Poland’s Economy Still Going Strong

According to the recent data published by the Central Statistical Office (GUS), Poland’s Economy is expanding at the rate of 5 percent. This is excellent news for the Polish government. What is more, the high rate of GDP growth has been rather stable for several months now. The expansion is driven mainly by strong consumption. Due to good retail sales, VAT revenue is also reaching new heights.

In a recent interview, Jerzy Kwieciński, Polish Minister of Investment and Development, stressed that Poland is a country that is developing fast, in a continuous and balanced manner. He expects that in the months to come Poland’s Economy will keep expanding at the rate of 4.5 to 5 percent.

Although the outlook for 2018 remains positive, economic experts warn that in the upcoming years, Poland’s Economy will start cooling off. There are indications that we are currently at the end of a prosperity period. For example, the Purchasing Managers’ Index, which is an indicator of economic “health”, recently dropped to 51,4.

International Monetary Fund predicts that Poland’s Economy in the upcoming years will expand at a rate of a little over 3 percent. Polish Bank Association warns that the banking sector in Europe is expecting European economies’ GDP growth to move southward and that we should prepare for a period of recession.

Experts from the Warsaw School of Economics (SGH) express a similar opinion. The claim is that the entire Europe, and the CEE region in particular, are to experience a recession. The early signs of that which can be observed are a slowdown of consumption and industrial output. It is not yet certain what will be the fallout of the trade war between the United States and China recently launched by American President Donald Trump.

In the draft budget bill, the government predicts the country’s GDP growth will be 3.8 percent in 2019 and 3.7 percent in 2020.

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 tax advisory services in Poland, or contact us for a free consultation.