In the first half of this year, 21.5 1000 applications concerning the establishment of a single-person business were received in the CEIDG registry from persons who are nationals of another country. This is 14.4% of all applications in this area. Most of them were Ukrainians – nearly 17,000. The Belarusians, from whom more than a 1000 applications came, are next in this ranking. The top 3 rankings are complemented by people with Polish and Ukrainian citizenship. 225 calls came from them.
Not only for Poles
According to data provided by the Ministry of improvement and Technology (MRIT), in the first half of 2025 the CEIDG registry (Central registry and Information on economical Activity) received 149,1 1000 applications concerning the establishment of a single-person business (early – 150,7 thousand). The vast majority of them were submitted by Polish citizens, from January to June this year – 127,6 1000 (previously – 128,9 thousand). Thus, 21.5 1000 notifications concern people who have a different nationality, i.e. 14.4% of the full (a year before that it was 21.8 thousand). It besides mentions applicants with dual citizenship, e.g. Polish and Ukrainian or Polish and German.
– Almost 1 in the seventh company is founded by a individual outside the ellipse of Polish citizens only. This shows that our country remains attractive for doing business. This means benefits for the economy, including greater diversity, the improvement of local markets and progressive integration. In addition, the activity of these entrepreneurs contributes to expanding taxation and contribution revenues, which supports the financing of public services and the stableness of the fiscal system," comments Alicja Woźniak of Ars Aequi.
In turn Mateusz Lewandowski from the Department of Analysis and government of the Employers of Poland draws attention to the percent of the aforementioned JDG. Although it did not change from 2024, it is inactive hard to talk of a satisfactory trend. As the expert emphasizes, the Polish economy faces many risks associated with the demographic crisis and the shortage of workers. The work of immigrants is so peculiarly crucial present to keep the competitiveness of our country. It is crucial that foreigners not only supply work on the basis of employment contracts or conclude civilian law contracts, but besides decide to conduct business.
– 14.4% of the proposals are not limited, although we do not see, for example, dynamic growth. This percent shows that our marketplace is interesting to foreigners. They open, among others, restaurants and food stores characteristic of their cultural circles. My observations show that these are reasonably well-functioning businesses," says Adrian Parol, restructuring advisor and legal advisor.
Ukrainian business
Among the foreigners who in the first half of 2025 submitted the above-mentioned application, the majority were Ukrainians – 16.7 1000 (a year earlier – 16.5 thousand). As Mateusz Lewandowski points out, people from Ukraine are the largest group of foreigners in Poland. It was so both before February 24, 2022, and so it is today. This naturally affects the number of JDGs they assume. The expert adds that Ukraine is our neighbour. This besides affects the attractiveness of doing business in Poland.
– JDG is the simplicity of earning opportunities for Ukrainians, without the request to get various permits, permits, validation of diplomas, etc. They are able to rapidly rise funds in Poland. They decide, due to the fact that the value of hryvna and purchasing power of the average wallet of the Ukrainian household is now much lower than any time ago. We frequently supply the services desired by the market. We see, among others, entities active in construction or another services related to residents – explains Dr. Bartłomiej J. Gabryś from the Department of Entrepreneurship at the University of Economics in Katowice.
According to Alicja Wozniak, nearly 17 1000 applications for the establishment of JDG by Ukrainians in the first half of 2025 are a consequence that can be described as moderately high. At the same time, a tiny increase in the rd suggests maintaining the trend alternatively than its dynamic acceleration. According to an expert from Ars Aequi, 2 main factors have an impact on this scale of popularity. Ukrainians are increasingly uncovering themselves in Polish realities. cognition of language, legal strategy and procedures makes JDG guidance more accessible. In addition, the ongoing war inactive prompts any people to search professional and life stableness in Poland.
– As a consequence of the war, many Ukrainians were in our area. They besides want to conduct business activities, among others due to the sealing of the system. They decide to run tiny restaurants or supply transport services. They do not intend to function in a grey area that gradually shrinks. They definitely like to make money legally," adds Adrian Parol.
Neighborhood option
In the following places are Belarusians – 1.4 1000 (a year before – 1.8 thousand), as well as people with Polish and Ukrainian citizenship – 225 (195). There are inactive Germany – 197 (previously – 242), people with Polish and German citizenship – 193 (196), and then Romania – 179 (233). Behind them are people with Polish and Belarusian citizenship – 171 (I.e. 165), Russians – 168 (175), Bulgarians – 144 (161), as well as Italians – 132 (110).
– In the case of the Belarusians, we can fundamentally talk about the same situation as with the Ukrainians, i.e. there is besides cultural and linguistic similarity. As far as the Germans are concerned, deep economical ties between these countries are important,” explains Mateusz Lewandowski.
As Dr. Bartłomiej J. Gabryś points out, geographical proximity is simply a very crucial component of economical emigration. It makes it comparatively easier for individuals to find themselves in Poland. They do not gotta devote much of the money they have received to travel to their home. This separation is little painful for them. And if something undesirable happens on 1 side or the another side of the border, they can respond comparatively quickly. This applies not only to Ukrainians.
– People with dual citizenship frequently have social and cultural capital that facilitates their smooth functioning in 2 systems. However, the presence in the list of Romanians, Bulgarians or Italians may indicate that not only geographical proximity or political situation are important. It is besides crucial to belong to the EU's single market. Often, the aforementioned connotation is besides caused by a household situation. However, not all EU citizens are likewise economically active in our country, says Alicja Wozniak.
