the Warsaw Uprising Museum, spoke to war veterans and lit candles at a memorial to honor the ones who had given up their lives protecting the city. They also visited the Warsaw Spire, a meeting place for young Polish entrepreneurs, and learned about one of the most interesting Polish innovations, such as Whisbear, a baby toy that is also a sleep aid. They also had a conversation with Polish students who study in the UK.

Day two of the royal visit was spent in Gdańsk, where William and Kate visited Stutthoff Concentration Camp and Gdansk Shakespeare Theatre, and spoke to former Polish President Lech Wałęsa, the leader of the Solidarity Movement. On Wednesday, William and Kate moved on to the second leg of their tour and headed to Germany where they spent three days and met with Chancellor Angela Merkel.

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.